HondaCR-V2004Overview/honda/cr-v/2004/base/

2004 Honda CR-V

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 CR-V.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Honda CR‑V is a compact SUV whose engine calls for 4.4 qt of 5W‑20 API‑grade oil and is mated to a four‑speed automatic transmission, delivering an EPA‑rated 20/26/22 mpg city/highway/combined and carrying a total of 13 recall campaigns. Within the CR‑V’s complaint history spanning 1997‑2026, the 2004 model accumulated 501 owner complaints—well below the 2018 peak of 2,085 but above the 2026 low of 99—situating it at a moderate reliability point in the vehicle’s lineage.

Model year202620242023202220212020201920182004

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 economy20/26/22 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 / 22 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.

10.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.00 sec — 2004 EX
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2004EX 2.4L I-410.00 sec17.20 sec160 hpFWD
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

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, 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

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.1
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt
Manual Transmission FluidHonda part number 08798-9031-A
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Transfer Case FluidUSE HONDA CVT DUAL PUMP FLUID OR EQUIVALENT

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
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 700, AT: 800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
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

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)48.0-55.0 psi
Engine Compression135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi @ idle, 44 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 From0.91 in / 0.354 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.91 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
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
136 ft. lbs., step 2: 9036 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.

Owner complaints about the 2004 Honda CR-V lead in one area — the engine & engine cooling, 128 of 501 reports (26%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 13 recall campaigns target the engine & engine cooling, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 34 of the reports describe a crash and 39 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine & engine cooling pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

13
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
130
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
7
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
501
Owner complaints
34 involved a crash · 39 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 501 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling128
Air Bags83
Electrical System41
Equipment26
Exterior Lighting21
Unknown Or Other18
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting13
Fuel System, Gasoline11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 13 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 130 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 2004 CR-V take?

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

Does the 2004 CR-V have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 13 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 / 22 combined mpg.