Is the 2005 Honda CR-V reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Honda CR-V is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Honda CR-V?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Honda CR-V have?

14 recalls on file for this model year.

2005 Honda CR-V

● Typical for this model

2005 Honda CR-V
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 479
Recalls: 14
Investigations: 6
Top problem: Air bags

Complaints per year

2005: 479 complaints

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	887
2008	962
2009	386
2010	480
2011	554
2012	402
2013	382
2014	587
2015	672
2016	393
2017	1,770
2018	2,151
2019	1,103
2020	362
2021	334
2022	264
2023	522
2024	391
2025	256
2026	148

Known problem areas

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

Air bags

27% · 130 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

"Takata recall" - on nov 19, 2016, I had an accident.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-08

Also filed under Seat belts

While driving at 40 MPH vehicle was involved in a front end collision, by rear ending other motorist. Upon impact, none of the air bags deployed. No live threatening injuries were sustained due to the use of seat belt, just minor injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-01-12

Exterior lighting

26% · 125 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and turn signal.

CRASHFIRE

Electrical system

16% · 77 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and switch.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

There was no tell tail signs, my son and I got out of the vehicle and walked inside the Hampton Inn in deming nm standing in line waiting some lady runs in saying there's a car on fire outside so I walked outside and saw it was my car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-09-14

The driver side master window switch failed causing the part to get very hot, melt, and emit smoke from the switch. This could have very easily started a large fire in the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-28

Also filed under Visibility

The contact owns a 2005 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH, the rear passengerâs side window became inoperable. No warning light was illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-16

Also filed under Visibility

Suspension

6% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing front and rear.

CRASH

Power train

6% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveline.

CRASH

Safety timeline

14 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

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

I
2004-09-09Engineering analysisClosed 2005-01-19 Underhood fires
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2004-11-19Air bags04V526000 On certain passenger vehicles, the occupant position detection system's side sensor is not installed in the correct position and may fail to shut off the passenger's side impact airbag if the…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger's seat-back pad which incudes the occupant position detection system sensor. The recall began on on November 19, 2004. Owners should contact Honda at…

Check if this car was fixed →
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 →
I
2010-11-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-04-15 Driver's Master Power Window Switch
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2011-04-11Engineering analysisClosed 2012-10-24 Driver's Power Window Master Switch
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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 →
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2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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2014-09-12Air bags14V353000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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 →
I
2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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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 →
R

2016-06-29Air bags16V344000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2017-02-27Air bags17V029000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.

Check if this car was fixed →
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 →
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 →
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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 →
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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 →
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2019-12-09Vehicle speed control19E068000 Dorman Products, Inc.

Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5.

Check if this car was fixed →
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 →
I
2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2005 Honda CR-V — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Air bags: 130 reports on file for this year.
Exterior lighting: 125 reports on file for this year.
Electrical system: 77 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 04V526000 · Air bags
Recall 07E104000 · Visibility
Recall 12V486000 · Electrical system, visibility
Recall 14V353000 · Air bags
Recall 14V700000 · Air bags
Recall 15V320000 · Air bags
Recall 16V344000 · Air bags
Recall 17V029000 · Air bags
Recall 18V268000 · Air bags
Recall 19V182000 · Air bags
Recall 19V499000 · Air bags
Recall 19V501000 · Air bags
Recall 19E068000 · Vehicle speed control
Recall 20V768000 · Electrical system, visibility

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2005 Honda CR-V reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Honda CR-V is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Honda CR-V?: The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Honda CR-V have?: 14 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.