Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2005 Honda CR-VRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls and 479 owner complaints for the 2005 Honda CR-V. Most complaints involve air bags (129) and exterior lighting (122). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
14campaigns
Latest Dec 2020
Owner complaints
479
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

14 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

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Free remedy

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

Vehicle speed controlReported Oct 10, 2019NHTSA 19E068000

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

479 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2005 – Jul 2026
  1. Air bags129
  2. Exterior lighting122
  3. Electrical system77
  4. Suspension27
  5. Power train25
  6. Visibility24
  7. Steering23
  8. Engine and engine cooling20
  9. Engine16

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
40
Fires reported
18
Injuries reported
29
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

129 reports24 crashes2 fires
“The contact owns a 2005 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, she rear-ended a vehicle in front. The other vehicle's windshield shattered during the impact. Both vehicles were severely damaged. The air bags did not deploy. No one was injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not towed, but the contact was able to push the vehicle into a parking lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 1, 2023Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11504914

Exterior lighting

122 reports1 crash1 fire
“HAVE LOST POWER TO BOTH LOW BEAM LIGHTS CONSECUTIVELY AND RANDOMLY EVERY MONTH OVER THE PAST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE REPLACED HEADLIGHTS MULTIPLE TIMES AND LOST LOW BEAMS ESPECIALLY ON DRIVERS SIDE DURING COMMUTE AT NIGHT ON THE FREEWAY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 30, 2020Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11385706

Electrical system

77 reports8 fires
“Master Power Window Control Switch failed operating the Passenger power window regulator. While driving, the front passenger regulator popped and the window started falling down all by itself. It happened by a glass repair company, so I asked them what happened. He said when the voltage going to the regulator is not uniform, the regulator will pop and the window will drop down. He offered to repair it for $200 including parts which I thought was a fair price. I went to a website where they tell you if any parts on your vehicle have been recalled. It did include a master power window control switch for a 2005 Honda CR-V. So I called Middletown Honda, (NY) and they said the master Power Window Control Switch was $405. My car was not included in the recall (which only included switches made in the U.K) and they would only see the car if they could get a new Master Power Window Switch. I proceeded to tape up the window which dramatically reduces visibility to the rear view mirror and to side traffic on the highway. I don't have comprehensive insurance on my car and don't want to report it to my insurance company as I am [XXX] old reducing the chances of getting…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2026Electrical systemODI 11743268
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 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 5-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
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 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202623$2,700386
CR-V 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202522$2,850404
CR-V 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192421$2,950423
  • CR-V 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 25 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Honda CR-V as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 1597
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

2005 CR-V questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Honda CR-V have?

14 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 2005 Honda CR-V problems?

Owners filed 479 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (129), exterior lighting (122), electrical system (77). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Honda CR-V get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Honda CR-V at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026