Feedback on 2004 CRV

[badtlc]

My in-laws will be getting rid of their mint condition 2004 CRV this fall. It has AWD and ATX. It seems to be fully loaded (6 disc changer, sunroof, etc.) I'm not sure if it is LX or EX trim. I think it has the side air bags. It has around 120k miles on it. This car seems in mint condition. Everything works and maintenance has been complete including timing belt change around 90k. I think it has seen Mobil 1 since first oil change (if not, Pennzoil full syn when it wasn't Mobil 1). It consumes zero measureable oil so far to this point. No seaps, leaks or anything I can find. Never had AC work done/needed. I'm sure ATF and all other drive train fluids other than oil are original and never been changed.

I really hate seeing a car like this leave the family as I'm sure it has a few hundred thousand miles left in it easily. I'm thinking about buying it as a 3rd vehicle or possibly buying it and selling my Mazda3 and putting the cash toward my new house currently under construction.

Since I hate the thought of this car getting away, does anyone know any quirks or problems with this model year? I found some complaints about the AC but considering the age and never having a problem with it, I gotta think the AC is solid in this particular vehicle. Aren't the drivetrain fluids a bit particular?

 

[Cardenio327]

Takata air bags.

 

[millerbl00]

The AWD versions had problems if the fluid was not changed regularly.

 

[SatinSilver]

The AWD needs the differential fluid changed often. I think the MM or Maintenance Minder system gives a code when it needs to be changed. Hopefully it's been done at least once. It should be an EX if it has a factory moonroof. Change out the pcv valve since the internal spring usually breaks around 60k miles.

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: satinsilver
The AWD needs the differential fluid changed often. I think the MM or Maintenance Minder system gives a code when it needs to be changed. Hopefully it's been done at least once. It should be an EX if it has a factory moonroof. Change out the pcv valve since the internal spring usually breaks around 60k miles.


Maybe it has been changed. I didn't realize it was listed in the maintenance schedule. The FIL doesn't know much about what gets done just takes it to the dealer and does what they say it needs. If anything, he has probably had more stuff done to it than it needed. I need to look at the records and verify.

 

[SatinSilver]

Depends how "good" the Honda dealer is. The Carfax should list all the maintenance done to it if you don't want to look through all the invoices. Or if some are missing.

If it's only seen the quick oil express service done by the oil change techs then they could have missed some things. I would certainly double check at a minimum. Much better than going to Firestone for service.

Sometimes they even miss changing the ATF over 100k miles. And many are running on the original pcv valve over 100k miles.

 

[Dave Sherman]

I had a 2004 CR-V. The 6-disc changer and sunroof would make it an EX. It has a timing chain, so I hope they mean the accessory belt was changed. Rear differential fluid is Honda-only, takes about 1.3 quarts and not hard to change. Telltale sign that it needs changing is if you make a tight turn in a parking lot and there is groaning from the rear. Mine never gave me any grief with the air conditioning, but during that time a number of them had compressors self destruct.

Edit: The maintenance minder lamp on that one was a no-frills light that turned on 8000 miles after it was reset. The fancy algorithm that calculated oil life didn't appear until the 2007 models.

 

[OneEyeJack]

The biggest problem with that car is that it gets dirty when you don't wash it. Otherwise with good regular maintenance including keeping it clean it's got a lot of miles left in it.

Check the Honda in my sig. In it's day (84-87) it was called a Wagovan. Today it would have been called an SUV and yes there was a jacked up AWD version with a 6-speed manual.

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: Cardenio327
Takata air bags.


I went to the NHSTA website to check, and yup. It is part of that recall. It has 8 open recalls for this model.

Seems odd as my Escape has 0 and I would say the build quality of my escape isn't quite as good as that CRV.

 

[supton]

ac likes to grenade on Honda of this vintage, I believe. I also want to say that doing the serpentine belt is a big job for some reason. Did this year have the four speed or five speed auto? Not that the four is bad but I believe the five gained a few mpg.

MIL has one, a 2003, and it is ok. Doesn't appeal to me, but like you, I'd buy it if the price was right, based upon history.

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: supton
ac likes to grenade on Honda of this vintage, I believe. I also want to say that doing the serpentine belt is a big job for some reason. Did this year have the four speed or five speed auto? Not that the four is bad but I believe the five gained a few mpg.

MIL has one, a 2003, and it is ok. Doesn't appeal to me, but like you, I'd buy it if the price was right, based upon history.


I think it is the 4spd (3spd with OD). I think its sticker HWY MPG is 24.

 

[SatinSilver]

Originally Posted By: badtlc
I went to the NHSTA website to check, and yup. It is part of that recall. It has 8 open recalls for this model.

Seems odd as my Escape has 0 and I would say the build quality of my escape isn't quite as good as that CRV.


I think because the manufacturer is quick to recall something even if it's a small number/%

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: satinsilver
Originally Posted By: badtlc
I went to the NHSTA website to check, and yup. It is part of that recall. It has 8 open recalls for this model.

Seems odd as my Escape has 0 and I would say the build quality of my escape isn't quite as good as that CRV.


I think because the manufacturer is quick to recall something even if it's a small number/%


They weren't small recalls. They involved everything from melting wires to shards of glass.

 

[SatinSilver]

Originally Posted By: badtlc
They weren't small recalls. They involved everything from melting wires to shards of glass.


I meant a small number of reported cases to the number of cars involved. But yes those examples do sound significant that you mentioned.

 

[HangFire]

Originally Posted By: supton
ac likes to grenade on Honda of this vintage, I believe.


I think (not sure) 04 is one of the a/c pump "scroll with a hole" years. If it has made it this far it's probably a good one.

 

[dlayman]

I do know that the AC compressor is prone to damage due to its location. It can easily b3 hit by a stone or other road debris, requiring a replacement. Also the valves tend to tighten over time in this model, leading to burnt valves, so I would check the clearances and have them set to the loose side of the factory spec. And the above mentioned differential fluid.

Other than that, great vehicles. see a lot of that vintage in central PA. They seem to hold up very well. 11-12 years old and you don't see rust on them like you do many cars around here. Gas mileage is just OK, nothing special (mid 20's in mixed driving), as it a fairly heavy vehicle, especially with AWD, and not aerodynamic in the least. IMO, that was the best looking generation of CRV, though the just released version is pretty sharp.

 

[rhhsiao]

GF has a 2003 CR-V and it's fairly bulletproof. Low 20s MPG in combined driving. I've run Mobil 1 5W-20 on it for 10K miles with no issues. Biggest problem was her A/C compressor died about a year and a half ago and was replaced. No problems since. Had new tires (CS5 Grand Touring) put on about a year ago and it still rides very well. Had the driver and passenger airbags swapped out just two weeks ago (Takata problem). Her serpentine/accessories belt squeaks when cold out so I'll be looking to swap that out. Also need to do a drain and fill on the ATF; she can't remember the last time she had that done.

All in all, just keep regular maintenance and it'll last.