MYRModel Year Report

2002 Honda CR-V

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Honda CR-V
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
515
Recalls
16

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
8

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

28% of complaints

Complaints per year

1997: 108 complaints 1997 1998: 128 complaints 1999: 127 complaints 2000: 129 complaints 2001: 142 complaints 2002: 515 complaints 2002 515 2003: 468 complaints 2004: 501 complaints 2005: 479 complaints 2006: 398 complaints 2007: 887 complaints 2008: 962 complaints 2009: 386 complaints 2009 2010: 480 complaints 2011: 554 complaints 2012: 402 complaints 2013: 382 complaints 2013 2014: 587 complaints 2015: 672 complaints 2016: 393 complaints 2017: 1,770 complaints 2017 2018: 2,151 complaints 2019: 1,103 complaints 2020: 362 complaints 2021: 334 complaints 2021 2022: 264 complaints 2023: 522 complaints 2024: 391 complaints 2025: 256 complaints 2025 2026: 148 complaints
1997: 108 complaints 1997 1998: 128 complaints 1999: 127 complaints 1999 2000: 129 complaints 2001: 142 complaints 2002: 515 complaints 2002 515 2003: 468 complaints 2004: 501 complaints 2005: 479 complaints 2005 2006: 398 complaints 2007: 887 complaints 2007 2008: 962 complaints 2009: 386 complaints 2009 2010: 480 complaints 2011: 554 complaints 2011 2012: 402 complaints 2013: 382 complaints 2013 2014: 587 complaints 2015: 672 complaints 2015 2016: 393 complaints 2017: 1,770 complaints 2017 2018: 2,151 complaints 2019: 1,103 complaints 2019 2020: 362 complaints 2021: 334 complaints 2021 2022: 264 complaints 2023: 522 complaints 2023 2024: 391 complaints 2025: 256 complaints 2025 2026: 148 complaints
1997: 108 complaints 1997 1998: 128 complaints 1999: 127 complaints 1999 2000: 129 complaints 2001: 142 complaints 2002: 515 complaints 2002 515 2003: 468 complaints 2004: 501 complaints 2005: 479 complaints 2005 2006: 398 complaints 2007: 887 complaints 2007 2008: 962 complaints 2009: 386 complaints 2009 2010: 480 complaints 2011: 554 complaints 2011 2012: 402 complaints 2013: 382 complaints 2013 2014: 587 complaints 2015: 672 complaints 2015 2016: 393 complaints 2017: 1,770 complaints 2017 2018: 2,151 complaints 2019: 1,103 complaints 2019 2020: 362 complaints 2021: 334 complaints 2021 2022: 264 complaints 2023: 522 complaints 2023 2024: 391 complaints 2025: 256 complaints 2025 2026: 148 complaints

2002: 515 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
1997108
1998128
1999127
2000129
2001142
2002515
2003468
2004501
2005479
2006398
2007887
2008962
2009386
2010480
2011554
2012402
2013382
2014587
2015672
2016393
20171,770
20182,151
20191,103
2020362
2021334
2022264
2023522
2024391
2025256
2026148

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

28% · 144 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2012-04-21

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, 2012-03-22

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…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-25

Electrical system

18% · 95 reports

Most commonly citing switch and ignition.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2019-07-09

Also filed under Engine and structure

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, 2012-05-07

Consumer took key out of ignition and walked around to back to other side of vehicle and opened door on passenger's side, and vehicle begun to roll back.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-03

Exterior lighting

14% · 71 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and switch.

CRASHFIRE

Engine and engine cooling

11% · 59 reports

Most commonly citing cooling system and engine.

CRASHFIRE

Equipment

8% · 39 reports

Most commonly citing air conditioner.

Safety timeline

16 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2001-11-14Seat belts01V351000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 515 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2002-08-13Seats02V251000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2003-04-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-09-09 Ignition-park interlock system
  5. R
    2003-08-19Power train03V274000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2003-09-09Engineering analysisClosed 2003-11-13 Ignition-park interlock system
  7. R
    2003-11-03Electrical system03V422000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2004-06-16Air bags04V255000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2008-01-15Visibility07E104000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2011-04-11Engineering analysisClosed 2012-10-24 Driver's Power Window Master Switch
  11. I
    2011-04-29Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-09-23 Low Beam Headlights Stop Working
  12. I
    2011-09-12Engineering analysisClosed 2012-09-17 Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating
  13. R
    2012-04-27Exterior lighting12V136000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2012-11-02Electrical system, visibility12V486000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  16. R
    2015-01-26Air bags14V700000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  18. R
    2015-07-01Air bags15V320000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  19. R
    2015-07-01Air bags15V370000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  20. R
    2018-06-22Air bags18V268000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  21. R
    2019-04-10Air bags19V182000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  22. R
    2019-08-12Air bags19V499000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  23. R
    2019-08-12Air bags19V501000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  24. R
    2021-01-29Electrical system, visibility20V768000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  25. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Honda CR-V — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 144 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 95 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 71 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 01V351000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 02V251000 · Seats
  • Recall 03V274000 · Power train
  • Recall 03V422000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 04V255000 · Air bags
  • Recall 07E104000 · Visibility
  • Recall 12V136000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 12V486000 · Electrical system, visibility
  • Recall 14V700000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V320000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V370000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V268000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V182000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V499000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V501000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V768000 · Electrical system, visibility
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Honda CR-V have?
16 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.