NHTSA probes 2002-2004 Honda CR-Vs for headlight issues

Federal investigators with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are taking a deep look at 2002 to 2004 model year Honda CR-V after receiving several reports of issues with the sport-utility vehicles' headlights.

The NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation says it has received 12 complaints that the low-beam headlights will unexpectedly stop working. Without front headlamps during night-time driving, the risk of a collision increases due to reduced driver vision and visibility by others on the road.

In some instances, says the ODI, the light switches had to be replaced in order to get the CR-V's headlights functional again. Other reports indicate the wiring for the headlamp circuits were damaged from overheating.

The Office of Defects Investigation is working with Honda Motors to determine the nature and extent of the issue, which may affect as many as 431,000 Honda CR-Vs.

Defect Investigation: 2002-2004 Honda CR-V - Headlights switch NHTSA Action #: EA11012 [NHTSA]

—Paul Eng