VehicleVerdict

2002 Honda CR-V electrical system problems

The 2002 Honda CR-V has 97 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 15% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

97

Electrical System complaints

15%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

CR-V electrical system complaints by model year453 complaints1997: 32 complaints1998: 38 complaints1999: 29 complaints2000: 15 complaints2001: 8 complaints2002: 97 complaints2003: 65 complaints2004: 74 complaints2005: 83 complaints2006: 94 complaints2007: 277 complaints2008: 227 complaints2009: 49 complaints2010: 50 complaints2011: 60 complaints2012: 70 complaints2013: 42 complaints2014: 86 complaints2015: 94 complaints2016: 65 complaints2017: 453 complaints2018: 307 complaints2019: 168 complaints2020: 44 complaints2021: 33 complaints2022: 13 complaints2023: 27 complaints2024: 32 complaints2025: 18 complaints2026: 18 complaints
CR-V electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

03V422000Electrical SystemOctober 27, 2003 · 76,988 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, METAL PARTICLES IN THE KEY CYLINDER BODY COULD INTERFERE WITH THE INTERLOCK LEVER OPERATION, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO "PARK."

Consequence

IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT SHIFT TO "PARK" BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND TEST IGNITION SWITCHES FOR CONTAMINATION INTERFERENCE. ANY SWITCHES THAT FAIL THE TEST WILL BE REPAIRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON NOVENBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

What owners report

“CAR IN DRIVEWAY. NOT DRIVEN FOR 3 DAYS, JUST NOT NEEDED BUT WORKING. DURING DAY, CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE INSPECTORS WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE DUE TO THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE. THEY BELIEVED IT COULD HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL. FIRE CONCENTRATED IN DASH AND ENGINE AREA. WINDSHIELD BLEW DURING FIRE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 7, 2019 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2002 Honda CR-V have?

NHTSA has 97 complaints about the 2002 Honda CR-V electrical system — 15% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Honda CR-V electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 03V422000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.