Problems · by component

2004 Honda CR-V electrical system problems

73 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2004 Honda CR-V cite electrical system, 15% of all 501 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
73
15% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
14
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2026Electrical system, VisibilityODI 11731479
“The contact purchased a 2004 Honda CR-V. The vehicle was a private sale on July 17, 2025. The contact stated that after obtaining the Carfax Report, the contact noticed that the previous odometer reading indicated that the mileage was 300,000. The contact stated that the seller's advertisement indicated that the vehicle had low mileage. In addition, the contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the odometer indicated the mileage was 124,000. The seller was not made aware of the issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2025Electrical systemODI 11683249
“The headlights on both sides, specifically the low beams, will almost randomly turn off for up to 30 seconds. I used to drive about 90 miles at night, and on the highway this is dangerous since the speed limit is 65mph. It’s a danger to other people on the road since it’s incredibly difficult to see with the headlights turn off like that. It’s happened multiple times on my ~90 mile trips but have not taken it to a dealer for it to be checked. After the headlights come back on, it’s rare that it happens again but has happened multiple times within a quick span of each other. I’m quick to turn the high beams on, since they are still functional during this time. I don’t want to blind the vehicle in front of me by potentially shining the high beams through their rear view mirror. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the problem occurring nor after. The vehicle is available to be inspected.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 6, 2024Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11613134
“The contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while rolling down the driver's side window, smoke briefly emanated from the window switch, prompting the contact to roll up the window, after which the window switch lost functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V768000 (Visibility, Electrical System) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 195,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2024Electrical system, VisibilityODI 11597285
“The contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V573000 (Electrical System) however, neither the VIN nor the year, make, or model was included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 318,370.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2023Electrical systemODI 11538948
“The locking actuator gradually started going, where the locking knob would go down or up slowly as if it was stuck. Then one day the rear doors stopped working, then the front doors started to go. I have to unlock by key or manually inside the vehicle. Not only that though, I started having a weird not start situation. I tested the alternator and starter and were in good margin so I replaced the battery and it worked for a day then wouldn't start up the next day. All the interior lights are off just in case there was some sort of parasitic outlet that is constantly draining the battery. Ive gone through 3 batteries and was about to replace the starter in case there was a bad cell until I found out that the 2004 honda crv community has 600+ complaints for the door actuators draining the battery for this vehicle. There should be a recall and this should be covered at 100% or at least a percentage.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2023Electrical systemODI 11537035

Showing 6 of 73 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Oct 5, 2012NHTSA 12V486000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026

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