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.
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
2004 Honda CR-VRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls and 501 owner complaints for the 2004 Honda CR-V. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (142) and air bags (103). The EPA rates it 21–22 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
21–22mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
13campaigns
Latest Dec 2020
Owner complaints
501
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
13 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
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 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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
501 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2003 – Apr 2026
- Engine and engine cooling142
- Air bags103
- Electrical system73
- Exterior lighting39
- Equipment35
- Vehicle speed control18
- Seat belts17
- Visibility16
- Latches/locks/linkages14
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 year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 108 |
| 1998 | 143 |
| 1999 | 137 |
| 2000 | 139 |
| 2001 | 152 |
| 2002 | 527 |
| 2003 | 494 |
| 2004 | 501 |
| 2005 | 479 |
| 2006 | 398 |
| 2007 | 887 |
| 2008 | 962 |
| 2009 | 386 |
| 2010 | 481 |
| 2011 | 555 |
| 2012 | 403 |
| 2013 | 382 |
| 2014 | 588 |
| 2015 | 673 |
| 2016 | 395 |
| 2017 | 1,779 |
| 2018 | 2,163 |
| 2019 | 1,107 |
| 2020 | 358 |
| 2021 | 338 |
| 2022 | 269 |
| 2023 | 517 |
| 2024 | 393 |
| 2025 | 262 |
| 2026 | 176 |
- Crashes reported
- 34
- Fires reported
- 39
- Injuries reported
- 31
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Engine and engine cooling
142 reports21 fires
“WHILE DRIVING FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, THE AC WAS WORKING JUST FINE WHEN A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL STARTED COMING FROM THE ENGINE. LIFTING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS SEEMED TO HELP AND THE NOISE WENT AWAY, BUT THE NOISE CAME BACK, AND A THUMPING SOUND STARTED TO COME THROUGH AND A SMALL POP HAPPENED, SENDING SOME SORT OF BLACK CANISTER SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER MY CAR AND ONTO THE FREEWAY. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE CAR FOR DAMAGE, NOT SEEING ANY MAJOR MARKS ON THE ENGINE AND NO LIQUIDS LEAKING FROM THE CAR. ONLY WHEN I REACHED MY DESTINATION AND THE CAR WOULD BLOW BOILING HOT AIR OUT OF THE VENTS DID I NOTICE AND ISSUE. THE DEALER DID AN INSPECTION OF THE CAR, AND TOLD ME THE AC HAD LITERALLY FALLEN OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A MAJOR PIECE OF A VEHICLE CAN FALL OUT, AND NOT BE ABLE TO BE REPLACED WITHOUT PAYING $2,000. *TR”
Air bags
103 reports22 crashes
“The contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the SRS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not inspected, diagnosed, or repaired. The contact stated that the SRS warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.”
Electrical system
73 reports14 fires
“The contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while seated in the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the driver’s side door and the power window master switch was melted. The contact refenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V768000 (VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included in the recall repair. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,077.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
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 Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR-V 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| CR-V 4WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| CR-V 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 23 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
- 22mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Honda CR-V as of Nov 9, 2026.
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2004 CR-V questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Honda CR-V have?
13 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 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 2004 Honda CR-V problems?
Owners filed 501 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (142), air bags (103), electrical system (73). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2004 Honda CR-V get?
The EPA rates the 2004 Honda CR-V at 21–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026