HONDA CR-V · model year

2002 HONDA CR-V

660 NHTSA complaints, 64 crash reports, and 16 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002HONDACR-V carries 660 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 64 crashes, 21 fires, 61 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 CR-V is air bags with 122 filings, followed by electrical system (62) and exterior lighting (46). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 16 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 77 investigation files overlapping the 2002 CR-V, and 9 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

660
Complaints
64
Crashes
21
Fires
61
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

660 filings

Crashes Reported

64 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS122
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM62
EXTERIOR LIGHTING46
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER29
SEATS23
UNKNOWN OR OTHER22
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL20
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING19
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM19
SEAT BELTS18
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH12
SUSPENSION11
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS11
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL10

Recalls (16)

12V13600030/03/2012

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 CR-V; MODEL YEAR 2003 THROUGH 2005 PILOT; AND MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 CIVIC VEHICLES. IN MARCH 2012, HONDA FILED A DEFECT REPORT TO RECALL CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 CR-V AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 PILOT VEHICLES. IN AUGUST 2012,

03V27400029/07/2003

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE SHIFT CABLE LINKAGE COULD PREVENT THE DRIVER FROM SHIFTING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO PARK.

15V32000028/05/2015

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acur

03V42200027/10/2003

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, METAL PARTICLES IN THE KEY CYLINDER BODY COULD INTERFERE WITH THE INTERLOCK LEVER OPERATION, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO "PARK."

19V50100027/06/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles.

19V49900027/06/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. The

01V35100026/11/2001

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT PRETENSIONS. THE CR-V IS EQUIPPED WITH TWO SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS - RETRACTOR AND BUCKLE - IN BOTH THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATING POSITIONS. SOME BUCKLE PRETENSIONERS USE A PART THAT RESTRICTS THE FULL MOTION O

18V26800026/04/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air b

02V25100017/09/2002

SEATS

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SEAT ANCHORAGE NUT STRENGTH IS INSUFFICIENT BECAUSE THE NUTS WERE INSTALLED IMPROPERLY.

15V37000015/06/2015

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to

07E10400011/12/2007

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDER

20V76800010/12/2020

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2002-2006 CR-V vehicles. Moisture may enter the driver side power window master switch, causing the switch to fail or melt.

04V25500007/06/2004

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS OF THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG WAS INCORRECTLY WIRED.

19V18200006/03/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV

12V48600005/10/2012

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Honda is recalling certain model year 2002-2006 CR-V passenger vehicles, manufactured from February 19, 2002, through July 28, 2006. The driver-side power window switch may fail or melt.

14V70000004/11/2014

AIR BAGS

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in ge

Recent Complaints

20240423AIR BAGS

My 2002 Honda CRV's ENTIRE Passenger Side Airbag Assembly was REPLACED on 11-20-2019, per Honda. This was done as (per Honda) the Inflator bolt was broken and the applicable part to remedy the recall would not be available for approximately 3 months. An open recall (NHTSA Recall # 19V-501) from 06-27-2019 still is showing on my vehicle - If the ENTIRE Passenger Side Airbag Assembly was replaced on 11-20-2019, there should be no open NHTSA recall on my vehicle issued prior to 11-20-2019.

20240205SEAT BELTS

My front driver side seatbelt is not working properly and never has. I've had trouble getting it to roll into position instead it gets stuck outside the car door.When trying to find it to buckle up. When I unbuckle the seatbelt it Will not roll back into position and when I try to pull to get it to click onto I have trouble getting it to clasp. I've asked the Honda dealership if they could replace it for me without a charge they said no they could not. They suggested making a report and possibly getting special permission to replace it.

20231013TIRES

The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V equipped with Primewell Tires, Tire Line: PF850, Tire Size: 205/70/R15, DOT Number: Y9CDCJTX. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, the rear driver's side tire became flat. While inspecting the tire it was discovered that the tire had develop a crack which extended from the sidewall to the top of the tire. The contact stated that the same failure had previously occurred with the rear passenger’s side tire. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The tire failure mileage was 20,000. The vehicle failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

Mileage: 20,000

20230905AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that SRS air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side air bag needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. Additionally, the contact stated that the front passenger's side seat belt and the rear middle seat belt buckles were not latching securely as designed. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 01V351000 (Seat Belts) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

20230905SEAT BELTS

The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that SRS air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side air bag needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. Additionally, the contact stated that the front passenger's side seat belt and the rear middle seat belt buckles were not latching securely as designed. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 01V351000 (Seat Belts) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

20230610SEATS

Driver seat rocks like a rocking chair. Cannot be repaired without replacing rails and seat.

20221101AIR BAGS

The contact's husband owned a 2002, 2009 and 2012 Honda CR-V. The contact received unknown recall notifications and post cards, and she would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.

20220825VISIBILITY

The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that when his wife opened the driver’s side door, the driver’s side power window master switch began to release a white smoke. The contact stated that eventually the smoke dissipated. Prior to the failure, the front passenger’s side window was rolled down and could not be rolled up after the failure. The contact initially called the manufacturer and was informed that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V768000 (Visibility, Electrical System) which he linked to the failure. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer where they replaced the power window master switch; however, the repair did not correct the failure. The contact was then given an estimate to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.

Mileage: 178,000

20220825ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that when his wife opened the driver’s side door, the driver’s side power window master switch began to release a white smoke. The contact stated that eventually the smoke dissipated. Prior to the failure, the front passenger’s side window was rolled down and could not be rolled up after the failure. The contact initially called the manufacturer and was informed that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V768000 (Visibility, Electrical System) which he linked to the failure. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer where they replaced the power window master switch; however, the repair did not correct the failure. The contact was then given an estimate to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.

Mileage: 178,000

20220819UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Shaking at different speeds wheels feel like they are going to fly off crv. Torque converter shuttering cause tires to shake uncontrollable. Torque converter shakes so bad causes other problems with crv. This major safety issue been for years with Honda. Honda knows it. They just passing time. Then to fix it solve the problem for hundreds even thousands of people There transmission is flawed because their so many on the road they won't recall a transmission because the money. They scammed people . Even if you put new transmission or torque converter you end up with the same problem because it's poorly made. No one should have to drive a vehicle that shakes and makes the wheels feel like they going to fall off. If you don't find that major safety issue then this department isn't doing it's job.. stop letting these car mandatories get away with bad vehicles.

20220819WHEELS

Shaking at different speeds wheels feel like they are going to fly off crv. Torque converter shuttering cause tires to shake uncontrollable. Torque converter shakes so bad causes other problems with crv. This major safety issue been for years with Honda. Honda knows it. They just passing time. Then to fix it solve the problem for hundreds even thousands of people There transmission is flawed because their so many on the road they won't recall a transmission because the money. They scammed people . Even if you put new transmission or torque converter you end up with the same problem because it's poorly made. No one should have to drive a vehicle that shakes and makes the wheels feel like they going to fall off. If you don't find that major safety issue then this department isn't doing it's job.. stop letting these car mandatories get away with bad vehicles.

20220819POWER TRAIN

Shaking at different speeds wheels feel like they are going to fly off crv. Torque converter shuttering cause tires to shake uncontrollable. Torque converter shakes so bad causes other problems with crv. This major safety issue been for years with Honda. Honda knows it. They just passing time. Then to fix it solve the problem for hundreds even thousands of people There transmission is flawed because their so many on the road they won't recall a transmission because the money. They scammed people . Even if you put new transmission or torque converter you end up with the same problem because it's poorly made. No one should have to drive a vehicle that shakes and makes the wheels feel like they going to fall off. If you don't find that major safety issue then this department isn't doing it's job.. stop letting these car mandatories get away with bad vehicles.

20220707FireAIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2002 Honda CR-V. The contact had received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V501000 (Air Bags) and had the passenger air bag serviced under the recall at the dealer. On July 4, 2022, the contact heard a loud boom which she assumed was a firework; however, her neighbor informed her that her vehicle had caught fire. The fire department was called and the fire was extinguished. A fire report was filed; no injuries were reported and no property was damaged. A fire technician was sent to her home to investigate the fire; his investigation led him to believe that the passenger air bag had caught fire which caused the failure. The technician suggested the contact call an engineer to officially determine the cause of the fire. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The dealer was also notified of the failure and they informed her that an investigation would be performed. The vehicle was destroyed by the fire. The failure mileage was ap

Mileage: 230,000

20220316ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Door locks. Doors won't lock or unlock while inside or outside of vehicle

20220316UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Door locks. Doors won't lock or unlock while inside or outside of vehicle

20210512ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THERE ARE THREE NHTSA RECALLS FOR 2002 HONDA CRV - 12V486000, 20V76800 AND 03V422000. HONDA SAYS MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THESE RECALLS, BUT I HAVING ALL THESE ISSUES. I'VE CALLED HONDA AND SPOKEN TO A CSR, AND I'M AT THE DEALERS RIGHT NOW. THEY WON'T HONOR THESE RECALLS, AND ARE CHARGING ME FOR DIAGNOSTICS.

Mileage: 192,000

20210504ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE AS NORMAL. PARKED IN A PARKING SPOT WAITING FOR MY PARTNER WITH THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. WHILE LEAVING I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND WHEN I WENT TO ROLL DOWN THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW USING THE DRIVERS PWMS THE WINDOW WOULD NOT MOVE AND THE SWITCH BEGAN TO SMOKE. I CUT THE POWER AND REMOVED THE FUSES FOR THE POWER WINDOW CIRCUIT TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE. DID NOT TAKE ANY PHOTOS OF THE SMOKE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE PWMS CATCHING FIRE IN 2002-2006 HONDA CR-VS, WHEN I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM THEY REFUSED WARRANTY SERVICE.

Mileage: 194,000

20210326AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE THREE OPEN RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V370000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO LOCAL HONDA DEALER NEARBY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A SERVICE COMPANY IN PUERTO RICO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20210206AIR BAGS

AIR BAG DON'T WORK

20201021FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A GRAYISH-WHITE SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE, THE CONTACT LOST COMPLETE POWER STEERING ALSO WITHOUT WARNING. WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE INTO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AS THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BOOMING SOUND EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD SNAPPED IN HALF WHICH THE MECHANIC LINKED TO HIS DEFECTIVE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR. THE CONTACT INITIALLY EMAILED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THE DEFECT AND A REPRESENTATIVE CALLED HIM BACK TO INFORM HIM THAT A LETTER IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE WOULD BE SENT TO HIM. THE CONTACT HAD YET TO RECEIVE THE LETTER. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,137. *LN*DT *TR CONSUMER STATED AC WAS REPAIRED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER IN 2007 WITH 56K MILES. NOT EVEN A YEAR LAT

Mileage: 116,137

Compare 2002HONDACR-V to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 9 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 HONDA CR-V have?
The 2002 HONDA CR-V has 660 NHTSA complaints, 64 crashes, 21 fires, 61 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 HONDA CR-V?
Yes, the 2002 HONDA CR-V has 16 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 HONDA CR-V?
The most-complained component for the 2002 HONDA CR-V is AIR BAGS with 122 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Is the 2002 HONDA CR-V safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.