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 2004 Honda CR-V owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
While driving down the freeway at 6:00 AM in the morning, the headlights flashed on and then off intermittently. I thought nothing of it and then they went out completely and would not come back on right away. I was driving in complete darkness and thankfully the bright headlights still worked. After this incident, my left headlight completely stopped working and the right-side low beam will come on intermittently. The bulb in the left side appears to be working and I replaced it and it still doesn't come on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-v. The contact noticed while driving at night, the low bean headlights failed to illuminate. The contact stated that he replaced the bulb and checked the fuse but the failure recurred. The contact called tameron Honda dealer, (1675 montgomery hwy, birmingham, al 35216, (205) 396--3108) and schedule an appointment. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing and was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not part of NHTSA campaign number: 04V086000 (exterior lighting). The failure mileage was approximately 71,400.
While driving home tonight, after dark, both low beam headlights went out at the same time. Luckily I was able to switch them to high beam, which worked. Upon arriving home, spoke with my husband who checked and confirmed that both lights would not work, but no evidence they had burnt out. A check on the interned indicated that NHTSA recall # 12v-136 was issued. We have owned this car since new and do not recall receiving any recall notice. A search of this side by VIN number did not show the recall. A search by model number did. We will contact the Honda dealer as soon as they are open.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-v. The contact stated that the low beam headlamps failed to operated without warning. Stokes Honda (8650 rivers ave, north charleston, sc 29406) was contacted and an appointment was scheduled; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 12V136000(exterior lighting), but the VIN was excluded. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-v. The contact stated that all of the exterior lighting on the vehicle failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Update to July/2013 complaint regarding SRS light coming on permanently. 9/11/13 SRS light came on permanently again. DTC 15-2 code. The Honda dealer replaced the SRS control unit on 10/1/13. Mileage 114,126. I have the old SRS control unit in my possession. 10/21/13 SRS light come on permanently again. 11/4/13 Honda dealer reset the SRS light. DTC codes were different than the DTC 15-2. Mileage 114,925. No charge by dealer. 11/24/13 SRS light came on permanently again. Honda dealer diagnosed problem as a short in one of the wiring harnesses triggering the DTC 15-2 code. Dealer reset the SRS light. No charge for 4 hours of work. Dealer would not give me any paperwork on service visit. Mileage approximately 115,437 at time of visit. …
While driving at night my low beams stopped working and I could smell smoke. It was very dangerous to just all of the sudden have your lights go out. I couldn't see and others couldn't see me. I turned off the light switch, and the smoke smell dissipated. My high beams still worked. I got online after the incident and realized that I was not alone with this exact type of problem. The problem has been isolated by several other CR-v owners as an electrical problem involving the wiring harness that plugs into the headlight/turn signal switch. In addition, I found an article stating that the NHTSA has opened an investigation of this problem (NHTSA recall campaign number ea11012) . A call to a Honda dealership resulted in a very expensive quote to replace the whole harness (several hundreds of dollars). …
The air conditioner dash board of my 2004 Honda crv stopped working one day, with no signs of problems before, the air was on and tried to turn it off and controls didn't work couldn't lower the level of air either, tried to moved the switch back and forward until finally stopped, but the problem continue for months until the point of not been able to turn it off; I have to turn off the engine so my A/C will turn off. Engine light turned on one day and went off in a day or two then happened again like a month later turned on and then off in a couple of days , the problem continued for about 6 months was hard to get diagnose since by the time I was able to take it to check light got off, it got to a point when engine light permanantly stayed on- I took my car to get that checked and gave a very generic code that not specifying the problem.
Both lowbeam headlights both stopped working at the same time. I replaced both bulbs but they still did not work. No fuses had burnt out, so started to research. After checking online, I opened the plastic casing to the steering column, and found that the switch had burned and the plastic melted. This is obviously defective wiring on the part of Honda, otherwise the fuse for the headlights would have burned out before the switch could have. I find this to be a very important safety issue as this is the primary vehicle for my wife and infant son. Updated 12/12/11 updated 12/13/11
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 2004 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the lights of the 2004 Honda CR-V, 8% of the model year's 501 complaints. The component named most often is headlights › switch (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 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 2004 Honda CR-V headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 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.