Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Honda CR-V owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving down the highway, I heard an odd, continuous noise that made me think that it was my ac. I immediately switched off the ac, but the noise continued briefly and then was followed by a loud bang from the engine compartment and the sound of something breaking loose and flapping around the engine compartment. When I could safely stop, I turned the ac back on. The fan ran but the air was not cold. When I called Honda service, the representative told me he knew what the problem was as he had the same thing happened to him. He said the compressor clutch broke and because of the system design, the breakage sent metal shards throughout the ac system, requiring replacement of the entire ac unit except for a couple of hoses. He quoted $2900 for the repair. My vehicle has had the recommended service maintenance and had in fact been serviced just prior to the breakage. …
In 2006, the air conditioning compressor failed in our 2002 Honda crv. The car had about 63,000 miles at the time. Our Honda dealer said the warranty had expired and the part was not covered by a recall. We purchased a new Honda replacement compressor and had it installed at a local shop because Honda's labor price was outrageous...over $3000! This repair cost us about $2500. In 2007, the compressor failed again at 78,000 miles. We checked with the Honda dealer again, and were told that the part was not covered by a recall. They said there was metal pieces in the lines and the entire air conditioning system had to be replaced. It would cost $4000 to have the system replaced. Again, I purchased Honda replacement parts and had a local shop install the new air conditioning system. …
I was driving home in my 2002 Honda CR-v ex when I heard a loud noise from my vehicle. A few yards further up the road, I heard a thunk. So I pulled over and looked underneath and in the road, but I didn't see anything. However, when I started driving again, the A/C was not working. The next morning as I was driving to the dealer to have them look at the vehicle, I heard a thud from underneath, looked in my review mirror, and saw a part spinning in the road. I picked up the part and took it to the dealer, where they confirmed it was the clutch from my A/C that just fell off as I was driving down the road. This is not a small part and could easily have caused me to blow a tire, caused engine damage or have caused someone else on the road swerve into danger. Luckily, I was not going that fast and there was no one behind me. …
In 2006 with 66000 miles and under normal driving conditions the air conditioning system started to give off burning smell which caused headaches and nausea before the system failed completely. A/C compressor was found to have failed and it was replaced. Then in August 2013 with 95000 miles the unit failed again with the same issue and same toxic fumes. Am concerned about the health impact of this especially due to the frequency of this failure. Research has shown that this component is of inadequate design and Honda lost a class action lawsuit due to frequent failures. This failure rate, while not impacting the safety of the car, does have potential health hazards for the occupants beyond reasonable risk.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-v. The contact stated that the air conditioner compressor failed causing the serpentine belt to become faulty. While driving 45 MPH, the contact stated that the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. In 2005, the contact replaced the entire air condition system however, the vehicle continued to stall. The dealer advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing but informed her that she would be responsible for payment. The manufacturer informed the contact that they would not be able to provide her with any additional assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The current and failure mileages were 176,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-v. The contact was driving approximately 55 MPH with the air conditioner activated when suddenly, warm air began to circulate throughout the vents. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated the air conditioner compressor would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. Also, the check engine light has been coming on and going off, since the vehicle was purchased in 2002. The dealer informed the consumer there was a crack at the top of the fuel tank. Updated 07/17/14 updated 03/10/16.
I have a 2002 Honda crv. While I was driving last week it suddenly began making a loud racket under the hood and the A/C stopped putting out cold air. I turned off the A/C and the noise stopped. I took it to the dealership and they said the compressor, condensor and dryer must be replaced because it had exploded. This cost $1900 to repair. After reading on the internet I saw where several hondas have had this problem. It seems to be a manufacturer defect of some sort. I'm very disappointed that Honda has not turned out to be as reliable a vehicle as I expected.
There was a loud rattling noise coming from my air conditioner. My husband took a look at it. When he turned the air conditioner on and went around to the front of the car. The ball bearings in my compressor failed and the compressor exploded. Shards of metal flew from under the car. From the research I have done there have been a lot of Honda crvs doing the same. If anyone was standing near the car at the time of explosion, they could have been hurt.
On March of 2005 I heard a loud noise and my A/C stop blowing cold air, I took it to the mechanic and the entire A/C unit had to be replaced and could only be done with the original Honda unit because no other fits the vehicle, it was replaced, on August 2005 the A/C stopped blowing cold air again and the clutch had to be replaced but was under guarantee, now September 2007 the A/C has is not blowing cold air and is making a thumping sound.
Tl* - the contact owns a 2002 Honda crv. The air conditioner stopped working. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle as needing a new air conditioning system. The failure mileage was 116,000. The contact stated that because the air conditioner did not work the windows fogged up. The contact has an estimate of repair invoice. The current mileage was 142,000. Updated 10/03/08 upated 10/07/08.
AC & Heater complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are ac & heater problems on the 2002 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the a/c & heater of the 2002 Honda CR-V, 6% of the model year's 515 complaints. The component named most often is appliance › air conditioner (29 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Honda CR-V ac & heater problems?
No. NHTSA lists no a/c & heater recall for the 2002 Honda CR-V, though it has 15 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Honda CR-V ac & heater problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.