Problems · NHTSA complaints
2005 Honda CR-V problems
Owners filed 479 complaints about the 2005 Honda CR-V with NHTSA between Jan 2005 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (129).
Complaints
479
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
40
Reported by owners
Fires
18
Reported by owners
Injuries
29
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags129
- Exterior lighting122
- Electrical system77
- Suspension27
- Power train25
- Visibility24
- Steering23
- Engine and engine cooling20
- Engine16
- Vehicle speed control14
- Tires13
- Latches/locks/linkages13
- Seat belts12
- Structure9
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
42
19
12
14
14
32
25
39
32
51
40
56
32
23
14
6
6
4
6
5
4
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 42 |
| 2006 | 19 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 14 |
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2010 | 32 |
| 2011 | 25 |
| 2012 | 39 |
| 2013 | 32 |
| 2014 | 51 |
| 2015 | 40 |
| 2016 | 56 |
| 2017 | 32 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
129 reports24 crashes2 fires10 related recalls
“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.”
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.”
Electrical system
77 reports8 fires1 related recall
“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…”
Suspension
27 reports1 crash
“As I was driving home from work last week 04/22/25, I noticed a drop in the rear passenger side and an odd noise I had never heard before. I only live 3 blocks from work and I immediately pulled it in the garage and put it up on the jack. Once I removed my drivers side rear tire and got a closer look, I found that my drivers side rear trailing arm and the frame have rusted through and completely broke. My vehicle had just been inspected 5 months earlier with no issues and is parked in a dry garage at all times when not in use.”
Power train
25 reports2 crashes
“I PURCHASED A NEW 2015 HONDA CRV EXL. PICKED IT UP ON EVENING OF 2/18/15. I DROVE IT BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, APPROX. 30 MILES ROUND TRIP THE NEXT TWO DAYS. I NOTICED VIBRATION AND FELT SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT. THE CAR SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY THE WEEKEND DUE TO BAD WEATHER. I DROVE TO WORK MONDAY AND TUESDAY AND THE VIBRATION WAS TERRIBLE. I DRIVE IN VERY SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC. WHILE ACCELERATING, IT FEELS LIKE A BUMPY RIDE ON UNEVEN ROADWAY. THIS MAKES ME FEEL VERY UNSAFE! ESPECIALLY WHILE GOING AROUND CURVES. WHILE STOPPED AT RED LIGHTS, THE STEERING WHEEL AND SEATS VIBRATE. EXACTLY ONE WEEK FROM PICKING UP MY VEHICLE, I'M BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER DRIVING MY CAR AND EXPERIENCING MY CONCERNS. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK IN AGAIN FOR THE SERVICE MANAGER TO CAPTURE THE VIBRATION ON VIDEO TO BE SENT TO HONDA. I CONTACTED HONDA OF AMERICA AND NOW HAVE A CASE MANAGER. PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO HELP ALL OF US WHO HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF BY HONDA AND THEY ARE STILL SELLING THESE DEFECTIVE CARS! *TR”
Visibility
24 reports6 fires2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2005 Honda CR-V. The contact stated the vehicle had previously been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V768000 (Visibility, Electrical System), and the power window switch on the driver’s side was replaced with a water-resistant switch. The contact stated while opening the front driver’s side door, the power window switch was wet from previous rainfall. In addition, the contact noticed after attempting to roll down the four windows, the power window switches failed to respond. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.