Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
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).
I had been driving for approximately 30 minutes. As I drove along I-575 - a 4-lane highway - I noticed a kind of power surge from my engine. My speedometer registered 80 MPH! I applied the brakes but was unable to slow the car more than 20-30 MPH, and then it started to creep back up. I exited at that point, knowing I needed help. I was still going much too fast. I looked for a service station and not only was there none, within seconds I was faced with a red light with 4 lanes of cross traffic (george busby parkway) - I couldn't stop the car! So I took it off the road in a controlled crash, going over the curb, 6 or so feet of grass, a huge hedge, and crashed into a very tall, mature crape myrtle. Thank god the car finally stopped. I was fortunate the crape myrtle consisted of multiple trunks rather than being an oak or similar. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Honda CR-v. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the driver depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. However, the contact's vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. With the motor still running and the brake pedal depressed, the contact's vehicle accelerated and crashed into the vehicle a second time. While attempting to move the vehicle, a service worker experienced the same failure. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The driver sustained an injured left arm and eye irritation, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 150,000. ...updated 05/17/17 the consumer stated due to no codes showing up after the failure; the failure is never investigated. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Honda CR-v. While driving 10 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact depressed the brake pedal; however, the brakes failed to slow the vehicle. The contact crashed into a guardrail. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the contact's residence. The contact sustained scratches and bruises to the upper arm and body that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V370000 (air bags) and 15V320000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-v. While stopped at a traffic light, the contact attempted to accelerate and the vehicle suddenly stalled. The failure caused a crash involving two other vehicles. There was a police report filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the idle air control module motor, the lower control arm knuckle and the bearing were replaced. The failure occurred again; the vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the contact was informed that the cruise control switch was the cause of failure. The vehicle was repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000 and the current mileage was 75,273. The brake light switch was replaced. Updated 04/01/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-v. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle into a parking lot and turned off the ignition. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Three bolts hold on the clutch master cylinder cover.one bolt head head was sheared/blown off upon depressing the clutch pedal when starting the car. Brake fluid leaked out. Clutch was inoperable and power braking diminished. The clutch master cylinder was replaced and 11 months later the same incident occurred. The bolt head position that was blown/sheared off was the same in both incidents.
The vehicle did not slow when applying the brakes upon approaching a stop sign. The drivers foot was off the gas pedal and on the brake pedal, but the vehicle continued to power forward. Not sure if the brakes were at fault, the driver stopped vehicle by putting the auto transmission into park to avoid going past the stop sign, entering a county highway and being broadsided by oncoming traffic. The engine speed then rose to about 5000 RPM, though the vehicle was at rest, in park, and the accelerator pedal was not being touched. A witness sought to lend some help and suggested that the continually racing engine was perhaps due to a stuck throttle, though a quick look under the hood did not reveal any obvious problem. After several minutes of the engine racing at about 5000 RPM while in park, the driver turned off the ignition and then restarted the engine. The engine continued to race. …
While passing another vehicle driving under the speed limit (25 MPH in a 45 MPH zone). I accelerated to pass, my car began to speed faster and faster without me being able to control or stop the vehicle. Both feet were slammed on the brake pedal but we reached 70mph, but I couldn't stop the car. I pulled the emergency brake and yet the car continued. We rode on both the brake pedal and emergency brake for at least a mile. It only slowed down a little, but I was able to drive on the shoulder and luckily didn't come to any stop signs or traffic lights. I was finally able to stop my vehicle n front of a restaurant by turning the ignition off, while still moving. With the car finally stopped, I put the car in park and immediately checked to make sure there was nothing obstructing the pedal causing it to accelerate. There was nothing. …
I responded to a recall notice for the airbag inflator. I had noticed, immediately thereafter, that my horn and cruise control is inoperable. I contacted service advisor who asked to bring the car back in. She agreed that the mechanism for these inoperable parts is in "close proximity to the air bag inspection areas", for the recall. However, they claim they "... Are not liable for the cable reel" and will charge to have it fixed. And just yesterday, in the process of getting my window fixed, the same dealership left out the moisture shield and disabled my door locks which are superficial issues that they somewhat resolved. However, I still do not have a working horn or cruise control because these were consequentially damaged after innocently responding to an airbag recall inspection.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-v. While driving 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle would not stop accelerating. The contact deactivated the cruise control, but the vehicle continued to accelerate. The vehicle had to be turned off in order for the acceleration to stop. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The contact did not notice any prior issues with the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 97,000. Updated 8/10/09 the consumer stated throttle cable frayed and there was no explanation provided. Updated 08/13/09.
Acceleration complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2002 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2002 Honda CR-V, 5% of the model year's 515 complaints. The component named most often is cables (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Honda CR-V acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration 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 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.