Used 2004 Honda CR-V Consumer Reviews
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Has been the best car
Bought this car new. Have never had any trouble with it. I only live 3 miles from work, but have made long trips too, driving to California several times from Washington state. After 16 years it still seems as solid as when I purchased it.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
The Chevy Vega of the New Millenium
At a little over 18,000 miles this piece of junk needed its transmission and fuel injectors replaced. Now a few days and a few hundred miles after getting it back from the dealer, it appears to need yet another transmission as well as rear brake work (it was fine when it went in). This vehicle was delivered with some type of adhesive spots all over it, presumably from the delivery plastic. We had a roof rack installed at the dealer. This rack does not appear to fit properly, so I fear it is lacking in structural integrity, so we do not use it. The vehicle rattles and shakes at every opportunity. So much for reading Consumer Reports and following their "Best Buy" recommendation.
- EX 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,99513 mi away
- LX 4dr SUV w/ Side AirbagsMSRP: $12,99597 mi away
- LX 4dr SUVMSRP: $8,499100 mi away
Loyal Honda Owner
Bought new in '04. At 71,000 miles, the A/C compressor blew, contaminating the whole system. Estimates cost anywhere from $1800-3000 to fix.
Fun Car
I bought this new and really love it. Love the moon roof, the CD/radio, and the seating configuration options. As a tall guy, I fit in this thing well, even with the moon roof. Towing a U- Haul type trailer on the highway I get a respectable 19mpg at 55mph. Original tires were noisy and rough, but lasted to 50K - replaced with Michelin's. Replaced rear brakes at 72K. MPG have been (very) disappointing - have always beat EPA estimates on other cars. I get almost 25 going to work 7-miles away, but highway mileage is almost 22 on the cruise control. Overall average is 23.7.
Honda CRV 2004
Unfortunately there has already been 5 recalls on this 2004 CRV. The miliage promised with this Honda is not what it is. Many of the special ammenities which came with this car has already fallen apart and I have taken it to the dealer several times to have things fixed, ie. speakers from stereo, latch where you can place your gas cap while fueling up fell off twice, hood of vehicle failing to close, brought back to dealership twice for repairs, problems with brakes X1.
Shame on Honda
I have been purchasing vehicles for over 30 years, and this is the first new vehicle I've ever bought. It is a total lemon! I am very, very disappointed in Honda as I used to think they were a very reputable company, but not anymore. From just under 10K, I started having oil leaking problems that my whole family would smell and each time I brought the car to the dealer for service, they would fix it temporarily. I have 55K on it now, and over the years I have had the oil pan replaced, the oil line, and the latest adventure was the oil sensor. This is a problem Honda knew about! I'm done with them.
This car is s-o-o-o-o thirsty
This car is s-o-o-o-o thirsty Gas mileage is horrible In city (no traffic) 17 miles/gallon; highway 23 miles/gallon. I even went on a trip Seattle LA - Seattle to test/confirm these numbers Dealer said that it may get better after 7500 miles Why??? I think I would NOT buy CR-V if I knew about this gas consumption
It's True...Honda QC is SluMping Fast!
I miss my 95 Accord. It was by far the best vehicle I have ever owned, selling it with 157,000 miles on it. Drove it Coast to Coast and it NEVER ONCE let me down. The 2004 CRV I have now has 57,000 mi on it. It's not horrible..but not great either: I'm 6'1" and can (NEVER) get comfortable due to the lack of leg room...which is primarily my fault for not taking it on a 100 Mi test drive:).. Right! Everything still works BUT the squeaks and bad rattles are Everywhere!..Including Multiple windows, passenger side belt, the front suspension...Mechanic still can't figure that one out! Interior scratches easily, and loud road noise. I'm selling it for an alternative Colorado friendly car.
Beware before buying
I owned a prior CRV and I was disappointed to see that this CRV was lower then my 1998 one was. I have knocked off the CA fuel can for SMOG emissions 3 times now. I have also hit the fuel tank on the CRV with rocks and scraped it going over the same kind of terrian that I took my 1998 CRV. Honda informed me that this CRV was not to be driven on dirt roads or sand, yet they have ads showing this. Even recently I have seen a Honda CRV being driven on the beach (this is not reality). Don't plan on buying this car if you live on a dirt road, it is about as low as a regular car. On the Highway and streets it performs well.
Economy yes, not fun to drive, loud!
I bought this CRV for reliability and economy. This car has performed these functions well. The gas mileage is slightly lower than the EPA estimates. The CRV is great in the parking lot, small and maneuverable. The problems are these: This is the loudest car I've ever been in. The road noise drowns out all conversation. The seats are very hard and make long drives even more uncomfortable. The car even looks kind of wimpy, too. The fuel indicator also shows empty when there is more than 25% of a tank left.(the tank isn' big to begin with) After 3 years I have had enough. I will trade off a little mileage for comfort and styling.
love my honda
I owned an Oldsmobile Bravada prior to the Honda. I traded in the Olds for the Honda to gain better gas mileage...and what a difference it made, I was averaging 11 MPH in town and 19 on the highway in the Olds...with the Honda I average 22 in town and 25-29 on the highway depending on conditions.
Terrific
This car met my expectations for a mini- SUV perfectly. I also shopped the RAV4; preferred the CRV and have not regretted it. 20-21 mpg in town... 24- 26 mpg highway. No problems in 31+k miles. I have stuffed lumber and furniture into it but also know that it has size limitations and is not a truck.
loving the CRV
After owning other Honda models, Toyotas, and a Chevy S-10... I found that the Honda CRV is the right combination for me. It offers plenty of passenger room, as well as interior / climate controlled cargo room. There are lots of thoughtful features, plenty of cupholders and power outlets, great A/C. The fuel economy and power are much better than the S-10. The CRV offers excellent visibility... no squinting through tiny back or side windows.
LOVE IT !!!!!!!
I AM A YOUNG MOTHER WHO WASNT READY TO GIVE UP ON SMALL CARS FOR AN SUV. I HAVE HAD MY CRV FOR 6 MNTHS AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. THE AMOUNT OF SPACE IT HAS IS INCREDIBLE AND U CAN'T BEAT THE PRICE. I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS AND WOULD NOT TRADE IN MY CRV FOR ANY OTHER SUV.
Great Vehicle for Illinois Driving
We like the all year durability of the the Honda CR-V. It's perfect for the Chicagoland climate.
awsome
If you need a car for the next ten years buy a honda. Gas milage is great and comes stock with cd\air and most of all it is great for tall people also I am 6'2" and fit fine.
Good in a way, bad in another
When the vehicle was first purchased, I loved it. Over time, I'd say within a year the traction feel slipped dramatically. The seats and carpeting were immediately in need of new installation. Overall, I've probably replaced about 6 parts in this vehicle over a period of 2 years.
Great SUV
My wife needed to trade in her Accord for something with a little more room. We looked at the Pilot, but was too big, and was worried the CR-V was too small. Thankfully, not the case. Very powerful 4 cylinder engine, and pretty fun to drive. Handles much better than I expected. I drive a Civic, and would never hammer corners in the CR-V that way, but I don't think that should count against it. It handles curves well, and rides like a car. Very comfortable on a recent 6 hour trip. The split seats that roll forward are very versatile, making it easy to "stow & go". Nice to have the 6 disc changer, although the sound system is a step down from her Accord. We miss the big gas tank too.
A C problem after only 36,000 miles
My whole ac unit in my cr-v crystallized after only 4 years old and only 36,000 miles. If I would not have had extended warranty on this car I would have to have paid $4,000.00 to fix it! This is terrible.The mechanic that fixed it said all honda cr-sv do this after 35,000- 45,0000 miles! This is terrible! I am not a happy Honda owner now! Martha Christensen
The little SUV that 'could'.
As a lifelong Honda fan, I wasn't surprised to find their 'crossover' SUV performed as advertised. The 4 cyl engine is has more than sufficient energy to climb mountains and attain highway speeds without hesitation or difficulty. The AWD feature on my CR-V performs even better than I anticipated on snow covered roadways. I was also glad that Honda offered lower body 'cladding' that protects my car's finish on gravel roads. Were it not for the fact that my salesman badly mis- informed me about the efficacy of increasing the wheel size from 15" to 17" (it can't handle snow tires on the larger rim) I would have been absolutely delighted with my purchase.
Our second CRV
Picked a CRV again because of interior space and our delight with our first six Hondas. Had a blowout at 70 mph on the left front wheel, and the car never swerved. All controls easy to reach and recognize by feel.
I LOVE MY CR-V!!
This is my 2nd CR-V to own.. I recommend it to all my friends. It offers so much space/storage but does not feel too big to handle. I can park in any space! The pick-up improved with the newer style. My old CR-V (2001) was the old body style w/4 cyl and NO pick-up. I always said I would not be the 1st off the light but would outlast any of them! Honda quality can not be beat! The acceleration in the new body style is a welcome change and was the only thing I felt needed to be improved! Thanks Honda for making an excellent, yet still affordable Compact SUV! GREAT JOB!
crv
This car handles very well in the snow or on dry pavement. It has a very solid feel to it on the highway.
Great SUV
The vehicle has been all that I expected and more. I am not one of the morons who buy a car thinking that I will never have a problem. The few issues that I had were either diagnosed as normal or fixed under the warranty. The CR-V is a pleasure to own and drive. It handles well and is good on gas. I am 6'-3" and fit in the car well. The interior is well designed (except the silly gear shift lever) and comfortable. The sound system is great. The sun roof is a great feature, never a leak. The fold down tray between the front seats is very handy. There is great small item storage. Mechanically, it is a solid car. Take care of it and it will run and run and ...
My Little Silver Honda CRV
I love my new CRV. Love the manual transmission! It has pretty good power. When you look at it from the outside it looks small, but get in it and it has lots & lots of room. I like the style on the outside compared to the old boxy style they used to make. Feels very sturdy to drive, handles great,and runs very smooth. It is a great price for the EX 5 speed and you get more for your money with all the options.
Great Car!
I decided on the CRV over the Rav4 and I made the right decision. This is a great job and is especially great if you take a lot of road trips. Highway gas mileage is much better than around town.
BEST MID SIZE SUV FOR THE PRICE
I bought this SUV for a 130 mile per day commute.I get a consistent 27 MPG combined hwy and city. The car really moves. I bought the lX model with all the extras but with a stick shift. I had to special order it but the std shift gives excellent control and has great power. Ask for Lud if you buy at Curry Honda in Westchester. He was straight up front no high pressure and was very knowledgable. The car is OK in the snow and the rain. Would Highly Recommend the purchase.
CRV is Combustable Recreational Vehicle
Tight in the Drivers seat. Now CRV is Combustable Recreational Vehicle. If we had know this Design MFG FLAW we would not have bought it now. And Honda HQ says you have to have the basic oil change done at there dealerships??? HUH am I missing something here... the vehicle was rated great ..how did everyone but our Government miss the PINTO like flaw..?
2004 Honda CR-V
I decided to buy my 2004 CR-V due to a track record of high reliability with this vehicle. The CR-V seems small from the outside, but inside it's very roomy with some of the nicest features I like. Power windows, child door safety, got 5 stars rating from NHTSA crash rating... and beatiful design overall. I have researched this SUV for a while...and found out that it is considered the best compact SUV in this class. Highly recommended!
Needs keyless remote entry!
This is a great car overall. I enjoy driving it, since the pick-up is great for a 4-cylinder. I would recommend the vehicle to others.
2004 CR-V
I traded in a Tahoe for the CR-V mostly for the better mileage. I'm getting 21 in town and 27-28 on the highway. I plan to upgrade the standard cloth seats to leather because that's what I miss most about the Tahoe. I'm impressed with the sportiness of the CR-V, and I like the ability to customize it with OEM and non-Honda parts.
Good choice!
This suv is fun to drive, has plenty of room. It's a bit noisy, but way less than any truck I've owned. Bought it with the miles of 2006 (as an '04 in 2008), and am very happy with it.
Dependable Car but short-lived AC
I have my CR-V now for almost 4 years and I'm happy with it. But just 3 days ago, the AC system gave up at 49,000 miles. Mechanic told me to take it to the dealership because he'd seen at least 4 Hondas with the same problem. The dealership, after contacting Honda, decided to charge me just $160 to change the whole AC system as they realized that this thing has been becoming too common for 3 to 4 yr. old CR-Vs. If ever your CR-V AC gives up on you, contact the dealership before shelling out thousands of dollars at private auto shops. Big chance they will cover it for you even if your car is passed the warranty period.
My CRV
I use primarily for towed vehicle behind my 34ft. RV and for local and near out of town driving. To date I am well pleased with the ease of towing 4 on-the-ground and the ease of handling in traffic. Very responsive for a 4- cylinder engine. Good mileage. Overall excellent vehicle for towing and general useage. 5 passsenger capacity a plus A little noisy on some roads and driver rear visibility slightly limited for short persons due to rear 3 headrests jutting up. A good vehicle for the dollar.
Great but forgot a few little things
Downsizing from a 2001 F150 S-Crew, it took some adjusting! This little SUV appears to be a very good vehicle. Solid, well designed and nimble. Several things that coulda/shoulda been included are: 1) tethered gas cap so you can't forget to put it back! 2) tinted top of windshield. (I thought all cars had this) 3)12V power outlet that works with ignition off so cell phone can charge uninterrupted. Other caviat to consider: Road noise is excessive. (I was surprised about this) I do recommend this SUV. Overall it is an excellent value!
try before you buy
On paper an excellent choice; reasonable prices, outstanding reliability, high resale. I find the driving position very poor. Front leg room is VERY tight for anyone of average height. Front seats are very hard and flat;the worst I've had on a new vehicle. Engine and transmission are very smooth and quick. Car is built very well, no squeaks or rattles. Incredible number of storage bins. Ride quality is quite rough; you'll feel every tar strip and expansion joint; does improve somewhat with more passengers. Road noise is very high and the sound of a hard rain on the roof is incredibly loud. Body roll is pronounced. Overall, not fun to drive
quiet rough ride
Rides like a horse drawn wagon, rough, I expected better. Quiet ride, handles well,
My Honda
My experience with my crv has been supurb. I have had to make numerous trips back and forth to the Tampa area this past year because of my sisters serious illness and battle with cancer. And I do have to say my CRV was awesome!! The ride from Palm Beach County to Hillsborough county was so smooth and the gas mileage and performance was fantastic. I loved driving back and forth only because the comfort and the handeling of my CRV was easy. I a woman feared driving the distance but with my Honda CRV I felt very safe and in control at all times.
Great Little SUV
People laugh when I tell them that we cross shopped it with RX330 and a MDX. We added leather and larger rubber, and a navigation system;that's it. My wife wanted a 5 speed and it's definatly the most fun to drive of the 3. It's almost as large with better MPG and tires that chirp through the gears. Honda listen up. Go with the larger tires. It's quieter and handles MUCH better!
Good & Bad
This vehicle typically gets rave reviews. I have a few gripes. The interior plastics grow old quickly. Too many rattles and road noise in the cabin. Pluses are a smooth auto transmission, convenient tumble forward rear seats and excellent side panel rubber molding to prevent door dings. My CR-V had a failed drivers seatbelt, replaced free (after waiting a month) and an airbag recall. Very poor MPG- expect 18-19 on average in combination driving. If you're used to driving a sedan this vehicle takes some getting used to. As far as reliability, it has been all Honda-no problems.
Best Era of Car
I love cars from about 1996-2011. Why? Lots of very dependable cars, easy to work on, not totally computerized yet.... The most common problem from this era is auto paint due to new green regulations. Bought my CRV for 2k with 192k miles. Here are some easy updates that make the car awesome. I put a sweet touch screen radio in to replace the heavy, very bulky, old looking setup ($100). Replaced the rear strut/shock assembly ($100 each). Replaced the rubber bushings and sway bar links that were making noises ($110 total). I plasti-dipped the hood, sun visor, and the rear roof visor above the trunk as the paint was getting bad. The black looks great against the gold paint and was a very cheap fix at $6 a can but is a major improvement if done right ($24). Apply tons of BACK TO BLACK on the black trimming around the vehicle ($8) AND YES I HAD TO REPLACE MY AC COMPRESSOR/CONDENSER ($250). Luckily my compressor failing did not affect the drivability of the car (like so many other CRV reviews state) Other than that, I changed all fluids (including drain and fill transmission). DONT FORGET THE rear dif fluid; mine had probably never been changed before and was disgusting. So for about $3k I've got a car I'm very proud of. The plasti dip looks like vinyl. The engine is awesome. I don't love honda transmissions but this one is still has a lot of life left. 28 - 30 mpg for an SUV with lots of space.... No telling how long this car will last!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
OIL SENSORS
We are very disappointed in our CR-V. It is our first Honda. Even with perfect maintenance, we have had two oil sensors go out which causes the engine to choke. We were traveling at 70 mph the second time and were almost hit. We have had to replace the cam shafts also which is very unusual. At 65000 miles, our air conditioner blew a whole in the condenser. As you can see, we feel ours was built on a Friday at 3:00 p.m.!
SUV not to be taken off road
Just got a '04 CR-V. Took it to my friend's property for some very mild off road driving (got the car in May and I refuse to wait until next X-Mas to try the AWD). The result, $1000 in damages. The EVAT canister busted on me at the first rock. You'd think the car would have some sort of non-Mickey Mouse protection under the car... Overall it rides pretty nice though. The AWD did an excellent job. I've seen anything from Explorers to Humbies getting stock in some places where I did too. The difference is that the CR- V got out and the others always end up requiring 5-8 guys pushing to get them out. Still licking my wounds over the canister, though....
Love to drive
Honda's second gen. body stlye is great. The car is perfect size for my wife to drive. My kids fit in it ( 10 & 2 ). The rear windows roll all the way down. The only complaint I have with the car is the rear gate opens towards the curb. If Honda can change steering for right-hand drive to left-hand drive they should be able to change rear gate opening.
Love my cr-v
As a 3 time Honda owner (Accords and a Civic), I decided to take the plunge into the world of the small SUV. Boy am I glad I did! I will never go back! Excellent milage. Looks great, feels great, tons of space! I love my little baby!!!
Shame on American Honda !
As a huge Honda fan and owner for the last 15 years, I was thrilled when I bought my 04 CR-V. Sadly, that excitement only lasted as long as the warranty. 2000 miles past the warranty it just stopped running. Took it took the dealer and they said it was a "sensor" and it cost me $280! But as frustrating as that was, it pales to what just happened to me. Just like all the other CR-V owners out there, my AC compressor blew up, and American Honda just snubbed their nose at me like they have every other owner. Shame on you Honda! Fortunately, my dealership helped me out with the whopping $3,000 bill, but Honda is doing nothing to help its loyal fans. As a result, I am selling all of mine!
a/c problems
I've had my car for 17 mos., & have had problems with the A/C 3 times. The 1st time the dealership claimed a rock had penetrated my grill & put a hole in the A/C causing fluid to leak. The warranty wouldn't cover it, & I had to pay for repairs. The 2nd time the A/C failed, I took it to the dealership & was told the condenser fell apart. Warranty covered it. The dealership service dept. said that this was a problem in faulty design for 2003/2004 models & they had had the problem often. I didn't have it for more than 2 days after the repairs and the A/C has started fading in and out.
2004 CR-V EX
The CR-V has the same engine as the Accord. It is an I-4, but it is tuned to provide max performance while still getting very good gas mileage. The interior ergonomics are superb. There are multiple storage bins and compartments. Honda got rid of the center console and shifter and opened up the space between the two front seats. Although I have only had the car for a short time, I am confident that the reliability will be above average. The construction of the car is high quality for its price range.
2004 Honda CR-V
The CR-V handles curves without excessive roll. The size of this vehicle is just right for me; don't really need the 8 passenger space of he Pilot for myself since I'm not carting the children around anymore...until grandchildren come around, anyway. Like the performance of the i-VTEC.
Beware of Air Compressor
Yes, the air conditioning unit will fail abruptly. Just my luck it blew out in mid-July in CA. I took it to the family mechanic who said this was the 4th CR-V he's seen recently with this exact problem. Bottom line-you can get a new compressor for $250-$800 (depending where you get it), but it's the WHOLE UNIT that needs to be repaired. After so many complaints, Honda still does not have a recall on it. I can go with mechanic who will charge me $1,300. Others that have gone to dealer pay about $3,000. I called my dealer and was told they'd try their best "to take care of it" for me with "no additional cost." We'll see after I take it in. Brakes have also been repaired a couple times.