Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that when his wife opened the driver's side door, the driver's side power window master switch began to release a white smoke. The contact stated that eventually the smoke dissipated. Prior to the failure, the front passenger's side window was rolled down and could not be rolled up after the failure. The contact initially called the manufacturer and was informed that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V768000 (Visibility, Electrical System) which he linked to the failure. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer where they replaced the power window master switch; however, the repair did not correct the failure. The contact was then given an estimate to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-v. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, a grayish-white smoke began to emit from underneath the engine without warning. As the vehicle began to smoke, the contact lost complete power steering also without warning. With excessive force, the contact was able to drive the vehicle into an independent mechanic as the contact heard a loud booming sound emit from the vehicle. The independent mechanic discovered that the serpentine belt had snapped in half which the mechanic linked to his defective air conditioner compressor. The contact initially emailed Honda customer service about the defect and a representative called him back to inform him that a letter in regards to the failure would be sent to him. The contact had yet to receive the letter. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 116,137. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-v. The contact stated that there was smoke and a strong electrical burn odor emitted from the driver's door main switches area. The contact was able to move onto the road shoulder. The contact found that the master electrical system caught fire. The contact was unable to close the rear passenger side window. Driver door switch arcing and melting. The switch was replaced and only one window isnt working. The manufacturer was contacted. The manufacturer advised the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V486000 (electrical system, visibility). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 254,000.
I had parked my car outside grocery store and went shopping. When came back I can smell something burning. By looking around, I found smoke coming out from power window switch panel on driver side. I haven't even inserted my keys. After that I lost the ability to turn up down passenger side window. Searching online shows 2002cr-v had the recall for same problem but my car wasn't included. Contacting Honda and dealer says my car doesn't carry the faulty part but yet same thing happened to my car. I am scared if it's parked in garage and fire May start. Vehicle was not moving and no keys were in ignition. It was a scary situation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-v. The contact stated that the front passenger side window would not operate and failed to close. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the front passenger side power window switch failed and a burning odor was present coming from the switch. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
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. Have owned this car since new, for 17 years. 140,000 miles.
This is for my Honda crv 2002, we have enough trouble for this car from airbag to power windows and now is the ignition key thats losing contact, the car wont start after 5 or 6 times of trying to turn the key to start mode. I searched online and found that this is a known problem for this car. I called Honda and they said that they're not aware of this issue. Im writing this email to get some help from you to address this issue. I dont know why Honda always play this game of not helping out the consumers right away, they always wait until someone gets hurt or die before they act on this kind of issue. This ignition switch is very dangerous, what if my car stall in the middle of the freeway? This is very very dangerous and scary... Thanks for your help
Tl contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-v. The contact stated that the vent controls failed, the electrical door panel on the drivers side failed, and the key fob failed to lock and unlock the doos. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the ECM needed to be replaced. The contact went to another independent mechanic for a second opinion, who informed that there was an electrical short in power going into the ac/compressor. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the part was not available for NHTSA campaign id number: 14V351000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
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 terminal harness. This is similar to what is described in NHTSA 12v-136 or 12v-486. Honda America and Honda dealerships said the 2002 Honda CR-v was not included, because VIN was not included in the recall. However, the model and year of the car were included and having the same problems described as previously mentioned recalls.
On May 5, 2012, the window control panel on the driver side of my 2002 crv sparked in flame and emitted smoke and fume that smelled like burnt plastic and toxic chemicals. I had to pull over on the freeway because the fume stunk up the interior of the car. My husband and daughter in the back passenger seats were terrified by the incident. I observed the flame burnt the plastic of the control panel and I was unable to use the automatic buttons to open/close the windows. I believe this is the second time my crv experienced this problem with the window control panel.
Related recalls
Electrical system
Honda is recalling certain model year 2002-2006 CR-V passenger vehicles, manufactured from February 19, 2002, through July 28, 2006. The driver-side power window switch may fail or melt.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the switches, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on November 2, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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."
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.
NHTSA investigations
Low Beam Headlights Stop Working
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 12 reports from consumers alleging the low beam headlights stopped working simultaneously.Several of the complainants reported that the headlight switch and/or its wiring harness connector required replacement to repair the low beam headlight circuit, and also reported that the switch and/or the wire harness connector were damaged from…
Ignition-park interlock system
All odi complaints and crashes are duplicative of Honda complaints.the warranty claim count shown for other represents incidents where Honda's analysis of claim detail indicates the interlock system malfunctioned.the cr-v interlock system utilizes an ECU to control a solenoid driven blocking device that prevents key removal when the shifter is not in park.Honda documents identified a condition where metallic debris…
Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating
This investigation was prompted by Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 11-017, and was based on reports from consumers alleging that both low beam headlights stopped illuminating simultaneously.Some complainants also reported that the combination switch (switch) that controls the headlights and turn signals, and/or its electrical wiring harness connector were damaged by overheating.ODI's PE information request letter asked…
Driver's Power Window Master Switch
This investigation was prompted by Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 10-047 and was based on reports from consumers alleging that smoke and/or fire, as defined in 49 CFR ? 579.4, had occurred inside of the driver's door.The subject vehicles, model year (MY) 2006 CR-V, were manufactured at two different assembly plants.The vehicles manufactured in Japan (Sayama plant) were produced with a power window master switch (PWMS)…
Ignition-park interlock system
All but one odi complaint and all odi crashes are duplicative of Honda reports.all 7 crashes were roll-away crashes that occurred when the interlock system malfunctioned and the vehicles were parked unsecured (not in park, brake not engaged).the 3 noted injuries were relatively minor.the warranty claims shown under other were confirmed by Honda as interlock system failures.in the subject vehicle ignition-park…
Electrical complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2002 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 95 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Honda CR-V, 18% of the model year's 515 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Honda CR-V electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-486 (electrical system, Oct 5, 2012); NHTSA recall 03V-422 (switch, Oct 27, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Honda CR-V electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 111,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 12 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.