2002–2006 Honda CR-V: what to inspect before you bid at auction

Before you bid: what to have checked

Issues documented for this generation. They are patterns for the model, not findings about any specific car, and many depend on the engine, mileage and service history. Confirm on the unit you are bidding on.

• NHTSA 03V274000: "EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE SHIFT CABLE LINKAGE COULD PREVENT THE DRIVER FROM SHIFTING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO PARK." Consequence: "IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR." verified source
  System: Transmission (major) · Documented around: not specified in recall · About: 2002-2003 model years
  Source: NHTSA recall 03V274000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=03V274000), report received 29/07/2003, 247019 units potentially affected per NHTSA
• Owner-reported torque converter / transmission failure (metal debris in fluid, shuddering, cracked case) commonly reported
  System: Transmission (major) · Documented around: avg 24,885 mi (2002 MY, range 21,000-60,000 mi); avg 121,000 mi (2005 MY) · About: varies by model year; 2005 is the one year where this is clearly the #1 complaint category
  Source: carcomplaints.com CR-V 2002/2003/2005/2006 transmission pages
• Driver-side power window master switch: NHTSA 20V768000 says "Moisture may enter the driver side power window master switch, causing the switch to fail or melt." NHTSA 12V486000 consequence: "A switch failure, and a fire, could occur even if the vehicle is not in use." verified source
  System: Electrical/charging · Documented around: not specified in recall · About: 2002-2006 model years
  Source: NHTSA recall 12V486000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=12V486000), report received 05/10/2012, 268655 units potentially affected per NHTSA; NHTSA recall 20V768000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=20V768000), report received 10/12/2020, 268655 units potentially affected per NHTSA; NHTSA recall 11V456000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=11V456000), report received 07/09/2011, 80111 units potentially affected per NHTSA (2006 MY only)
• Owner-reported AC compressor failure / AC system not working commonly reported
  System: Climate system · Documented around: 82,000-115,000 mi depending on model year · About: was the single largest complaint category in 3 of 5 model years (2002-2004)
  Source: carcomplaints.com CR-V 2002-2006 model-year pages (e.g. 2003 MY: 40 complaints)
• Headlight wiring harness connector: NHTSA 12V136000 consequence: "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." (2002-2004 CR-V) verified source
  System: Electrical/charging · Documented around: not specified in recall · About: 2002-2004 model years
  Source: NHTSA recall 12V136000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=12V136000), report received 30/03/2012, 1375217 units potentially affected per NHTSA
• Owner-reported VSA module failure commonly reported
  System: Brakes · Documented around: ~57,000 mi · About: 2006 model year
  Source: carcomplaints.com 2006 CR-V (top-3 problem that year, avg $1,400)
• Takata driver air bag inflators. NHTSA 19V182000 consequence: "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." verified source
  System: Body hardware · Documented around: not applicable · About: 2002-2006 model years, elevated risk in high-humidity regions (Gulf Coast, Hawaii, Puerto Rico per recall text)
  Source: NHTSA Recalls 19V182000 and related campaigns (14V700000, 14V353000, 15V320000, 15V370000, 16V344000, 17V029000, 18V268000, 19V499000, 19V501000)
• NHTSA 12V124000 (2006 CR-V, 1,316 units): "THE WELD STRENGTH ATTACHING THE SUB-FRAME BUSHING COLLAR TO THE PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT LOWER ARM IS INSUFFICIENT." Consequence: "AS A RESULT, A LOSS OF STEERING CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF CRASH." verified source
  System: Suspension/steering · Documented around: not applicable · About: 2006 model year only
  Source: NHTSA recall 12V124000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=12V124000), report received 23/03/2012, 1316 units potentially affected per NHTSA

Recon cost reference

Estimates from the sources shown, priced as of 2026-09-04. Your shop rate, parts sourcing and the car's actual condition decide the real number. These are not quotes.

NHTSA recalls: verify this VIN

A recall that applies to a model is not proof that a specific car has an open recall. Whether this VIN is affected, and whether the repair was done, is shown by NHTSA's VIN lookup. Check it before you bid.

No campaign list is stored for this generation. Look the VIN up with NHTSA.

Manufacturer bulletins (TSBs)

Technical service bulletins are the manufacturer's own guidance to its dealers. A bulletin is not a recall and does not mean a repair is free. Coverage depends on the manufacturer's terms and the VIN.

• TSB #03047
  Automatic transmission shift cable (safety recall service bulletin)
  Tied to recall 03V274000
  Source: carcomplaints.com TSB listing
• TSB #405
  Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) leaks
  Appears on 2003 and 2005 TSB listings
  Source: carcomplaints.com TSB listing
• TSB #06085
  Warranty extension: vehicle warranty mileage, 2002-2007 models
  Specific covered component not detailed in available summary
  Source: carcomplaints.com 2005 TSB listing

Sources and when this was researched

Last researched: 2026-09-04. VehicleIQ research for this generation; each item above names its own source and whether it is a verified source or commonly reported. Details change, so treat this as a starting point for your inspection.