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 2005 Honda CR-V owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Honda CR-V. The contact stated the vehicle had previously been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V768000 (Visibility, Electrical System), and the power window switch on the driver's side was replaced with a water-resistant switch. The contact stated while opening the front driver's side door, the power window switch was wet from previous rainfall. In addition, the contact noticed after attempting to roll down the four windows, the power window switches failed to respond. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH, the rear passenger's side window became inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V768000 (Visibility, Electrical System). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,900.
There was no tell tail signs, my son and I got out of the vehicle and walked inside the Hampton Inn in deming nm standing in line waiting some lady runs in saying there's a car on fire outside so I walked outside and saw it was my car. A fire extinguisher was used the battery and driver side headlight was melted fire damage on driver side only
My driver power window switch melted and failed in the same way described in the current recall for the same model and year vehicle, just not under the SHS vin numbers that are covered. I suspect this recall should cover more cars than previously thought. I noticed this problem after heavy rains, first my windows stopped rolling up and down, then I began noticed a burring/melting plastic smell coming from the drivers door. I took the door apart and tracked the smell down to the power master switch. After inspecting the switch, it was indeed the switch that melted on the circuit board. It seems to have damaged the driver wiring door harness as well, also like the current recall states. All just as described in the current safety recall which I have attached below. …
Approximately 2-3 months ago as I was driving I smelled a warm, buring electical smell coming from the left door. Immediately after this I had noticed my driver side lock, power mirror controls, would not work on the drivers side. After speaking with my mechanic I was told that this issue has a current safety bulletin opened for it. Today I took my car to Apple Honda of York to have the recall taken care of. The issues persisted and Honda refused to inspect the door wiring. The remedy of this solution was to be as follows: Remedy Please call any authorized Honda dealer and make an appointment to have your vehicle repaired. The dealer will replace the power window master switch and INSPECT THE WIRING HARNESS FOR PROBLEMS, replacing it if necessary, for free. …
Master Power Window Control Switch failed operating the Passenger power window regulator. While driving, the front passenger regulator popped and the window started falling down all by itself. It happened by a glass repair company, so I asked them what happened. He said when the voltage going to the regulator is not uniform, the regulator will pop and the window will drop down. He offered to repair it for $200 including parts which I thought was a fair price. I went to a website where they tell you if any parts on your vehicle have been recalled. It did include a master power window control switch for a 2005 Honda CR-V. So I called Middletown Honda, (NY) and they said the master Power Window Control Switch was $405. My car was not included in the recall (which only included switches made in the U.K) and they would only see the car if they could get a new Master Power Window Switch. …
Y 2005 CRV SE driver window stops after rolling halfway up. I have to press window button a 2nd time. The driver window will roll down on it's own. Some 2005-2007 crV were recalled because this problem can start a fire.
Electrical fire in engine compartment, wiring harness melted and caught fire, battery melted. Driving about 35mph, started to smell smoke and the vehicle engine cut out. Rolled to the side of the road, called for help and noticed the smoke getting worse and then seen the flames. Extinguished the fire with the help of bystanders and residents living near by
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Honda CR-v. The contact stated that the driver and passenger side low beam headlights failed to remain illuminated and were replaced four times in one year. In addition, the instrument panel lighting failed to illuminate. As a result, the contact could not view the gauges. An independent mechanic provided replacement parts for the low beam headlights and instrument panel lighting, but the failures continued. The cause of the electrical failures was unknown. The contact stated that the vehicle also exhibited tire cupping for the rear tires. The tires had been replaced every 2.5 years due to excessive treadwear on the rear tires. The contact had the tires rotated every 3,000 miles; however, the rear tire cupping continued. …
Low beam headlights ever since we purchased the car, we've had to replace the low beam bulbs every few weeks. They burn out at completely random times (its happened both while in motion and stationary, in residential areas as well as out driving through countryside, freeways; basically everywhere). Not only is this an inconvenience due to the amount of money spent on replacements, it's also extremely dangerous. They've burned out on night drives in the countryside where our only option was to use high beams the rest of the way, etc. Unacceptable that Honda has not yet acknowledged the issue, even though it's very well documented online as being an issue. There was a recall for this issue up through 2004 CR-v's but they've not extended to the 05 model year.
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
Driver's Master Power Window Switch
This investigation was opened based on three Vehicle Owner's Questionnaire reports alleging smoke and fire occurred inside of the driver's door.The complainants reported that the master power window switch and, in some cases its wiring harness, had sustained heat related damage and required replacement.Since opening the investigation the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received two additional reports.The…
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 2005 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 77 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Honda CR-V, 16% of the model year's 479 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 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 2005 Honda CR-V electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 8 fires and 0 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.