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2002 Honda CR-V Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2002 Honda CR-V has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Door lock and lock cylinder failures.” Honda vehicles use the Maintenance Minder system — your dashboard displays a Code A (oil change) or Code B (oil change plus inspections) along with sub-codes 1-6 for additional services. Intervals adjust based on how you drive. The schedule below reflects Honda's underlying targets.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2002 Honda CR-V.

Reported to NHTSA

Door lock and lock cylinder failures

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

9 NHTSA complaints · 2012-10 → 2022-03

“I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. THE REMOTE KEY FOB QUIT WORKING AND THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK WHILE TRYING TO OPEN IT MANUALLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10692551
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10659460
“Door locks. Doors won't lock or unlock while inside or outside of vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11457033

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag recall notices with repair parts unavailable

AIR BAGS

62 NHTSA complaints · 2012-10 → 2024-04

“WENT INTO DEALER ( AIRPORT MARINA HONDA IN LOS ANGELES ) TO HAVE RECALL PART REPLACED BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS. DEALER SAID PART IS ON BACKORDER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10693822
“THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V384000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11122747
“TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE X5C FOR MY 2002 HONDA CR-V BUT HONDA HAS STATED IN 2 DIFFERENT PHONE CALLS THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO FIX MY CAR AT THIS TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11255189

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags did not deploy in a crash

AIR BAGS

12 NHTSA complaints · 2012-07 → 2017-12

“THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10788284
“MY CAR WAS TOTALED BUT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10954125
“DURING THE CRASH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10726763

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

SRS warning light remaining on after air bag service

AIR BAGS

18 NHTSA complaints · 2014-08 → 2026-04

“HAD THE RECALLS DONE AND NOW THE SRS LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10910308
“SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SRS COMPUTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10760963
“UNFORTUNATELY, AFTER HAVING BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIR BAG RECALL WORK COMPLETED ON 6/30/15, THE SRS LIGHT REMAINS LIT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10732439

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power window master switch smoke, heat or melting

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14 NHTSA complaints · 2012-09 → 2022-08

“WHILE DRIVING, I FELT EXCESSIVE SMOKE AND HEAT COMING FROM THE POWER WINDOW MASTER SWITCH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10694568
“AS I WAS DRIVING FROM ONE MAILBOX TO ANOTHER THE SMELL OF SOMETHING MELTING WAS OVERWHELMING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10683575
“WHEN CAME BACK I CAN SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. BY LOOKING AROUND, I FOUND SMOKE COMING OUT FROM POWER WINDOW SWITCH PANEL ON DRIVER SIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10882421

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Headlight and combination light switch failures

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

9 NHTSA complaints · 2012-05 → 2018-01

“THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH PLUG AREA WAS BURNED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10496707
“IN MARCH 2017 THE ISSUES IDENTIFIED IN THE RECALL WERE EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. THE SWITCH STARTED SMOKING AND THE LIGHTS WENT OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11004883
“WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10749281

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Code A)

Every 7,500 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter. The Maintenance Minder triggers Code A between 7,500 and 10,000 miles depending on driving conditions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation (Sub-code 1)

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires front-to-back to even out wear. Honda triggers Sub-code 1 alongside every other oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection (Code B)

Every 15,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake. Code B includes a multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and fluids.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid (Sub-code 5)

Every 45,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 3 years regardless of mileage to prevent moisture absorption and corrosion of ABS components.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission / CVT Fluid (Sub-code 3)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace ATF or CVT fluid. Honda CVT models (Civic, HR-V, Accord LX) use Honda HCF-2 — do not substitute. The Maintenance Minder triggers earlier under heavy stop-and-go.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid (AWD models, Sub-code 5)

Every 30,000 mi

AWD CR-V, Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline: replace rear diff fluid every 30,000 miles, sooner if towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter (Sub-code 4)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Honda uses a long-life cellulose element on most port-injected engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Honda uses iridium-tipped plugs rated for 100,000+ miles. Replace at 105,000 miles or whenever Sub-code 6 displays.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant (Sub-code 5)

Every 60,000 mi

Honda Long-Life Type 2 (blue) coolant: first change at 120,000 miles, then every 60,000 miles. Do not mix with other coolant types.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter (Sub-code 3)

Every 15,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter — accessible behind the glove box on most Hondas. Honda recommends 15,000 miles in dusty conditions, longer in clean climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Valve Clearance Adjustment (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Inspect and adjust valve clearances at 105,000 miles. Critical on K-series and L-series engines to prevent valve recession.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$495–$535

Shop

~$345–$375

DIY

Pro only

Mechanical-bucket valvetrains (many Honda 4-cyls, older Toyotas) need this. Hydraulic lifters don't. Shop work — feeler-gauge precision required.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Modern Honda engines (K-series, L-series, R-series, plus all Earth Dreams 1.5T and 2.0T) use a timing chain designed to last the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

183 crashes 1990–2024

How the 183 occupant deaths break down

127

driver deaths

56

passenger deaths

183

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2002 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

52

complaints mentioning a crash

17

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2002 Honda CR-V reflects Honda's published service intervals and the Maintenance Minder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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