MotorDeets

2004 Honda Cr-v: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2004 Honda Cr-v: 12 recalls, 501 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.

12vehicle recalls
501owner complaints
34mention a crash
22best combined mpg
2004 Honda Cr-v
Photo: OSX · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

12 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Airbags Vehicle recall #04V255000 · 2004 · 130,617 vehicles

What's wrong: On certain sport utility vehicles, the wire harness of the driver's front air bag was incorrectly wired.

Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the air bag inflation rate would be incorrect, which could increase the risk of injury to the driver.

The fix: Dealers will repair the wiring. Owner notification began on June 16, 2004. Owners should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Exterior lights Vehicle recall #12V136000 · 2012 · 1,375,217 vehicles

What's wrong: 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. In August 2012, Honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 820,789 vehicles including certain model year 2004 and 2005 pilots and model year 2002 and 2003 civics. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,375,217. Due to tension from the combination…

Why it matters: If the terminal ends melt within the wiring harness connector, the low beam headlights May become inoperative, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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. Owners of vehicles involved in the September 2012 expansion will be notified in September 2012.

Visibility (wipers, glass), Electrical Vehicle recall #12V486000 · 2012 · 268,655 vehicles

What's wrong: The driver-side power window switch May fail or melt.

Why it matters: If the switch fails, it could overheat, smoke, and cause a fire. A switch failure, and a fire, could occur even if the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the recall repair has been performed.

The fix: 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.

Airbags Vehicle recall #14V353000 · 2014 · 133,207 vehicles

What's wrong: American Honda motor company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 accord, civic, cr-v, pilot and Acura mdx, model year 2003-2004 odyssey and element, and model year 2005 Acura rl, and 2006 Honda ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in california, and equipped with takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air…

Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerâ’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014.

Airbags Vehicle recall #14V700000 · 2014 · 0 vehicles

What's wrong: American Honda motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda civic, 2003-2004 civic cng and element, 2002-2005 cr-v, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2005 accord, pilot, civic hybrid, and Acura mdx, 2005 Acura rl and 2006 Honda ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in alabama,…

Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerâ’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015.

Airbags Vehicle recall #15V320000 · 2015 · 6,281,043 vehicles

What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2001-2004 Honda civic gx, 2003-2005 Honda civic hybrid, 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot, 2006 ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2cl, 2003-2006 Acura mdx, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2tl vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that May be susceptible…

Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015.

Airbags Vehicle recall #15V370000 · 2015 · 3,498,481 vehicles

What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda civic gx vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda civic hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda…

Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.

The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015.

Airbags Vehicle recall #18V268000 · 2018 · 1,335 vehicles

What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda accord and pilot, 2010 accord crosstour, 2001-2011 civic, 2002-2011 cr-v, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 element, 2007 and 2009-2013 fit, 2010-2012 insight, 2002-2004 odyssey, and 2012 ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag May have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Why it matters: An incorrectly installed air bag May deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018.

Airbags Vehicle recall #19V182000 · 2019 · 1,101,534 vehicles

What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2cl, 2013-2016 ilx, 2013-2014 ilx hybrid, 2003-2006 mdx, 2007-2016 rdx, 2002-2003 3.2tl, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 tl, 2010-2013 zdx and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2003-2005 civic hybrid, 2001-2005 civic gx ngv, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2007 fit, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot, and 2006-2014…

Why it matters: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda

Airbags Vehicle recall #19V499000 · 2019 · 3,947 vehicles

What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2cl, 2002-2003 3.2tl, 2003-2006 mdx, 2001-2007 Honda accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2003-2005 civic hybrid, 2001-2005 civic gx ngv, 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot and 2006 ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service…

Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019.

Airbags Vehicle recall #19V501000 · 2019 · 1,657,752 vehicles

What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura mdx, 2005-2012 rl, 2003-2007 Honda accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2003-2005 civic hybrid, 2001-2005 civic gx ngv, 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2007-2008 fit, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot, and 2006-2014 ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement…

Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019.

Visibility (wipers, glass), Electrical Vehicle recall #20V768000 · 2020 · 268,655 vehicles

What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2002-2006 cr-v vehicles. Moisture May enter the driver side power window master switch, causing the switch to fail or melt.

Why it matters: If the switch fails, it could overheat and smoke, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power window master switch and inspect the wiring harness for damage, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021.

1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Visibility (wipers, glass) Equipment recall #07E104000 · 2007 · 1,657 vehicles

What's wrong: Certain curved tempered replacement glass manufactured by hangzhou safety glass Ltd and supplied to safelite by auto temp Inc., identified as dot-430, and sold for use on certain domestic and foreign vehicles May not break into small pieces as expected of tempered glass and fails to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 205, "glazing materials."

Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) May be seriously injured by shattered glass.

The fix: Safelite will notify its retail customers and replace the glass free of charge. Retail customers can contact safelite toll free at 1-888-843-2906. Safelite will notify its wholesale customers and reimburse wholesale customers for current inventory and at a specified rate for replacing their…

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 39 mention a fire, 31 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Engine & cooling142
Airbags103
Electrical73
Exterior lights39
Equipment33
Other / unknown22
Speed control / throttle18
Seat belts17

What owners describe

The 2004 Honda Cr-v has 501 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 30 Cr-v model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 533). Complaints peaked in 2004 (89 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 69,850 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (468 complaints, 13 recalls), 2005 (479 complaints, 12 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
2.4 L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive202622Regular
2.4 L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive192421Regular
2.4 L 4-cylManual 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive192321Regular

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 Honda Cr-v.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2004 Honda Cr-v manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 2004 Honda Cr-v manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2004 Honda Cr-v manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2004 Honda Cr-v manual

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FAQ

Does the 2004 Honda Cr-v have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 12 vehicle recalls for the 2004 Honda Cr-v, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2004 Honda Cr-v problems?

Owners have filed 501 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (142), airbags (103), electrical (73).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Honda Cr-v get?

EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2004 Honda Cr-v repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Cr-v years

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