2002 Honda CR-V Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the 2002 Honda CR-V, 12% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 134,567 miles. The words owners use most often: “low beam” (43% of reports).
- 60exterior lighting complaints
- 134,567median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 48%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Low beam: mentioned in 26 of 60 complaints (43%)
- Headlight switch: mentioned in 11 of 60 complaints (18%)
- High beams: mentioned in 10 of 60 complaints (17%)
- Headlights failed: mentioned in 8 of 60 complaints (13%)
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 46 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 60 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 1 a fire.
Honda CR-V exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 CR-V | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2025 CR-V | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2024 CR-V | 9 | 2% | — |
| 2023 CR-V | 5 | 1% | — |
| 2021 CR-V | 4 | 1% | 9,000 |
| 2020 CR-V | 7 | 2% | 4,000 |
| 2019 CR-V | 9 | 1% | 2,575 |
| 2018 CR-V | 12 | 1% | 9,900 |
| 2017 CR-V | 22 | 1% | 20,000 |
| 2016 CR-V | 2 | 1% | 11,847 |
| 2015 CR-V | 6 | 1% | 27,000 |
| 2014 CR-V | 21 | 4% | 570 |
| 2013 CR-V | 32 | 8% | 2,000 |
| 2012 CR-V | 14 | 3% | 11,053 |
| 2011 CR-V | 3 | 1% | 1,050 |
| 2010 CR-V | 6 | 1% | 20,000 |
| 2009 CR-V | 3 | 1% | 62,000 |
| 2008 CR-V | 4 | 0% | 98,000 |
| 2007 CR-V | 2 | 0% | 43,850 |
| 2006 CR-V | 118 | 30% | 77,728 |
| 2005 CR-V | 122 | 25% | 85,000 |
| 2004 CR-V | 39 | 8% | 97,000 |
| 2003 CR-V | 39 | 8% | 120,500 |
| 2002 CR-V | 60 | 12% | 134,567 |
| 2001 CR-V | 2 | 1% | 55,000 |
| 2000 CR-V | 3 | 2% | 81,000 |
| 1999 CR-V | 3 | 2% | 190,000 |
| 1998 CR-V | 4 | 3% | 33,000 |
| 1997 CR-V | 2 | 2% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Exterior lighting:headlights:switch
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Smoke started arising from the steering column while driving on a city street during the daytime. Driver was not using lights at the time and was using normal occasional turn signals for a urban metropolitan area. The turn signal was evaluated and showed melting of the turn signal switch and the…
"takata inflators" airbag warning light keeps coming on in dashbaord while driving in motion at 15mph seatbelt wont click in position good all the way have a hard time buckling the seatbelt into place take about 8 hard tries instrumental panel lights wont light up in dashbard at night i cant see…
"takata inflators" airbag light symbol keeps coming on in dashboard while in motion
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2002 Honda CR-Vs have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 60 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the 2002 Honda CR-V (12% of the 515 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Honda CR-V exterior lighting?
Yes: 1 safety recall list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems start?
The median reported mileage is 134,567 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the 2002 Honda CR-V?
The most frequent phrase is “low beam”, in 26 of 60 complaints, followed by “headlight switch” (11).
Other 2002 Honda CR-V problems
See all 2002 Honda CR-V problems or exterior lighting problems across all CR-V years.