Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 527 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Honda CR-V, and it carries 16 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 113 | 21% |
| Electrical system | 50 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 45 | 9% |
| Exterior lighting | 38 | 7% |
| Equipment | 26 | 5% |
| Power train | 21 | 4% |
| Seats | 16 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 16 | 3% |
| Suspension | 14 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 13 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The air bags were replaced but the SRS light stays on because of seal belt tensioner issues and it is not been repaired.
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
My 2002 Honda CRV's ENTIRE Passenger Side Airbag Assembly was REPLACED on 11-20-2019, per Honda. This was done as (per Honda) the Inflator bolt was broken and the applicable part to remedy the recall would not be availab
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
My front driver side seatbelt is not working properly and never has. I've had trouble getting it to roll into position instead it gets stuck outside the car door.When trying to find it to buckle up. When I unbuckle the
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V equipped with Primewell Tires, Tire Line: PF850, Tire Size: 205/70/R15, DOT Number: Y9CDCJTX. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, the rear drive
NHTSA complaint: Tires
The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that SRS air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side air bag needed to b
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Driver seat rocks like a rocking chair. Cannot be repaired without replacing rails and seat.
NHTSA complaint: Seats
The contact's husband owned a 2002, 2009 and 2012 Honda CR-V. The contact received unknown recall notifications and post cards, and she would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and man
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that when his wife opened the driver’s side door, the driver’s side power window master switch began to release a white smoke. The contact stated that eventually the
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the 2002 Honda CR-V. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: 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 dea
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 owners may contact customer servic
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.
Risk: If the switch fails, it could overheat and smoke, increasing the risk of a fire.
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, 20
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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-213
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. The
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
| Reliability | 49 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 68 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 83 | excellent |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 527 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 113 of them (21%). There are 16 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 49/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 68/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2002 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.