A dozen owners of 2002-04 Honda CR-Vs have filed complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for headlight failure, prompting the agency to launch an investigation.
According to the NHTSA's website, the investigation will include an estimated 288,800 Honda CR-Vs for low-beam failure from switch and connector damage due to overheating and/or melting. Complainants have reported that the headlight switch and wiring harness required replacement.
Honda has not released a statement or service bulletin regarding the investigation, though this isn't the first time the automaker has had issues with headlight failure.
In December 2010, Honda launched a massive recall involved 1.35 million 2007-2008 Fits worldwide for headlight failure that, on paper, appears to be identical to what CR-V owners are experiencing with the latest NHTSA investigation. Honda recalled 143,083 Fits in the United States alone.
For that recall, Honda launched an investigation and discovered improperly installed wiring harnesses caused premature wear to connectors, eventually leading to the overheating and failure of the low-beam circuit. High beams, however, were still operable. For the fix, owners brought their Fits into the dealership for inspection; faulty wiring harnesses were replaced and installed as needed.