Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2002 Honda CR-V
The 2002 Honda CR-V has a significant number of recalls (16) and owner complaints (515), mainly around airbags, electrical systems, and exterior lighting. While these issues are not uncommon for this production year, they warrant thorough inspection. Given the limited data in other areas, ensure to conduct a detailed pre-purchase inspection and test drive.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Honda CR-V has 16 NHTSA recall campaigns and 515 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #20V768000 Driver Side Power Window Switch May Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V501000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V499000 Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V182000 Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V268000 Improperly Installed Passenger Air Bag NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V370000 Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V320000 Driver's Frontal Air Bag May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V700000 Passenger Air Bag Inflator May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V486000 Driver Side Power Window Switch May Fail or Melt NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V136000 LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E104000 CURVED TEMPERED AUTOMOTIVE REPLACEMENT GLASS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V255000 HONDA/AIR BAG WIRING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V422000 HONDA/METAL PARTICLES IN IGNITION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V274000 HONDA/SHIFT CABLE LINKAGE CORROSION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V251000 HONDA/FRONT SEAT ANCHORAGE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V351000 HONDA/SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Air Bags 143 complaints
- Electrical System 95 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 60 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 58 complaints
- Equipment 39 complaints
- Seat Belts 25 complaints
Of the 515 complaints on file, 48 report a crash and 17 a fire; across all 515 complaints, owners report 48 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Airbag inflator defects
How to check: Ensure recall repairs have been completed properly.
Driver-side power window failure
How to check: Test each window switch for proper operation.
Headlight switch failures
How to check: Inspect headlight switch for functionality.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for strange engine noises.
Red flag: Loud knocking sounds
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check dashboard for warning lights.
Red flag: Persistent warning lights
- 03
Initial acceleration
What to check: Observe transmission smoothness.
Red flag: Rough gear shifts
- 04
City driving
What to check: Test brakes for responsiveness.
Red flag: Spongy brake pedal
- 05
Highway speed
What to check: Test steering for stability.
Red flag: Wandering or instability
- 06
Final idle
What to check: Check for engine overheating signs.
Red flag: High temperature gauge reading
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the airbag recall been addressed?
- Any recurring electrical issues?
- Has the power window switch failed before?
- Are there any persistent warning lights?
- Have the headlights been repaired?
- Any recent transmission issues?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall repair records
- Complete service history
- Title and registration
- Recent inspection report
- Proof of airbag recall completion
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Honda CR-V at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
Looking at a specific 2002 Honda CR-V? Check the actual car
This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.