2004 Honda CR-V
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 108 |
| 1998 | 128 |
| 1999 | 127 |
| 2000 | 129 |
| 2001 | 142 |
| 2002 | 515 |
| 2003 | 468 |
| 2004 | 501 |
| 2005 | 479 |
| 2006 | 398 |
| 2007 | 886 |
| 2008 | 960 |
| 2009 | 386 |
| 2010 | 480 |
| 2011 | 552 |
| 2012 | 401 |
| 2013 | 381 |
| 2014 | 586 |
| 2015 | 669 |
| 2016 | 390 |
| 2017 | 1756 |
| 2018 | 2124 |
| 2019 | 1085 |
| 2020 | 352 |
| 2021 | 323 |
| 2022 | 252 |
| 2023 | 515 |
| 2024 | 381 |
| 2025 | 241 |
| 2026 | 125 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
29% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 143 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cooling system and engine.
FIRE21% of complaints: air bags — 103 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA CR-V.THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, A DEER WALKED IN FRONT OF HER VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190826
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WITH A SEMI-TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180322
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA CRV. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A DEER. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20121203
15% of complaints: electrical system — 73 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front underhood and wiring.
FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WE WERE LEAVING A PARKING LOT WHEN WE HAD TO PULL OVER AND GET OUT OF THE CAR. A VERY STRONG ELECTRIC SMELL AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW AREA. WE WERE ALL OUTSIDE THE CAR ON A VERY BUSY CITY STREET BECAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171106
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. SHE WAS IN TOWN DOING ABOUT 30 MPH. THE FIRST INDICATION OF FIRE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. SHE STOPPED THE CAR AND GOT OUT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20040426
9% of complaints: exterior lighting — 46 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and headlights.
Show complaint excerpts
While driving down the freeway at 6:00 AM in the morning, the headlights flashed on and then off intermittently. I thought nothing of it and then they went out completely and would not come back on right away.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230919
7% of complaints: equipment — 34 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing air conditioner.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
UNDERHOOD FIRES
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
Driver's Power Window Master Switch
Low Beam Headlights Stop Working
Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating
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
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
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 14V353000 — check if this car was fixed
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
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2004 Honda CR-V — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (143 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (103 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (73 reports on file for this year).
- 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 14V353000 (air bags) 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.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2004 Honda CR-V reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Honda CR-V is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Honda CR-V?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Honda CR-V have?
13 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.