Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2002 Honda CR-VRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 16 safety recalls and 527 owner complaints for the 2002 Honda CR-V. Most complaints involve air bags (145) and electrical system (96). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
16campaigns
Latest Dec 2020
Owner complaints
527
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

16 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Visibility: power window devices and controls

Free remedy

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.

VisibilityReported Dec 10, 2020NHTSA 20V768000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V501000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V499000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

527 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2002 – Apr 2026
  1. Air bags145
  2. Electrical system96
  3. Exterior lighting60
  4. Engine and engine cooling59
  5. Equipment39
  6. Power train29
  7. Vehicle speed control26
  8. Seat belts25
  9. Seats24

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each CR-V model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997108
1998143
1999137
2000139
2001152
2002527
2003494
2004501
2005479
2006398
2007887
2008962
2009386
2010481
2011555
2012403
2013382
2014588
2015673
2016395
20171,779
20182,163
20191,107
2020358
2021338
2022269
2023517
2024393
2025262
2026176
Crashes reported
52
Fires reported
17
Injuries reported
50
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

145 reports33 crashes1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 23, 2024Air bagsODI 11584736

Electrical system

96 reports3 crashes12 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2022Electrical system, VisibilityODI 11481248

Exterior lighting

60 reports1 crash1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2019Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11270135
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CR-V 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202623$2,800386
CR-V 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202421$3,050423
CR-V 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192321$3,050423
  • CR-V 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 23 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Honda CR-V as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 4631Vehicle 4578
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 CR-V questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Honda CR-V have?

16 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 Honda CR-V problems?

Owners filed 527 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (145), electrical system (96), exterior lighting (60). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Honda CR-V get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Honda CR-V at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026