Watch This Before Buying a Honda CR-V 2nd Gen from 2002-2006

Hey everyone! Happy Halloween!

The Honda CR-V is an excellent car with many quirks and features. And, it’s simplicity is the reason we see these things rolling around with 300k miles.
But, with that said, the car does have a few haunting problems.
These issues can be a bit pricey, as well.

So, if you are willing to take on the issues that this 2002-2006 2nd gen Honda CRV will have, then this car is a great buy in my opinion!

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#AutoMotivate #HondaCRV #WatchThisFirst

[bondservantandbrideoflogos]

Power steering issue. I’ve had two of these 05 now 06 both had power steering issues around 170, 000 miles.

Will start with visible leak or if caught early just overflow, when you check the fluid you will see bubbles or froth.

7$ o-ring to fix the issue early. Also may stem from power steering fluid not being changed; I honestly thought it was supposed to be black 😂

This fixed the groaning sound and trouble with power steering cold winter mornings, leak appears to have stopped etc.

If you catch it later pumps are only ~75$ from what I’ve seen. But if you let it go like that it’ll fuck the alternator from it leaking onto it.

The o-ring job is super easy fix.

Surprised it wasn’t mentioned cause it’s a common issues from what I can tell. At least Honda knew too and put the pump right in the top of the engine bay for East access.

CHANGE YOUR POWER STEERING FLUID Y’ALL

[jaimieconroy]

I used to own a 2005 CRV EX. It was the best vehicle I ever owned and I thought I would keep it forever, even though I had the A/C problem mentioned and l also needed to change the rear differential fluid. Other than those issues it was a great vehicle. Then in 2016 the unthinkable happened, I was rear-ended on the freeway and my beautiful CRV was totaled. I have checked out the newer models of the CRV, and they have nice features, but I liked the full-size spare tire and the folding table built in the trunk of the car. These features no longer exist in new models and it is disappointing.

[erikaquatsch]

Common Issues for Honda CR-V 2nd Generation 2002-2006:
0:50 Noise coming from rear differential due to differential fluid going bad
1:13 Check Engine light due to faulty Air-Fuel Ratio Sensor
1:34 Check Engine light due to a loose fuel cap
2:08 Vibration while you're driving due to Universal Joint on the drive shaft going bad
2:37 Vibration from the engine due to faulty Engine Mount
3:00 The Black Death: The A/C Compressor fails from the inside out, metal shavings contaminating the entire A/C system

[coryspang]

Our family used to own one until we traded it in for our Prius V back in 2016. If we hadn't traded it in, it would've been mine in high school. I loved that car. It was synonymous with my entire childhood and teen years.

[sammikhail]

I have a 2003 with 176, 000 miles. Served my family well. I passed it on to my son who drove it through high-school and college. Now my daughter is driving it in college. Only thing that doesn't work is the power door locks. Great car.

[DK-vxzc]

335k on my 2006.. never had any of those issues.. I do regularly maintain all fluids.. Amazing daily driver.. I'll never have another as reliable as this has been

[jeffh.]

I currently own an ‘04 CrV… bought it new. Damn near 400, 000 miles on it. Most problem free vehicle that I’ve ever owned. Still runs great. Better in snow than ANY 4 wheel drive truck! Would buy another if I could!!

[claycook]

2002 almost at 200k miles. Family has owned since 40k miles. Only had to replace starter, cat, o2 sensors, and a door actuator. Still on original clutch! Very reliable and fun on dirt roads

[tomsettles]

I have an 03 with 138K and it runs beautifully. No a/ c problems or other complaints listed here. Handling, suspension, reliability and cabin headroom are best of all time for C-SUVs. What's a problem is the road noise, which drives me crazy when I'm driving on concrete highway surfaces. I give it a 9/10 for CSUVs of this era.

[handycrowd]

Had mine ten years. Now showing 300, 000kms. Solid car, never fails to start, never overheats and has never broken down. Original exhaust and wheel bearings, steering etc.

At this mileage most of the suspension has been worked on, aim for all the rubber bushes and shock absorbers after 150, 000miles (250, 000kms etc). Lower ball joints also fail pretty consistently. One broken rear spring and the starters get gummed up and need a clean if the bendix starts sticking.

2003 years need to watch the exhaust camshaft, they were made out of cheese for a while and they pit like hell with no indication of a problem. You'll most likely find it when you check the valve clearances when you get bored one day.... Go on then, ask me how I know lol! Apparently a hardening issue affected this years camshafts. Don't know what happens if you just ignore it. Could be they'd manage to see out the life of the car. I swapped mine with a good second hand one.

Vague steering (assuming suspension etc. okay) can be adjusted via a nut on the back of the rack. Need a special tool/large spanner (40mm I think)and 14mm one to nip up the slipper (free it up, then run it up to pinch tight and then back off 20 degrees). Tons of CRV racks have been binned when they just needed this 'secret' adjustment.

My brake calliper pistons started to rust and stick at about 275, 000kms. Calliper internals were as new. Buy seal and piston kits to get the car rolling like new. Generally pretty heavy on brake parts but cheap and easy to fix.

Rear brake shields rust out so just remove them (they are a part of the rear hub so replacing them is not worth the effort).

Changing the auto fluid (ATF) is a bit stupid, need to do it three times with a drive in between. Worth it though for the smoothest gearbox I've ever had.

Engine revs like it really wants to and pulls like a train right around to the red line. Pretty nimble for a SUV.
Every time I go thorough the two year inspection I say, this will be the last time, and yet here I am lol!
Love the CRV, best space on the road for the money.

[HeySpecimen]

Coming up on 375, 000km on my 2006 CRV, finally replacing the battery today as it is starting to show signs of being low. Other than breaks and a headlight, I've never had any issues or had to put any money into it.
🤙

[ProperGander]

As an (ex?) owner of a 2002 CRV, I just would like to add: watch your engine oil, the oil warning light never came on, I was driving on low oil and stretched the chain (it did finish the final 1500 km trip before stalling though). Ac seized up long time ago. My personal annoyances were failing and noisy shocks at 250 000 kms, also around the same time a front wheel bearing went and when inspected, they were still factory original from 2002. Also I had experienced fuel economy worsen over time. This little car is like a honda civic with a bigger chassis and AWD so it is reliable transportation with space for hauling. Watch your oil people. I had 350 000 kms on it when I took on the final 1500 km trip.

[basshnter]

Don't forget worn sway bar stabilizer end links, worn brake caliper pins.
Both cause all kinds of clunking noises.
Also keep transmission fluid changed in automatic models to prevent torque converter shudder.

[redheadskierable]

Pretty accurate. I've had to do the engine mounts and compressor (twice!). With the engine mounts make sure you get the correct mounts for an automatic or manual transmission.

[moeb]

Stumbled upon this video while looking for a gen 2. Great info! One ad i looked at posted that the AC was out and needs to be recharged with refrigerant. Might be more serious than that according to your video.. Thanks!

[LS-ebwt]

Just brought an 03 CrV Ex for 600$ bad oil leak, Changed Vtec filter, crankshaft seal, oil pan gasket, NO MORE OIL LEAK.... working on AC next gotta change Expansion valve and I should have working AC, after that changing those bad shocks CRV's have. No other issue than that. I love this car, but I also have a 11 Acura ZDX Advance, 93 CB7 H22A SWAP, Keeping it all Honda from here on, next vehicle is a Ridgeline.... happy trails fellow CRVERS..

[prodriveawayman]

I put my 2005 honda crv through hell weekly!
I'm at 310, 000 mi and going on the 2005. It ran me $1, 300 on AC repair on a 2003 crv.

[yoshiguy]

I'm going for 1 million wish me luck.

[leogrande]

I have put my 03 crv through it and it's still running strong. It is a very durable and reliable vehicle and i plan on driving it til it falls apart.

[amitisshahbanu]

There was a recall on my CRV about the AC in the USA. The dealer fixed my '04 in 2008, replacing the entire system. No problems since and it's now at 143K in 2022. I want to change my transmission fluid for the first time but it's still pink. One engine cooling fan failed in 2021 and my mechanic replaced both.