10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 10
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
137,195 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Honda CR-V electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Honda CR-V Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #62

Aug 042022

CR-V

  • 178,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that when his wife opened the driver-€™s side door, the driver-€™s side power window master switch began to release a white smoke. The contact stated that eventually the smoke dissipated. Prior to the failure, the front passenger-€™s side window was rolled down and could not be rolled up after the failure. The contact initially called the manufacturer and was informed that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V768000 (Visibility, Electrical System) which he linked to the failure. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer where they replaced the power window master switch; however, the repair did not correct the failure. The contact was then given an estimate to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.

- Smithtown, NY, USA

problem #61

Mar 162022

CR-V

  • miles
Door locks. Doors won't lock or unlock while inside or outside of vehicle

- Madison , TN, USA

problem #60

May 122021

CR-V

  • 192,000 miles
There are three NHTSA recalls for 2002 Honda CRV - 12V486000, 20V76800 and 03V422000. Honda says my VIN is not included in these recalls, but I having all these issues. I've called Honda and spoken to a csr, and I'm at the dealers right now. They won't honor these recalls, and are charging me for diagnostics.

- Aguanga, CA, USA

problem #59

May 012021

CR-V

  • 194,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was operating the vehicle as normal. Parked in a parking spot waiting for my partner with the vehicle turned off. While leaving I turned the vehicle on and when I went to roll down the right rear window using the drivers pwms the window would not move and the switch began to smoke. I cut the power and removed the fuses for the power window circuit to prevent further damage. Did not take any photos of the smoke. There is a recall for the pwms catching fire in 2002-2006 Honda Cr-vs, when I contacted the local dealership about the problem they refused warranty service.

- Greaham, OR, USA

problem #58

Oct 132020

CR-V 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,137 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 mph, a grayish-white smoke began to emit from underneath the engine without warning. As the vehicle began to smoke, the contact lost complete power steering also without warning. With excessive force, the contact was able to drive the vehicle into an independent mechanic as the contact heard a loud booming sound emit from the vehicle. The independent mechanic discovered that the serpentine belt had snapped in half which the mechanic linked to his defective air conditioner compressor. The contact initially emailed Honda customer service about the defect and a representative called him back to inform him that a letter in regards to the failure would be sent to him. The contact had yet to receive the letter. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 116,137. Consumer stated ac was repaired by the previous owner in 2007 with 56K miles. Not even a year later a class action lawsuit was filed.

- Laguna Hills, CA, USA

problem #57

Oct 092019

CR-V

  • 135,000 miles
Smoke started arising from the steering column while driving on a city street during the daytime. Driver was not using lights at the time and was using normal occasional turn signals for a urban metropolitan area. The turn signal was evaluated and showed melting of the turn signal switch and the terminal harness. This is similar to what is described in NHTSA 12V-136 or 12V-486. Honda America and Honda dealerships said the 2002 Honda CR-V was not included, because VIN was not included in the recall. However, the model and year of the car were included and having the same problems described as previously mentioned recalls.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #56

Jul 152019

CR-V 4-cyl

  • 254,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. the contact stated that there was smoke and a strong electrical burn odor emitted from the driver's door main switches area. The contact was able to move onto the road shoulder. The contact found that the master electrical system caught fire. The contact was unable to close the rear passenger side window. Driver door switch arcing and melting. The switch was replaced and only one window isnt working. The manufacturer was contacted. The manufacturer advised the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V486000 (electrical system, visibility). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 254,000.

- Macungie, PA, USA

problem #55

Jul 072019

CR-V

  • 140,000 miles
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. Fire concentrated in dash and engine area. Windshield blew during fire. Have owned this car since new, for 17 years. 140,000 miles.

- Nederland, TX, USA

problem #54

May 152018

CR-V

  • 235,000 miles
Ignition locked

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #53

Jan 142018

CR-V

  • 139,000 miles
The passenger side power window switch smoked and stopped working. There was a recall for this and I would like to know if the repair would be covered. The passenger window side is the only one affected.

- San Bruno, CA, USA

problem #52

Jan 282018

CR-V

  • 178,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driver's window works, but passenger and back seat windows wont work. I'm seeing many other people with Honda have the same problem! also, the windshield washer won't work.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

problem #51

Oct 102017

CR-V

  • 125,000 miles
Drivers side seat belt will not always click into lock. Drivers side seat is very loose. Malfunction light will not turn off.

- Gualala, CA, USA

problem #50

Aug 072015

CR-V

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. after the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V370000 (air bags) and 15V320000 (air bags), the SRS warning light continued to remain illuminated. Thevehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a defect with the electrical system. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.

- Grass Valley, CA, USA

problem #49

Jul 032016

CR-V

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. the contact had difficulty inserting the key into the vehicle. In addition, the rear passenger and front driver side windows did not operate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The diagnosis was not provided. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not provided.

- Clover, SC, USA

problem #48

Jun 152016

CR-V

  • 175,000 miles
I had parked my car outside grocery store and went shopping. When came back I can smell something burning. By looking around, I found smoke coming out from power window switch panel on driver side. I haven't even inserted my keys. After that I lost the ability to turn up down passenger side window. Searching online shows 2002cr-V had the recall for same problem but my car wasn't included. Contacting Honda and dealer says my car doesn't carry the faulty part but yet same thing happened to my car. I am scared if it's parked in garage and fire may start. Vehicle was not moving and no keys were in ignition. It was a scary situation.

- Grayslake, IL, USA

problem #47

Nov 012012

CR-V

  • miles
I was wondering my 2002 Honda CRV isn't up for a recall for the power master window switch like the other 2002 Honda crvs? while I was driving I smelled something burning and it was coming from the window switch and after looking up the recalls I found out my car could set on fire without it even being on! but when I type in my VIN that specific recall doesn't come up but yet it is the same malfunction and it is obviously dangerous and I have been driving without being able to roll down any windows for going on nearly four years now it is ridiculous. I had to unplug the window switch harness for fear of fire and my life

- Lakewood, CA, USA

problem #46

Mar 152015

CR-V

  • 101,000 miles
This is for my Honda CRV 2002, we have enough trouble for this car from airbag to power windows and now is the ignition key thats losing contact, the car wont start after 5 or 6 times of trying to turn the key to start mode. I searched online and found that this is a known problem for this car. I called Honda and they said that they're not aware of this issue. Im writing this email to get some help from you to address this issue. I dont know why Honda always play this game of not helping out the consumers right away, they always wait until someone gets hurt or die before they act on this kind of issue. This ignition switch is very dangerous, what if my car stall in the middle of the freeway? this is very very dangerous and scary... thanks for your help

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

problem #45

Mar 312015

CR-V

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V70000 (air bags), 14V351000 (air bags), 12V486000 (electrical system, visibility) and 12V136000 (exterior lighting); however, the parts needed to repair the vehicle were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #44

Jan 152015

CR-V

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. the contact stated that the vent controls failed, the electrical door panel on the drivers side failed, and the key fob failed to lock and unlock the doos. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the ECM needed to be replaced. The contact went to another independent mechanic for a second opinion, who informed that there was an electrical short in power going into the ac/compressor. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the part was not available for NHTSA campaign id number: 14V351000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- River Bank, CA, USA

problem #43

Mar 142015

CR-V

  • 160,000 miles
While driving, I felt excessive smoke and heat coming from the power window master switch. I immediately took it to a mechanic and he told me that for some reason excessive heat was generated in the switch and this could have potentially melted the switch or could have caused a fire. I discovered Honda CRV year 2002-2006 have a "NHTSA campaign number: 12V486, Honda's campaign id: S61" for recall on power window master switch. But my specific VIN number isn't covered under it. I contacted Honda "product concerns" department as I experienced exactly the same what the NHTSA campaign number: 12V486000 is covering. I wanted Honda to acknowledge my issue and initiate an engineering analysis for my VIN# and provide me with their findings. But they told me they can register my complaint (#N012015-03-1601127) but they won't do anything as mine isn't identified in affected vehicles under campaign id 12V468. The regional manager of product concerns also told me that they don't know if any past work was done on my vehicle that caused this. I am the owner of this vehicle since March 2008 and did not get any work done on master switch and it worked fine until Saturday, March 1, 2016. Not only this, my complaint asks for an engineering analysis, a proper technical diagnosis to identify what if there is another batch manufactured at a different plant/vendor/country that is also potentially at risk as what campaign 12V486 was. We won't know until Honda does the diagnosis but as of now, they seem to be least bothered. In Texas, you cant live without windows when A/C isn't working. This vehicle is almost useless without windows. Please initiate an engineering analysis with Honda and have them look into it as my experience was exactly the same listed in campaign 12V486. Smoke, excessive heat, risk of potential melt/fire. Need your help to enforce quality and safety of vehicle owners.

- Plano, TX, USA

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