HondaCR-V2002Overview/honda/cr-v/2002/base/

2002 Honda CR-V

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 CR-V.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2002 Honda CR-V is a compact SUV equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission, returning EPA fuel economy of 20 city/26 highway/23 combined mpg and requiring 4.4 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil for service. Across the model's complaint history spanning 1997 through 2026, this model year has accumulated 527 total owner complaints and 16 recalls, with air bags standing out as the top complaint area. That places the 2002 firmly in the lower tier of the CR-V's reliability record—well below the 2018 peak of 2,085 complaints—suggesting a comparatively stable year for owners, though the notable recall count and air bag concerns mean researchers should weigh those specific issues when assessing long-term ownership risk.

Model year202620242023202220212020201920182002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/26/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 410 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 51R · 410 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-70SR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length171.7 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase103.5 in
Curb weight3263 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 26 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the CR-V of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.1–8.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.10 sec — 2002 EX
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2002EX 2.4L I-48.10 sec16.10 sec160 hpAWD
2002EX 2.4L I-48.40 sec16.60 sec160 hpAWD
2002EX 2.4L I-48.90 sec17.00 sec160 hpAWD
2004EX 2.4L I-410.00 sec17.20 sec160 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, HONDA CVT DUAL PUMP FLUID OR EQUIVALENT in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilHONDA CVT DUAL PUMP FLUID OR EQUIVALENT
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.3 Pints
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6MM Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, 8MM Bolts: 20 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54 ft-lbs, MT: 76 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts33 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8mm Bolts: 20 ft-lbs , 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.06-1.17 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.33-5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance410 cca

Service checks

Engine Compression135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi @ Idle, 50 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.008-0.010 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.011-0.013 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs / 16 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs / 41 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.063 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.905 in / 0.354 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.905 in / 0.354 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Apply engine oil to bolt thread and under-bolt heads, If using old bolts:

129 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees; If using new bolts:90 degrees
129 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
490

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 110,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 20,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 90,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
At 110,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 160,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 Honda CR-V represents a dramatic inflection point in the model's federal record, with complaints spiking to 527 and recalls surging to 16, compared to just 153 complaints and 1 recall for the 2001 model year. This escalation inaugurates a sustained, elevated-complaint arc from 2002 through 2006, a stark contrast to the relatively stable 1997-2001 period. The 2002 model specifically suffers from 113 air bag complaints and 50 electrical system complaints, contributing to 52 crash and 17 fire complaints; however, the data does not specify the root causes for these failures. Because it stands as the most heavily recalled and investigated year at the onset of this troubled era, the 2002 CR-V is a high-risk purchase that prospective buyers should avoid.

16
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
258
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
8
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
527
Owner complaints
52 involved a crash · 17 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 527 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags113
Electrical System50
Engine & Engine Cooling45
Exterior Lighting38
Equipment26
Power Train21
Seats16
Vehicle Speed Control16

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 16 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V182000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 06/03/2019

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… Remedy: 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…

20V768000Visibility:Power Window Devices And ControlsReported 10/12/2020

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. Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 258 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A20-1222022-11-10VisibilityService Bulletin - REVISION SUMMARY - Under WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION, a note was added…
A20-0092020-03-10Air BagsService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
A20-0142020-03-10Air BagsService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
A18-0492018-05-25Air BagsService bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
A18-0462018-05-24Air BagsService bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific CR-V. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 CR-V take?

4.4 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 CR-V have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the CR-V get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 26 highway / 23 combined mpg.