VehicleVerdict

2002 Honda CR-V lighting problems

The 2002 Honda CR-V has 72 lighting complaints filed with NHTSA — 11% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

72

Lighting complaints

11%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Lighting complaints by year

Related recalls

12V136000LightingMarch 30, 2012 · 1,375,217 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE TERMINAL ENDS MELT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE LOW BEAM TERMINAL HARNESS OR REPLACE THE LIGHTING SWITCH AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE ORIGINAL RECALL BEGAN IN APRIL 2012. OWNERS OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE SEPTEMBER 2012 EXPANSION WILL BE NOTIFIED IN SEPTEMBER 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.

What owners report

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CRV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH PLUG AREA WAS BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 30, 2013 · fire

Common questions

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

NHTSA has 72 complaints about the 2002 Honda CR-V lighting — 11% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Honda CR-V lighting?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the lighting: 12V136000.

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.