Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Honda CR-V, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags143
- Electrical system95
- Exterior lighting60
- Engine and engine cooling58
- Equipment38
- Seat belts25
- Vehicle speed control25
- Power train24
- Seats24
- Unknown or other22
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 48 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 55 2002 CR-V vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 37 people died inside them, and 15 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2002 Honda CR-V failed the safety check 1.86% of the time — 7% less often than the average 2002 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 169,368 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2002 Honda CR-V cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp) and 2.0 petrol (108 kW, 145 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 231 |
| 2.0 petrol | 108 kW 145 hp | 23 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
259 first registered in 2002 are on Dutch roads; 13% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde168
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)74
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld68
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt65
- Licht- donkerscheiding dimlicht onduidelijk64
- Band onvoldoende profiel52
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht50
- Schijf-, trommelrem loopt niet vrij45
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
2,183 cars built in 2002 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 1,290 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 3,809 of these cars first registered in 2002 took their annual MOT test. 52% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2002 the figure was 58%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2002 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 25.0% | 20.8% |
| Suspension | 21.5% | 15.8% |
| Brakes | 14.2% | 13.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.4% | 6.9% |
| Visibility | 10.3% | 7.7% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 8.1% | 9.7% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
5 of these cars first registered in 2002 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 276,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
1,167 2002 cars are on the New Zealand register; 23% arrived as used imports, 76% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 11.0–11.4 L/100 km (about 21 mpg US), CO₂ 253–262 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| CR-V 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.0 | 9.7 | 11.0 |
| CR-V 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.5 | 10.2 | 11.4 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
11 Transport Canada recalls for the 2002 Honda CR-V.
| 2019323 28 Jun 2019 | Airbag Issue: On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the p… |
| 2019117 7 Mar 2019 | Airbag Issue: On certain vehicles, there could be a problem with the driver-front airbag inflator. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal.… |
| 2015225 27 May 2015 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inf… |
| 2014567 15 Dec 2014 | Airbag Honda Canada is conducting a voluntary Safety Improvement Campaign concerning the driver's airbag inflator on certain vehicles equipped with Takata airbags. Hon… |
| 2014242 20 Jun 2014 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the passenger (frontal) airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause th… |
| 2013111 10 Apr 2013 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the passenger (frontal) airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause t… |
| 2011419 5 Dec 2011 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the driver's airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure. If an affected airbag deploys, the increased internal pressure may… |
| 2010042 11 Feb 2010 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the driver's airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure. If an affected airbag deploys, the increased internal pressure may… |
| 2003275 10 Nov 2003 | Other On certain vehicles, metal particles in the key cylinder body could interfere with interlock lever operation, making it possible to remove the ignition key with… |
| 2003181 5 Aug 2003 | Other On certain vehicles, excessive corrosion of the shift cable linkage may prevent the automatic transmission from shifting to Park. If the vehicle operator fails… |
| 2001281 3 Dec 2001 | Seats And Restraints Certain vehicles equipped with automatic seat belt buckle pre-tensioners. The CR-V is equipped with two seat belt pre-tensioners in both front passenger seating… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
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. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
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, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
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 bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
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 January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda Element vehicles manufactured June 25, 2002, to July 31, 2003, and 2003 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured November 26, 2001, to August 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
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 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
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 geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
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.
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, HONDA INFORMED THE AGENCY THAT IT WAS INCLUDING AN ADDITIONAL 820,789 VEHICLES INCLUDING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 PILOTS AND MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 CIVICS. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES BEING RECALLED IS NOW 1,375,217. DUE TO TENSION FROM THE COMBINATION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS, WEAR ON THE SURFACE OF THE ELECTRICAL TERMINAL CAN OCCUR, YIELDING COPPER OXIDE, WHICH INCREASES ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE. INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE MAY CAUSE THE TERMINAL ENDS TO MELT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS OF THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG WAS INCORRECTLY WIRED.
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."
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.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SEAT ANCHORAGE NUT STRENGTH IS INSUFFICIENT BECAUSE THE NUTS WERE INSTALLED IMPROPERLY.
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 OF THE MECHANISM.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Honda told its dealers about the 2002 Honda CR-V: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 638109 | SUBJECT REGARDING TRAILER HITCH WIRING. *TT |
| 638072 | ON SOME VEHICLES, THE GAUGES NEEDLE SHAKES WHEN CYCLING IGNITION SWITCH. *TT |
| 638058 | SUBJECT REGARDING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0336 AFTER ENGINE REPAIRS. *TT |
| 638014 | SUBJECT REGARDING AIR CONDITION INOPERATIVE AFTER FOG LIGHT INSTALLATION. *TT |
| 637982 | SUBJECT REGARDING SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYING ON OR FLASHING. *TT |
| 637976 | SUBJECT REGARDING READING READINESS CODE STATUS WITH MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP. *TT |
| 637970 | SUBJECT REGARDING ROOF RACK WIND NOISE. *TT |
| 637967 | INFORMATION ON SERVICING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CLICK NOISE FROM DASH WHEN STOPPING. *TT |
| 637955 | SUBJECT REGARDING FLEX PLATE BOLT TORQUE SPECIFICATION. *TT |
| 637950 | INFORMATION CONCERNING EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM FUNCTION TEST ERROR MESSAGE. *TT |
| 637948 | SUBJECT REGARDING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1164, OXYGEN SENSOR RANGE PERFORMANCE. *TT |
| 637678 | SUBJECT REGARDING TRAILER HITCH WIRING. *TT |
| 637665 | INFORMATION ON SERVICING SRS DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 6-7 AND / OR 7-2 INTERNAL FAILURE OF SRS UNIT. *TT |
| 637661 | SUBJECT REGARDING ANTI-SKID BRAKE SYSTEM WHEEL SPEED SENSOR RESISTANCE TEST. *TT |
| 637023 | SUBJECT REGARDING ANTI-THEFT RADIO SERIAL NUMBER. *TT |
| 637013 | ON SOME VEHICLES, THE GAUGE NEEDLE SHAKES WHEN CYCLING IGNITION SWITCH. *TT |
| 637006 | INFORMATION ON DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0336 (CKP SENSOR INTERMITTENT INTERRUPTION) SETS AFTER ENGINE REPAIRS. *TT |
| 636753 | INFORMATION ON TESTING FOR INTERAL LEAKS WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1456 OR P1457. *TT |
| 636751 | SUBJECT REGARDING TRAILER HITCH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. *TT |
| 636726 | SUBJECT REGARDING FOG LIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL CONNECTORS. *TT |
| 635785 | THE SIDE AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR COMES ON. *TT SUPERSEDES 02-054, DATED OCTOBER 8, 2002. *TT |
| 635783 | A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP IS ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0341 IS SET. *TT |
| 633661 | SUBJECT REGARDING A CLICK NOISE FROM THE DASH BEHIND THE SHIFT LEVER. *TT |
| 633625 | THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1164 SET. *TT |
| 633622 | CONCERNS WITH THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1457. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating
Low Beam Headlights Stop Working
Driver's Power Window Master Switch
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation