repaired · 2022 Q4
Electrical system
Risk. If the switch fails, it could overheat and smoke, increasing the risk of a fire.
2004 Honda CR-VProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 501 owner complaints about the 2004 Honda CR-V, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 12 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-499 the manufacturer reports only 22% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 15, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Honda CR-V has problems
501 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
142Engine and engine cooling21 crash/fire/injury
103Air bags22 crash/fire/injury
73Electrical system15 crash/fire/injury
39Exterior lighting
33Equipment
18Vehicle speed control
17Seat belts
16Visibility
14Latches/locks/linkages
11617 other systems21 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 142 | 21 |
| Air bags | 103 | 22 |
| Electrical system | 73 | 15 |
| Exterior lighting | 39 | 0 |
| Equipment | 33 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 18 | 5 |
| Seat belts | 17 | 4 |
| Visibility | 16 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 14 | 1 |
| 17 other systems | 116 | 21 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
12 recalls
2004 Honda CR-V recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other…
Show 8 more recalls
repaired · 2019 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2017 Q4
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger…
repaired · 2017 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…
repaired · 2016 Q1
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
repaired · 2015 Q4
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
no report yet
Electrical system
Risk. If the switch fails, it could overheat, smoke, and cause a fire.
no report yet
Headlights: switch
Risk. IF THE TERMINAL ENDS MELT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE…
no report yet
Air bags: frontal
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG INFLATION RATE WOULD BE INCORRECT, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Honda.
Mileage at failure
When do engine and engine cooling problems start?
54kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 117 engine and engine cooling complaints. 88% were reported before 100,000 miles.
41under 30k miles103under 100k miles14100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine and engine cooling
41 owners mentioned a cost$2,200median
Middle half: $1,200 – $3,039
Equipment
11 owners mentioned a cost$1,805median
Middle half: $1,450 – $2,823
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other CR-V year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the CR-V median. How we score
'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2004 Honda CR-V safety ratings
2004 Honda CR-V w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
7 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 Honda CR-V, and the recalls they led to.
- UNDERHOOD FIRESNo recall
- Driver's Power Window Master SwitchLed to recall 12V-486
- Low Beam Headlights Stop IlluminatingLed to recall 12V-136
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 15V-313
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Low Beam Headlights Stop WorkingNo recall
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-787
In owners' words
What CR-V owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
I HAVE A 2004 HONDA CR-V. I HAD MY AC ON AND IT BEGAN TO GRIND. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS MY MOTOR, BUT SOON REALIZED IT WAS MY AIR CONDITIONER UNIT. I TOOK IT TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP, AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT. COST FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC - $106.00 COST TO FIX IT: $4000.00 DIAGNOSIS:A/C COMPRESSOR…
THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE ROAD GOING 60 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HEARD LIKE A EXPLOSION SOUND AND IT MADE US SCARED AND MADE US NERVOUS TO DRIVE IT WE HAVE PUT 3 COMPRESSORS TOTAL. 2 COMPRESSOR ALONE AND ANOTHER COMPRESSOR WITH THE WHOLE THINGS LIKE FANS, RADIATOR,FOR AIR CONDITIONER HOSE,ETC,…
Own a 2004 CR-V?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.