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 2004 Honda CR-V owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while rolling down the driver's side window, smoke briefly emanated from the window switch, prompting the contact to roll up the window, after which the window switch lost functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V768000 (Visibility, Electrical System) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 195,000.
The contact owns 2004 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle, a spark emitted from the driver's side master switch as he attempted to roll down the window. Since the failure, the front passenger's window had failed to operate as needed. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V768000 (Visibility, Electrical System) however, the recall was for the same model vehicle that he previously owned. The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer who confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V573000 (Electrical System) however, neither the VIN nor the year, make, or model was included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 318,370.
The contact purchased a 2004 Honda CR-V. The vehicle was a private sale on July 17, 2025. The contact stated that after obtaining the Carfax Report, the contact noticed that the previous odometer reading indicated that the mileage was 300,000. The contact stated that the seller's advertisement indicated that the vehicle had low mileage. In addition, the contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the odometer indicated the mileage was 124,000. The seller was not made aware of the issue.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while seated in the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the driver's side door and the power window master switch was melted. The contact refenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V768000 (VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included in the recall repair. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,077.
The headlights on both sides, specifically the low beams, will almost randomly turn off for up to 30 seconds. I used to drive about 90 miles at night, and on the highway this is dangerous since the speed limit is 65mph. It's a danger to other people on the road since it's incredibly difficult to see with the headlights turn off like that. It's happened multiple times on my ~90 mile trips but have not taken it to a dealer for it to be checked. After the headlights come back on, it's rare that it happens again but has happened multiple times within a quick span of each other. I'm quick to turn the high beams on, since they are still functional during this time. I don't want to blind the vehicle in front of me by potentially shining the high beams through their rear view mirror. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the problem occurring nor after. …
The locking actuator gradually started going, where the locking knob would go down or up slowly as if it was stuck. Then one day the rear doors stopped working, then the front doors started to go. I have to unlock by key or manually inside the vehicle. Not only that though, I started having a weird not start situation. I tested the alternator and starter and were in good margin so I replaced the battery and it worked for a day then wouldn't start up the next day. All the interior lights are off just in case there was some sort of parasitic outlet that is constantly draining the battery. Ive gone through 3 batteries and was about to replace the starter in case there was a bad cell until I found out that the 2004 honda crv community has 600+ complaints for the door actuators draining the battery for this vehicle. …
We were leaving a parking lot when we had to pull over and get out of the car. A very strong electric smell and smoke was coming from drivers side window area. We were all outside the car on a very busy city street because of this incident. After a while the smoke cleared and I went back into the vehicle to see if it would function. The rear windows were no longer functioning. Had a friend take the family home and drove the car myself home and parked it away from the house. Looked it up on the internet and found that a recall for the drivers side power window switch ( 12V486000 10/05/2012 2002 to 2005 crv )was made including 2004 crv models for this very issue. Contacted Honda support to find out why we were not notified. According to Honda support, our model is not covered because we have a different VIN than the same year models that were recalled for the very same issue. …
Car caught fire while parked. I did not receive a recall or warning notice. The electrical cables from driver door looks melted and fire spread quickly. Firefighters had to be called and they had to wet the car and disconnect the battery. This mode vehicle and year shows 5 open recalls, but when I search by VIN# it shows no open recalls. I was lucky not to be driving the car.
On Wednesday, June 9, 2004 my 2004 Honda crv caught on fire after leaving dealership from having 1st oil change. I was originally told the problem was "the old o-ring/gasket was not removed and a new one added on top of old one". However yesterday when I went by to get things out of other car I was told it was an electrical problem that caused fire. Dealership wanted to repair car and give it back to me, but I refused. After watching my car burn I just couldn't take it back....after several hours of discussion and to the point of me walking out and getting legal help, they gave me a new 2004 crv. The following week I find out from a co-worker that his parents who own a 2004 Honda crv also caught on fire and was totally destroyed by fire. This couple in their 70's escaped unharmed. They had just had their 1st oil change day before. …
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.
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…
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)…
Electrical complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2004 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 73 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Honda CR-V, 15% of the model year's 501 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › front underhood (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Honda CR-V electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-486 (electrical system, Oct 5, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Honda CR-V electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 14 fires and 3 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.