Will this mirror work plug-and-play, or do I need to reprogram anything?

Plug straight in—no reprogramming required. Factory connectors match your CR-V's wiring harness. If your vehicle originally had this mirror type, it's a direct swap.

Does the heating element work independently, or only when the car is running?

Heat activates through your climate controls when the engine is running. It's integrated into the factory heated mirror circuit—same behavior as the OEM unit.

What happens if the motor or heater stops working after I install it?

Test the mirror fully before final installation—power the fold function and run the heater for a few minutes. Any defects will show up immediately; don't seal it into the door until you confirm both features work.