The 2004 Honda CR-V is almost impossible to find fault in. Road noise can be a bit loud, but there are few other complaints to be made. The CR-V is priced fairly, it’s reliable, it’s fun to drive, and it comes with a low cost of ownership.
Is the 2004 Honda CR-V a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – If the CR-V is not the best 2004 SUV, it’s at least the best SUV under six grand.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – It’s a compact SUV but it feels like a mid-size.
- Reliability 8/10 – Drivers have reported 300,000 miles on the original transmission. That might be unlikely in a used model, but 250,000 is pretty common.
- Safety 7/10 – The safety tech may be a bit dated by now, but excellent crash test scores and anti-lock brakes make for a safe ride.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – 23/29 miles to the gallon, city/highway, is hard to beat in the SUV market even today.
- Value 8/10 – The 2004 Honda CR-V is one of the best deals on the market today. The sticker price may be a bit higher than that of the competing Ford Explorer, but cost of ownership is lower in the long run.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2004 Honda CR-V?
Consumer Reports were impressed by the 2004 Honda CR-V’s overall finish and build quality, as well as the roomy interior, smooth, economical performance, and excellent crash tests. They basically had nothing but positive marks for the SUV, with the one exception being for excessive road noise.
Kelley Blue Book users give the 2004 Honda CR-V a very strong 95% recommendation, with one driver reporting they’ve spent no more than $500 in repairs over twenty years and 305,000 miles of ownership. KBB and Consumer Reports come to the same conclusion, being that road noise is the only real problem here.
Edmunds praised the CR-V’s versatile, roomy interior, they loved the smooth ride and the stable handling, and they praised the SUV for its excellent crash test scores. Their only complaint: The CR-V isn’t really viable as an off-roader. It’s literally a Civic with an SUV body, so it’s more of a cities-and-highways vehicle.
What Common Problems Does the 2004 Honda CR-V Have?
The 2004 Honda CR-V has a remarkably low 487 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 101 of these are for airbags, with drivers reporting failure to deploy, and incomplete repairs pertaining to 9 airbag recalls.
A handful of drivers have reported electrical system malfunctions, with one driver reporting sparks emitting from the driver’s side window switch. Rate of incidence here is very low, but the issue is worrying, so take a look at the wiring before you buy.
Engine and powertrain issues are pretty scarce, totaling fewer than 25 reports combined. There have been a few reports of burnt or malfunctioning valves at under 100,000 miles, but the main issue to watch out for is simple wear and tear.
The 2004 Honda CR-V has 15 recalls on file with the NHTSA, with most of these being for malfunctioning airbag inflators. As long as your CR-V was properly maintained by the previous owner, you don’t have much to worry about beyond the occasional oil change and tire rotation.
How Long Will the 2004 Honda CR-V Last?
Honda CR-V drivers have reported more than 300,000 miles on the original engine and transmission. You’ve probably heard of Honda drivers passing one million miles. But, since you’re buying used and can’t verify the previous owner’s maintenance habits, you should expect to reach 250,000 miles.
RepairPal estimate an average annual maintenance cost of $407, with new camshafts being the most expensive common fix starting at $1,070. AC evaporator replacements are pretty common, as well, at $651.
No it does not have any problems I routinely check it and take it for an oil change and emissions when needed.
It is very reliable. We took my vehicle to Florida and back because we believed my vehicle was most reliable. We made it there and back with no problems!
Nope. No Problems with the Honda CR-V. Works great. Lasts long. No problems for the most part. AC broke but that’s it
It is very reliable. It still runs well at over 180000 miles and my mechanic told me that I have 45,000 miles left to drive on it before the car will no longer run
It is reliable, but the axle goes out quick, and the tires lose air quickly. There is also the lock system problem, where it will just stop locking the doors, alarm will stop working eventually too.
The machine stutters when you drive between 30 and 45 miles per hour. However, you simply need to release the gas for it to work again. The Honda, otherwise, is a reliable car.
Yes, it’s a reliable vehicle. It’s had some minor problems (a fuel sensor had to be replaced and there have been two recalls related to the air bags).
No, The vehicle does not have any problems. As long as you keep up with the yearly car maintenance. The oil alert system is especially helpful to remind you when you need an oil change.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is adequate for 2004. The entry level LX comes with a CD player, and the EX has a 6-disc changer with a couple extra speakers. But, the iPhone wasn’t even invented yet at this point, so phone connectivity wouldn’t become a standard feature in vehicles until a few years later.
Safety technology is, likewise, adequate for 2004. You’ve got anti-lock brakes and full airbags, and that’s about it. The SUV’s crash test ratings are excellent, but 2004 was just before many modern features like rearview cameras and lane keep assist became commonplace.
Is the 2004 Honda CR-V a Good Value?
The 2004 Honda CR-V is a very good value. An entry-level LX typically lists at around $5,250 with under 160,000 miles on the odometer, with the high-end EX listing at $5,805.
Those prices are fair, but the low cost of ownership is what really makes a used CR-V a great deal. The CR-V is one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs on the market, and it’s one of the least expensive to maintain.
What are the Different Models of the 2004 Honda CR-V?
The CR-V is offered in just two trim levels, the base LX and the luxurious EX.
With the entry-level LX you’re getting:
- Power windows and door locks
- Cruise control
- Cassette and CD player with four speakers
- Cloth seating
- Manual air conditioning
- Anti-lock brakes
The top-of-the-line EX adds:
- One touch up/down driver window
- 6-disc CD changer with two extra speakers
- Remote keyless entry
- Four wheel drive
What Engines Come In the 2004 Honda CR-V?
- Whatever your trim level, whatever your options, the 2004 CR-V comes with a 2.4L inline-four delivering 160 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine averages 22/26 miles to the gallon, city/highway, and comes paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission. The LX model is configured in front wheel drive, while the EX is four wheel capable.
What Colors Does the 2004 Honda CR-V Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2004 Honda CR-V?
The 2004 CR-V is a compact SUV that feels like a mid-size. You’ve got 54.5 inches of hip room in the front, and 53.5 in the back, making it easy to fit the whole team in the cabin. The ride is smooth, and the interior trim is luxurious.
After twenty years on the road, the CR-V has generated just 9 complaints for suspension issues, meaning that the shocks and struts have held up pretty well over the years. Still, take the time to test drive any vehicle you’re considering buying, because you never know if the previous owner was jumping ramps in this thing.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2004 Honda CR-V Have?
The 2004 Honda CR-V offers 33.5 cubic feet of storage space in the back, and you can extend that to 72 cubic feet by folding the seats down. If you live in a studio apartment, that might just be all the space you need to move. In any event it’s more than enough for long road trips and taking your friends to the airport.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2004 was the third model year in the CR-V’s 2nd Generation, running from 2002 to 2006.
2002: The CR-V got a total redesign for its second generation, starting with the seventh-gen Civic and adding a new MacPherson strut system.
2003: The center compartment bin was a little bigger for 2003, but that was it for big changes.
2004: Honda added a power door lock to the passenger side for 2004.
2005: The CR-V got a facelift in 2005 with 16 inch wheels and new head and tail lights.
2006: New paint colors were added for 2006, but Honda were already hyping up the 3rd Generation by this point so the 2006 model took a lower priority.
2007: The third gen CR-V is 3.7 inches shorter than the previous model, and about an inch and a half wider. Stability control, tire pressure monitors, and brake assist are now offered as standard features.
How Does the 2004 Honda CR-V Compare to the Competition?
The Ford Explorer is the clear winner when it comes to sticker price. It’s not nearly as fuel-efficient as a CR-V, and it’s not quite as easy and cheap to keep an Explorer running, but if you’re looking for a good deal right up front, the Explorer typically sells for a couple thousand dollars cheaper than a comparable CR-V.
A Toyota RAV4 typically sells for a thousand dollars more than a comparable CR-V, but, despite its name, (Recreational Active Vehicle with 4 wheel drive), it’s not the off-road beast you might expect it to be. The CR-V actually has a couple extra inches of ground clearance on the RAV4, making it both the better, and cheaper, overall choice.
In the long run, you’re going to get more value out of a CR-V. But, a 2004 Ford Explorer typically lists for under four grand, and if you’re just looking for a reliable SUV at a reasonable price that’s a hard offer to resist.
Do Owners Recommend the 2004 Honda CR-V?
Yes the Honda CR-V is a very reliable vehicle that I've had since I bought it brand new in 2004 back in the day.
Yes, it has no rust underneath and still works perfectly! it rides smoothly and sits up higher than a car. It has more miles than I would like on it, but it still has no problem
Yes. The Honda CR-Vs last a long time. I haven't had any problems with it so far which is good. Just a few oil changes.
Yes. The Honda CR-V is a great vehicle. It is reliable and lasts for a long time with minimal effort and upkeep.
Yes. I believe it is a very reliable car with good gas mileage. The Honda has a lot of space inside the car but while driving the car it seems small and easy to use.
Yes. My CR-V is reliable, it gets decent gas mileage, and it’s a versatile vehicle (good at transporting both people and cargo), and it has four wheel drive.
It is an excellent vehicle that is reliable, spacious and affordable. I would highly recommend this vehicle for a family, not useful for a commute for a single person on a regular basis.
Yes! Reliable and includes good storage space and drives well across most terrain. The gas mileage is decent and is not too expensive to fix when things go wrong. I love the body shape of this older model too.
