Problems · by component

2004 Honda CR-V exterior lighting problems

39 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2004 Honda CR-V cite exterior lighting, 8% of all 501 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
39
8% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the exterior lighting

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“While driving down the freeway at 6:00 AM in the morning, the headlights flashed on and then off intermittently. I thought nothing of it and then they went out completely and would not come back on right away. I was driving in complete darkness and thankfully the bright headlights still worked. After this incident, my left headlight completely stopped working and the right-side low beam will come on intermittently. The bulb in the left side appears to be working and I replaced it and it still doesn't come on.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2023Exterior lightingODI 11545456
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT NOTICED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAN HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REPLACED THE BULB AND CHECKED THE FUSE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED TAMERON HONDA DEALER, (1675 MONTGOMERY HWY, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35216, (205) 396--3108) AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT PART OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V086000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,400.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 21, 2020Exterior lightingODI 11300657
“HEAD LIGHTS JUST TURN OFF AND I DON'T TOUCH THE SWITCH, THE HIGH BEAM WORK FINE. NO WARNING THEY JUST GO OFF AND DON'T WORK ON THE LOWER STANDARD SETTING BOTH LIGHTS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 24, 2019Exterior lightingODI 11291132
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS FAILED TO OPERATED WITHOUT WARNING. STOKES HONDA (8650 RIVERS AVE, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29406) WAS CONTACTED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V136000(EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 29, 2017Exterior lightingODI 11051312
“NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 12V-136 / SERVICE BULLETIN 12-023 - - THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN PARKED OR DRIVING, CITY OR HIGHWAY TRAVEL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2017Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11023534

Showing 6 of 39 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

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 CR-V; MODEL YEAR 2003 THROUGH 2005 PILOT; AND MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 CIVIC VEHICLES. IN MARCH 2012, HONDA FILED A DEFECT REPORT TO RECALL CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 CR-V AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 PILOT VEHICLES. IN AUGUST 2012, HONDA INFORMED THE AGENCY THAT IT WAS INCLUDING AN ADDITIONAL 820,789 VEHICLES INCLUDING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 PILOTS AND MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 CIVICS. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES BEING RECALLED IS NOW 1,375,217. DUE TO TENSION FROM THE COMBINATION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS, WEAR ON THE SURFACE OF THE ELECTRICAL TERMINAL CAN OCCUR, YIELDING COPPER OXIDE, WHICH INCREASES ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE. INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE MAY CAUSE THE TERMINAL ENDS TO MELT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR.

Exterior lightingReported Mar 30, 2012NHTSA 12V136000
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.