2004 Honda CR-V Electrical Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11731479

Incident

Mar 18, 2026

Mileage

125,077 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11683249

Incident

Jul 17, 2025

Mileage

300,000 mi

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 vehicle is available to be inspected.

NHTSA ID

11613134

Incident

Oct 26, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11597285

Incident

Jun 26, 2024

Mileage

195,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11538948

Incident

Aug 12, 2023

Mileage

318,370 mi

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. There should be a recall and this should be covered at 100% or at least a percentage.

NHTSA ID

11537035

Incident

Aug 7, 2023

Front and rear driver side windows stop working after heavy rain. There was a safety recall for this, however my VIN is not included but I believe it should be.

NHTSA ID

11521816

Incident

May 8, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11480146

Incident

Feb 1, 2021

Mileage

160,000 mi

POWER WINDOWS DO NOT WORK

NHTSA ID

11399516

Incident

Dec 1, 2020

WELL MY KEY IS IN THE IGNITION I CANNOT LIFT OR LOWER THE PASSENGER OR REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS WITHOUT BLOWING FUSES. I HAVE TRIED REPLACING FUSES COUNTLESS TIMES THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENS. I HAVE READ AND TALK TO MECHANICS THAT IT IS A MASTER SWITCH ISSUE. A RECALL FROM HONDA IS OUT FOR THIS CURRENT ISSUE OF THE MASTER SWITCH: NHTSA # 20V-768. BUT FOR SOME REASON MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RECALL. IF YOU CAN PLEASE REVIEW THIS AND GET BACK TO ME BECAUSE I NEED THIS ISSUE FIXED I CANNOT ROLL ANY OF MY WINDOWS DOWN WITHOUT BLOWING FUSES I'M AFRAID IT CAN CAUSE OVERHEATING OR FIRE I NEED THIS FIXED. ALSO THE CAR CAN BE STATIONARY IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY AS LONG AS THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION ON RUN THE FUSES WILL BLOW. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

11399146

Incident

Oct 31, 2020

2004 HONDA CR-V LX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STRONG VIBRATION IN FRONT AXLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. *JS

NHTSA ID

11231315

Incident

Jul 12, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK, POWER STEERING, AND IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. WOLFCHASE HONDA (2982 N GERMANTOWN PKWY, BARTLETT, TN 38133, (901) 255-3700) STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS NEEDED REPLACEMENT, BUT THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WOULD REMEDY THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING WAS LEAKING FLUID, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW IF IT WAS THE STEERING PUMP OR HOSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DISASSEMBLE THE POWER STEERING TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING MAY LAST UNTIL MARCH. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD DIFFICULTY PLACING ALL FOUR KEYS IN THE IGNITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11171787

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

Mileage

160,000 mi

DOOR REMOTE WILL NOT OPEN DOOR - DEFECTIVE ACTUATORS

NHTSA ID

11131765

Incident

Sep 1, 2018

Mileage

102,000 mi

FAULTY DOOR LOCKS CAUSING THE NEED TO MANUALLY USE THE KEY AND IN THE CASE OF THE REAR DOORS - THE INABILITY TO UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE. ISSUE STARTED WITH ONE DOOR LOCK (DRIVER REAR) AND NOW HAS STARTED ON THE DRIVERS DOOR. THIS IS A PERMANENT DEFAULT AS IT NOW DOES NOT FUNCTION.

NHTSA ID

11052674

Incident

Apr 1, 2017

THE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. YOU HAVE TO USE THE KEY IN THE DRIVERS DOOR TO MANUALLY OPEN IT. THE INTERIOR DOOR LOCK SWITCH WILL ONLY UNLOCK THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. YOU HAVE TO CLIMB AROUND INSIDE THE VEHICLE TO OPEN REAR DOORS. TO LOCK THE DOORS YOU HAVE TO WALK AROUND TO EACH DOOR AND OPEN IT TO MANUALLY LOCK THEM TO SECURE VEHICLE OR CRAWL BACK THROUGH THE VEHICLES INTERIOR TO LOCK THE DOORS. THE REMOTE CAN ONLY OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER LOCK EVEN THOUGH YOU HEAR NOISES OCCURRING TRYING TO UNLOCK THE OTHER DOORS. THE REMOTE IS USELESS. THIS IS NOT JUST AN INCONVENIENCE BUT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11047172

Incident

Nov 11, 2017

Mileage

183,000 mi

STIRRING IS LOCKED. KEY WON'T TURN. THIS HAPPENED 11082017. I WAS AT A SHELL SERVICE STATION. CAR WAS IN PROPER PARK POSITION AND SHOULD HAVE STARTED. MECHANIC COULDN'T START IT EITHER. PROBLEM BEING INVESTIGATED. CAR HAS 172K.LUCKY THERE WAS A MECHANIC.WENT TO FILL UP GAS TANK.

NHTSA ID

11044925

Incident

Nov 8, 2017

Mileage

172,000 mi

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. THIS IS A SERIOUS DRIVING AND FIRE HAZZARD!. I AM VERY DISSAPOINTED THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THEY TAKE SERIOUS. WE ARE ORIGINAL OWNERS AND HAVE NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF THIS ISSUE. THEY SAY IT IS MY EXPENSE BECAUSE MY VIN IS NOT ONE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THIS VERY SAME ISSUE OF THE VERY SAME YEAR AND MODEL. HAD TO PAY THOUSANDS FOR OUR AIR CONDITIONER TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED SHORTLY AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR BECAUSE OF A LATER RECALLED ISSUE WITH IT THAT ALSO WAS NOT COVERED AT THE TIME. USED TO BE HONDA BELIEVERS, BUT THIS KIND OF TREATMENT IS NOT SITTING WELL.

NHTSA ID

11043805

Incident

Nov 2, 2017

Mileage

193,000 mi

NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 12V-136 / SERVICE BULLETIN 12-023 - - THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN PARKED OR DRIVING, CITY OR HIGHWAY TRAVEL.

NHTSA ID

11023534

Incident

Sep 1, 2015

MY WINDOW CAME DOWN ON ITS OWN TODAY AND THERE WAS SMOKE AND A VERY STRONG BURNING SMELL. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WINDOW AND HE STATED THE INSIDES WERE MELTED BECAUSE SOME WIRES WERE BURNING. I READ ONLINE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID

11006029

Incident

Jul 17, 2017

Mileage

170,400 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11002984

Incident

Jul 1, 2017

Mileage

180,000 mi

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED. I CANNOT LOCK MY CAR WITH THE KEY ON EITHER SIDE. I CAN ONLY OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. I'M RESORTING TO KEEPING MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR UNLOCKED (A VERY DANGEROUS THING). I FIRST WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND DAYS LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE ALSO STOPPED WORKING.

NHTSA ID

10958027

Incident

Jul 4, 2016

Mileage

143,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA CR-V. WHEN INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE KEY FOB FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID

10893124

Incident

Aug 4, 2016

Mileage

180,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA CR-V. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND TAILGATE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ID

10820437

Incident

Jul 15, 2013

Mileage

95,000 mi

PASSENGER WINDOW GOT STUCK ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND DELAYED IN ROLLING BACK UP. ONCE IT ROLLED UP I SET THE WINDOW LOCK BUTTON SO IT WOULDN'T ACCIDENTALLY HAPPEN AGAIN WHILE HAVING WET WEATHER. YESTERDAY, 1ST SUNNY DAY, HAD ROLLED DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER WINDOWS DOWN. PARKED AND ROLLED UP WINDOWS. WHEN GOT BACK INTO CAR 10 MINUTES LATER, NOTICED BAD SMELL AND YELLOW SMOKE COMING FROM MAIN WINDOW CONTROL PANEL ON DOOR BEFORE EVEN TURNING THE IGNITION ON. HAD TO PULL THE FUSE FOR THE WINDOWS TO STOP IT FROM SMOKING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I BOUGHT IT OFF THE LOT. REPLACED PART ON MAY 21, 2011 AND PAID OUT OF POCKET. AGAIN HONDA IS ASKING ME TO PAY FOR INSPECTING AND REPLACING OF THIS PROBLEM. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS! I RETURN TOMORROW NIGHT TO PICK UP MY CAR. *JS

NHTSA ID

10816917

Incident

Dec 28, 2015

Mileage

12,000 mi

FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS WE HAVE HAD THREE (3) MAIN ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE, 1) AIR BAG SRS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON, 2) THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL DOWN AND 3) THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAS NOT OPERATED. FROM THE BEGINING I HAVE CHECKED ON RECALLS/ CAMPAIGNS FOR THESE ITEMS AND THE ONLY RECALL WE RECEIVED FOR THIS VEHICLE VIN # WAS THE AIR BAG RECALL (BTW WE TOOK IT IN FOR THE RECAL AND THE SRS LIGHT IS STILL ON). WHEN YOU LOOK ON HONDA'S WEBSITE TO CHECK FOR RECALLS NO OTHER ISSUES COME UP WITH MY VIN#, YET IF YOU LOOK THE VEHICLE UP BY THE MODEL AND YEAR, A WHOLE LIST OF "CAMPAIGNS" COME UP UNDER THIS VEHICLE. MY VEHCILE HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE SAID MAKE AND MODELS FOR YEARS. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HONDA AMERICA (CASE # 04205532) THIS MORNING AND SPOKE WITH "SERINITY" OF THE PRODUCT CONCERN SECTION OF HONDA AMERICA AND BASICLLY SHE IS TELLING ME BECAUSE MY PARTICILAR VEHCILE WAS MANUFACTURED IN JAPAN (VIN # STARTING WITH A "J") THAT NO RECALLS APPLY TO ME. BUT YET I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR. HONDA BASICALLY HAS STATED THAT THEY CANNOT OFFER ANY HELP ON THIS MATTER. PLEASE NOTE, THERE ARE OTHER SAFETY "CAMPAIGNS" THAT I NEVER GOT NOTICES, SUCH AS WIRING HARNESSESS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO A NON-DEALER MECHANIC FOR AIR-CONDITIONING SERVICES AND THEY STATED TO ME 2 + YEARS AGO THAT THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN TO HAVE A MAJOR DEFECT IN THE AC CLUTCH ON THE AC PUMP WAS DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE AND THUS HEATS UP AND SHATTERS INTO MANY PIECES AND FLOWS THOUGH THE WHOLE AC SYSTEM THUS REQUIRING THAT THE WHOLE AC SYSTEM IS REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED (HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN # 12-072). HONDA HAS ISSUED A CAMPAIGN INCREASING THE AC SYSTEM WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS/ 100,000 MILES, BUT AGAIN THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE, YET I HAVE THE SAME EXACT ISSUES ON MY VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ID

10783260

Incident

Apr 2, 2012

Mileage

60,000 mi