2002 Honda CR-V recalls and problems

The 2002 Honda CR-V has 15 safety recalls and 515 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Honda dealer.

Recalls
15
Complaints
515
Crashes / fires
48 / 17
Injuries / deaths
48 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2002 Honda CR-V vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2002 Honda CR-V recalls

Recall 20V-768: Electrical System, Visibility

Reported Dec 10, 2020 · 268,655 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the switch fails, it could overheat and smoke, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is P9D.

Recall 19V-499: Air Bags

Reported Jun 27, 2019 · 3,947 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-501: Air Bags

Reported Jun 27, 2019 · 1,657,752 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

Recall 19V-182: Air Bags

Reported Mar 6, 2019 · 1,101,534 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: 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.

Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

Recall 18V-268: Air Bags

Reported Apr 26, 2018 · 1,335 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: 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.

Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.

Recall 15V-370: Air Bags

Reported Jun 15, 2015 · 3,498,481 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.

Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14V353 or 14V700 (Honda recall numbers S95, JH6, JH7, JH8, JH9, JJ0, JJ1, JJ2, JJ6, JM5 and JM6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13V132 and 14V349. Note: On December 18, 2015 Honda informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2004 Honda CR-V vehicles in addition to additional model year 2003 CR-V vehicles.

Recall 15V-320: Air Bags

Reported May 28, 2015 · 6,281,043 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.

Recall 14V-700: Air Bags

Reported Nov 4, 2014 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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.

Recall 12V-486: Visibility, Electrical System

Reported Oct 5, 2012 · 268,655 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the switch fails, it could overheat, smoke, and cause a fire. A switch failure, and a fire, could occur even if the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the recall repair has been performed.

Fix: 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.

Recall 12V-136: Exterior Lighting

Reported Mar 30, 2012 · 1,375,217 vehicles affected · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the terminal ends melt within the wiring harness connector, the low beam headlights may become inoperative, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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 vehicles involved in the september 2012 expansion will be notified in september 2012. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Recall 04V-255: Air Bags

Reported Jun 7, 2004 · 130,617 vehicles affected · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, the wire harness of the driver's front air bag was incorrectly wired.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the air bag inflation rate would be incorrect, which could increase the risk of injury to the driver.

Fix: Dealers will repair the wiring. Owner notification began on june 16, 2004. Owners should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Recall 03V-422: Electrical System

Reported Oct 27, 2003 · 76,988 vehicles affected · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.

Problem: 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."

Risk: If the vehicle operator does not shift to "park" before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur.

Fix: 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 contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Recall 03V-274: Power Train

Reported Jul 29, 2003 · 247,019 vehicles affected · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the vehicle operator fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur. Dealers will inspect the shift cable linkage for corrosion. If corrosion causes binding, they will replace the shift cable.

Fix: 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.

Recall 02V-251: Seats

Reported Sep 17, 2002 · 2 vehicles affected · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.

Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, the front seat anchorage nut strength is insufficient because the nuts were installed improperly.

Risk: If a collision occurred, the seat anchorage would not withstand the force, and the front seat occupants would not be restrained properly.

Fix: Telephone calls were made to each owner and the vehicles have been replaced.

Recall 01V-351: Seat Belts

Reported Nov 26, 2001 · 6,744 vehicles affected · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.

Problem: 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.

Risk: If these pretensioners activate in a crash, the seat belt could unlatch, leaving the front seat occupants unrestrained.

Fix: 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 letter is being mailed during december 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.

2002 Honda CR-V problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags144
Electrical System95
Exterior Lighting71
Engine and Engine Cooling59
Equipment39
Vehicle Speed Control25
Seat Belts25
Power Train24
Seats24
Service Brakes, Hydraulic23
Unknown or Other22
Visibility17

Most reported parts

  • Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner — 29
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System — 19
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 13
  • Electrical System › Ignition › Switch — 12
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 11
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 10
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch — 10
  • Electrical System › Ignition — 9

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 91,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2002 Honda CR-V complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Seat Belts · reported Apr 19, 2026
The air bags were replaced but the SRS light stays on because of seal belt tensioner issues and it is not been repaired.
Air Bags · reported Apr 23, 2024
My 2002 Honda CRV's ENTIRE Passenger Side Airbag Assembly was REPLACED on 11-20-2019, per Honda. This was done as (per Honda) the Inflator bolt was broken and the applicable part to remedy the recall would not be available for approximately 3 months. An open recall (NHTSA Recall # 19V-501) from 06-27-2019 still is showing on my vehicle - If the ENTIRE Passenger Side Airbag Assembly was replaced on 11-20-2019, there should be no open NHTSA recall on my vehicle issued prior to 11-20-2019.
Seat Belts · reported Feb 5, 2024
My front driver side seatbelt is not working properly and never has. I've had trouble getting it to roll into position instead it gets stuck outside the car door.When trying to find it to buckle up. When I unbuckle the seatbelt it Will not roll back into position and when I try to pull to get it to click onto I have trouble getting it to clasp. I've asked the Honda dealership if they could replace it for me without a charge they said no they could not. They suggested making a report and possibly getting special permission to replace it.
Tires · at 20,000 miles · reported Oct 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V equipped with Primewell Tires, Tire Line: PF850, Tire Size: 205/70/R15, DOT Number: Y9CDCJTX. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, the rear driver's side tire became flat. While inspecting the tire it was discovered that the tire had develop a crack which extended from the sidewall to the top of the tire. The contact stated that the same failure had previously occurred with the rear passenger’s side tire. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the…
Air Bags · at 160,000 miles · reported Sep 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that SRS air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side air bag needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. Additionally, the contact stated that the front passenger's side seat belt and the rear middle seat belt buckles were not latching securely as designed. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 01V351000 (Seat Belts) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The…

Other Honda CR-V years

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Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Honda CR-V have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 15 recalls for the 2002 Honda CR-V: 20V-768 (electrical system, visibility), 19V-499 (air bags), 19V-501 (air bags), 19V-182 (air bags), 18V-268 (air bags) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Honda CR-V?

Owners report air bags problems most often (144 reports), followed by electrical system (95). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 91,000 miles.

Are Honda recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Honda dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.