Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
We responded to a safety recall on our 2002 Honda crv in 2013 to replace the combination light switch which might cause a fire or the lights to go out unexpectedly. Repairs were completed 30 oct 2013. In March 2017 the issues identified in the recall were exactly what happened. The switch started smoking and the lights went out. I notified the closest dealership to schedule the repairs for the items to be replaced. The dealer told me that yes this is the item covered by the recall but would not be covered and I would have to pay. This made no sense to me but as I had to drive 80 miles to return home I went ahead and paid. I contacted Honda and explained the problem. They responded that the parts they had previously installed were now out of warranty and they would not cover the costs. …
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
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.
Ever since I have had my car the headlights burn out within 3-4 months. Change one, the other goes out. Averaging 2000.00 over the lifetime of owning my car. The front drivers seat's bolt broke...the service manager said it was bc of weight...I weigh 135# I had to pay to have my seat fixed. Not my fault!! My seat belt will not buckle until the 4-5 try..it keeps on bouncing out of the clicker.
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 was 190,000 and the approximate current mileage was 191,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-v. While driving at 5 MPH, the low beam headlights failed to illuminate. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was repaired by the contact and the details were unknown. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
While driving at night, both headlights went out and I pulled over as to not cause an accident and there was a smell of burning electrical wiring. I turned off the light switch and the smell went away. In my investigation I found the following: date announced: February 24, 2004 vehicles affected: 440,000 summary: on certain passenger vehicles, the low-beam terminal on the head light wire harness can overheat and could cause the low beams to fail without warning.consequence: an unexpected loss of low beams could result in a crash. Actions: dealers will inspect the head light switch and coupler for signs of heat damage. If heat damage is present, the dealer will replace the switch and coupler. If no heat damage is present, the dealer will replace the head light switch and one mating pin in the coupler. Owner notification began on April 5, 2004. Owners should contact Honda at [phone]. …
Detected a burning smell, similar to an electrical smell like something melted. I did have the headlights on, but it was bright enough in the morning that I couldn't tell that they had failed. I stopped immediately and looked around the cabin, etc. For smoke. I didn't see anything, but I turned around and drove directly to the dealer. The dealer did diagnostic tests, etc and couldn't figure out the source of the burning smell other than it wasn't coming from the vents. I guess he didn't check the headlights. I am not pleased. After leaving the dealer during the daylight hours, I later detected on the evening of Friday, oct 28, that the headlights were not working. I recently within two weeks ago had replaced one of the front headlight bulbs that had burnt out, so I figured that couldn't be the problem. I eventually checked the fuses and they looked fine. …
Multiple problems with low beam headlights going out - high beams continued to work in all instances. First incident 11/19/2007 replaced part of wiring harness due to the wiring harness had melted. 9/20/2010 low beams went out again - replaced the headlight switch. 3/7/11 low beams out again - replaced the headlamp switch. 6/2/11 low beams out again - replaced the multiplex control module. 12/2/11 low beams out again - in shop disconnected and connected wiring - low beams working. 12/24/11 low beams went out. 12/25/11 low beams came back on by themselves. 1/4/2012 low beams out again - in shop checked connections. Picked up car low beams working. 1/5/2012 - low beams out again. Approximately 3 other visits to a mechanic - connections unplugged and replugged to get low beams working again. …
On 8/1/2011, while driving our 2002 Honda crv, I noticed a strange smell. When darkness fell, I realized that the low beams on my vehicle were not working, through the high beams and every other light on the vehicle worked. This has happened twice before - once in November of 2009, and once in March of 2010. When it happened previously, I first checked the bulbs and fuses. They were all fine. I then researched the issue on the internet, and looked into a wiring harness behind the steering wheel. I found a wiring harness that contained some corrosion between connectors that had melted somewhat. I scraped off the corrosion and applied some dielectric to inhibit future corrosion, and the lights came back on. …
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
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.
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.
Headlight complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2002 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 61 complaints about the lights of the 2002 Honda CR-V, 12% of the model year's 515 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Honda CR-V headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-136 (switch, Mar 30, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Honda CR-V headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 135,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.