MYRModel Year Report

2002 Honda CR-V

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Honda CR-V
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Honda CR-V Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1997: 108 complaints 1997 1998: 128 complaints 1999: 127 complaints 2000: 129 complaints 2001: 142 complaints 2001 2002: 515 complaints 2002 2003: 467 complaints 2004: 501 complaints 2005: 478 complaints 2005 2006: 398 complaints 2007: 884 complaints 2008: 960 complaints 2009: 386 complaints 2009 2010: 480 complaints 2011: 551 complaints 2012: 399 complaints 2013: 381 complaints 2013 2014: 585 complaints 2015: 668 complaints 2016: 388 complaints 2017: 1729 complaints 2017 2018: 2080 complaints 2019: 1060 complaints 2020: 330 complaints 2021: 307 complaints 2021 2022: 233 complaints 2023: 504 complaints 2024: 362 complaints 2025: 228 complaints 2025 2026: 96 complaints 2026
2002: 515 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1997108
1998128
1999127
2000129
2001142
2002515
2003467
2004501
2005478
2006398
2007884
2008960
2009386
2010480
2011551
2012399
2013381
2014585
2015668
2016388
20171729
20182080
20191060
2020330
2021307
2022233
2023504
2024362
2025228
202696

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 24%

24% of complaints: air bags — 122 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

MY 35 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN A SINGLE AUTO ACCIDENT IN HER 2002 HONDA CRV ON JAN. 6 IN WYTHEVILLE, VA RETURNING FROM KNOXVILLE, TN TO FREDERICK, MD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120421

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL REGARDING THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120322

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED TS

NHTSA ODI report, 20021025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 62 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

CAR IN DRIVEWAY. NOT DRIVEN FOR 3 DAYS, JUST NOT NEEDED BUT WORKING. DURING DAY, CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE INSPECTORS WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE DUE TO THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE. THEY BELIEVED IT COULD HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190709

ON MAY 5, 2012, THE WINDOW CONTROL PANEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY 2002 CRV SPARKED IN FLAME AND EMITTED SMOKE AND FUME THAT SMELLED LIKE BURNT PLASTIC AND TOXIC CHEMICALS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120507

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 9%

9% of complaints: exterior lighting — 46 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
EQUIPMENT 6%

6% of complaints: equipment — 29 distinct reports on file.

SEATS 4%

4% of complaints: seats — 23 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20011114 — seat belts

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE PRETENSIONERS. CUSTOMERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A RENTAL CAR. OWNERS WERE ORIGINALLY CONTACTED ON NOVEMBER 14, 2001. A FOLLOWUP OWNER NOTIFICATION LET

Campaign 01V351000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 515
R 20020813 — seats

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

Remedy: TELEPHONE CALLS WERE MADE TO EACH OWNER AND THE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED.

Campaign 02V251000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030415 — PE (closed 20030909)

IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM

R 20030819 — power train

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A NEW CORROSION-RESISTANT CONTROL PIN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 19, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Campaign 03V274000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030909 — EA (closed 20031113)

IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM

R 20031103 — electrical system

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 TRANS

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND TEST IGNITION SWITCHES FOR CONTAMINATION INTERFERENCE. ANY SWITCHES THAT FAIL THE TEST WILL BE REPAIRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON NOVENBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTA

Campaign 03V422000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040616 — air bags

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE WIRING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Campaign 04V255000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080115 — visibility

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

Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIM

Campaign 07E104000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20110411 — EA (closed 20121024)

Driver's Power Window Master Switch

I 20110429 — PE (closed 20110923)

Low Beam Headlights Stop Working

I 20110912 — EA (closed 20120917)

Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating

R 20120427 — exterior lighting

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 CER

Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE LOW BEAM TERMINAL HARNESS OR REPLACE THE LIGHTING SWITCH AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE ORIGINAL RECALL BEGAN IN APRIL 2012. OWNERS OF VEHICL

Campaign 12V136000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20121102 — electrical system, visibility

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.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the switches, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on November 2, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Campaign 12V486000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150126 — air bags

American Honda Motor Co.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Campaign 14V700000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150224 — EA (open)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150701 — air bags

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...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 15V320000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150701 — air bags

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...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 15V370000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180622 — air bags

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...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 18V268000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190410 — air bags

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...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 19V182000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190812 — air bags

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,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

Campaign 19V499000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190812 — air bags

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,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 19V501000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210129 — electrical system, visibility

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.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power window master switch and inspect the wiring harness for damage, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021.

Campaign 20V768000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Honda CR-V — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (122 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (62 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (46 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 01V351000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V251000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V274000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V422000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V255000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E104000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V136000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V486000 (electrical system, visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V700000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V320000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V370000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V268000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V182000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V499000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V501000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V768000 (electrical system, visibility) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2026 ▲ 1997 ▲ 1999

WORST YEARS

■ 2018 ■ 2017 ■ 2019

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Honda CR-V reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Honda CR-V is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Honda CR-V?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Honda CR-V have?

16 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.