2003 Honda CR-V Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Honda CR-V, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags12422.9%
- Engine9217.0%
- Electrical6311.6%
- Exterior lighting376.8%
- Driver assistance336.1%
- Visibility244.4%
- Brakes203.7%
- Interior & seats183.3%
- Transmission163.0%
- Steering142.6%
- Body & structure142.6%
- Seat belts132.4%
- Suspension132.4%
- Fuel system122.2%
- Tires & wheels91.7%
- Other / unspecified71.3%
- Powertrain (other)71.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
SRS LIGHT CAME ON 2 MONTHS AGO. FEAR FOR MY SAFETY. RECALL PLEASE. ELECTRICAL. BACK RT WINDOW AND RT FRONT DOOR LOCK CANNOT BE OPERATED FROM FRONT DRIVER DOOR. LIGHTING. BACK INTERIOR LIGHT DOES NOT TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY. Paint is peeling from all over the car, especially on the front of it. Looks ghastly.
June 17, 2022 my daughter was hit on the driver side rear corner panel by a vehicle that ran a red light. The impact had enough force to spin her 2003 Honda CRV 180 degrees yet none of the airbags deployed. The rear driver side wheel was bent inward and had to be towed.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2003 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the engine fan was inoperable causing the engine to overheat. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who replaced the thermostat, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.
MY LOW BEAMS DO NOT WORK ON 2003 HONDA CRV. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2015, AND SEE THERE WAS A LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT RECALL IN MARCH/ APRIL OF 2012. SINCE THE ISSUE JUST STARTED IN MY VEHICLE, AND THERE WAS A PRIOR RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, I WOULD LIKE THE RECALL TO BE SENT TO ME. ALSO, MY VEHICLE IS SHOWING A CODE P1259 VTEC SYSTEM MALFUNCTION SHOWING UP.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
SRS LIGHT CAME ON 2 MONTHS AGO. FEAR FOR MY SAFETY. RECALL PLEASE. ELECTRICAL. BACK RT WINDOW AND RT FRONT DOOR LOCK CANNOT BE OPERATED FROM FRONT DRIVER DOOR. LIGHTING. BACK INTERIOR LIGHT DOES NOT TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY. Paint is peeling from all over the car, especially on the front of it. Looks ghastly.
There was a recall for 2003 CRV will water getting into master door look switch. This switch would cause fire. The smell off burning plastic and smoke came from the door look switch. The the rear driver window didn't work. I don't use the window so it wasn't important. About 6 months later it happened again the smoke almost caused an accident. The passenger side front door wouldn't work. I changed both blown fuses. And smoke started right away and pooped both fuses. I removed the door look master switch. There are burns and melted plastic on switches and plastic body. I called Honda and they say it's the same symptoms but they're not covering it. There was a recall for this on Honda CRVs of this year for the same reason. Please tell me why some vehicles are covered and some are not when it's the same thing happening. So I am going to send this complaint to you and I'm also going to talk to my attorney.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
SRS LIGHT CAME ON 2 MONTHS AGO. FEAR FOR MY SAFETY. RECALL PLEASE. ELECTRICAL. BACK RT WINDOW AND RT FRONT DOOR LOCK CANNOT BE OPERATED FROM FRONT DRIVER DOOR. LIGHTING. BACK INTERIOR LIGHT DOES NOT TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY. Paint is peeling from all over the car, especially on the front of it. Looks ghastly.
Lowbeams went out when I got off work but highneams were working. I bought new bulbs the next day and the problem unchanged. So I checked all fuses and relays those were all fine. I proceeded to remove the steering column cover and disconnected the connectors and the gray one had what looks like Rust and or melted. This is very alarming because until I can replace the connector I have to drive home at nights with high beams. This may cause an accident and or me getting pulled over for having highbeams on. I do have a picture of said connector I took today 8/16/21.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 85 MPH AND WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 45 MPH AND WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED A SECOND TIME TWO YEARS LATER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS INOPERATIVE AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EVENTUALLY REGAINED CONTROL OF THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL FUNCTIONALITY. TOM KADLEC HONDA (3333 WILDER RD NW, ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA 55901, (507) 281-2500) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES BY A WRITTEN LETTER OR CORRESPONDENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
WHEN IN DRIVE, AT A LIGHT, WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES BRIEFLY, THEN RETURNS TO NORMAL. THIS HAPPENED 3 OR 4 TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR OR 2. ON 06/04/18, WHEN IN MOTION,IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I DROPPED IT INTO DRIVE, IT CONTINUED UNTIL I BRAKED AND JAMMED IT INTO PARK, THEN THE ENGINE RETURNED TO IDLE.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
2003 HONDA CR-V. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR CONDITIONING FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE ADDRESSED I THE RECALL. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR HAD LOCKED UP AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000. UPDATED 2/24/15*CN
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2003 Honda CR-V. The vehicle had previously been serviced at the dealer under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V768000 (Visibility, Electrical System) however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the driver's side front power window switch failed to operate as needed. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MASTER SWITCH HAD BEGAN TO EMIT A GRAYISH SMOKE AFTER HE HAD MADE AN ATTEMPT TO WIND DOWN HIS PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW. SINCE THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW NO LONGER OPERATED. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED HONDA OF PASADENA(1965 E FOOTHILL BLVD, PASADENA, CA 91107) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V768000 (VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKES DO NOT WORK RIGHT, BRAKES GO TO FLOOR, PUT ON EVERYTHING, MOTION4
LOW BEAMS WENT OUT, THEN THE BATTERY BURNED UP. REPLACED BULBS AND BATTERY BOTH WORKED FINE FOR A WEEK THEN HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT BOTH LOW BEAMS AND HIGH. MARKER LIGHTS ARE FLASHING LIKE STROBE LIGHTS. THE BRAKES ARE GRABBING WHEN YOU APPLY THEM. ONE SIDE OF THE REAR BRAKES WEAR OUT FASTER THAN THE OTHER SIDE. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON UNTIL YOU TURN ON THE FAN OR LIGHTS THEN THEY FLASH ON AND OFF.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CR-V. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND DEPRESSING THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SWITCH, IT FAILED TO OPERATE. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,213.
DOOR LOCK FAILED/JAMMED ON REAR DOOR. *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION CAN NOT BE SHIFTED BEYOND D TO 2 NOR 1. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 50,000 MILES ONLY. NEVER EXPECTED THIS FROM HONDA CAR. HAD TO GET THE A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH AMOUNTED TO AROUND $3,200 AND HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR A WEEK. *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I let my daughter borrow my crv, she was coming backing from making errands going around a corner and she could not control the vehicle, she continued to try to turn the wheel in the direction she wanted to go but it would not, she ended up hitting another vehicle and came to a rest in someone’s yard. The officer on the scene did not want to sight her but had to under the law failure to control, he could see it was a mechanical failure. My vehicle has been maintained by several good mechanics but where the frame broke unless you pulled all the plastic down you would never know the frame was rotted. My daughter was 6.5 months pregnant at the time and her doctors told her to go get emergency ultrasounds done she had 2. The day of the accident and the next day. Everything was fine. I did contact and sent some pictures to Honda and all of the information they asked for but never heard back. I did try to send pictures but it would not let me upload.
WE WERE TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN CAR ACCIDENT WHICH PERHAPS LEAD TO THE PRESENT PROBLEMS. I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON CARS. HOWEVER I DO FEEL A SAFETY CONCERN WITH THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD WITH CHILDREN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SENT 4 TIMES; FIX MOSTLY A LOOSE NOISE WITH STEERING ISSUES (THERE CONNECTED?). THESE ISSUES OCCUR CONSTANT DURING TURNS AND ON THE ROAD. ONCE THE MECHANIC WORKS ON THE VEHICLE THE PROBLEMS ALWAYS RETURN. ARE THERE ANY DEFECTS OR SAFETY ISSUES REGARDING LOOSE NOISE, OR STEERING PROBLEMS? AND PRIOR TO ANY ACCIDENT? SECOND, THE DEALER DID SEND THE VEHICLE TO HONDA TO CHECK THE AIR BAG BUT THAT SEAMS TO BE A CONCERN AS WELL. ANY IDEAS FOR ME? THIRD, NOT ONLY DO I HAVE A SAFETY CONCERN BUT THE DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY DOCUMENTATION OF FIXING ANY PARTS. SO WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE IN REGARDS TO; WHAT HAS BEEN FIXED OR A DEFECT PRIOR TO A ACCIDENT?
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Corrosion of the rear frame led to the trailing arm separating, and I nearly hit a tree.
I let my daughter borrow my crv, she was coming backing from making errands going around a corner and she could not control the vehicle, she continued to try to turn the wheel in the direction she wanted to go but it would not, she ended up hitting another vehicle and came to a rest in someone’s yard. The officer on the scene did not want to sight her but had to under the law failure to control, he could see it was a mechanical failure. My vehicle has been maintained by several good mechanics but where the frame broke unless you pulled all the plastic down you would never know the frame was rotted. My daughter was 6.5 months pregnant at the time and her doctors told her to go get emergency ultrasounds done she had 2. The day of the accident and the next day. Everything was fine. I did contact and sent some pictures to Honda and all of the information they asked for but never heard back. I did try to send pictures but it would not let me upload.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS TOLD BY LOCAL DEALER SRS LIGHT LED TO SEAT BELT BUCKLE.. WOULD NOT FIX WITHOUT BIG DIAGNOSIS FEE AND COST OF PART. DID SOME RESEARCH ON WEB AND FOUND THIS LOOKS LIKE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM.
AT 78,000 MILES MY SRS LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DASHBOARD AND WILL NOT GO OFF. *TR
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Corrosion of the rear frame led to the trailing arm separating, and I nearly hit a tree.
"TAKATA RECALL" THE AIR CONDITIONER GOES OUT WHEN THE CAR HITS ANY POT HOLES ARE BUMPS IN THE ROAD. ALSO THE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS DIDN'T WORK VERY WELL.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Similar to an NHTSA campaign No. 19V053000 of Honda 2017-2019 Ridgelines recall, there is a hairline crack on the fuel pump feed port of my 2003 Honda CR-V that is 'spewing' gasoline whenever the car key is in "ON" position, and much more leakage when the engine is running. There is NO engine CODE that is showing in my dashboard. The vehicle is running fine. The only indication is a VERY strong smell of gasoline in the cabin, and traces of fuel leak from underneath the vehicle (along the outside of the gas tank).
The ac compressor and drier on my 2003 Honda CR-V failed and contaminated my whole entire ac system. Contaminants from the compressor have been released. This issue is common for Honda crvs from the earlier 2000’s, because the compressors are substandard. Unfortunately Honda never alerted me of the faulty ac compressor, so I could ensure the ac compressor was replaced in time. Due to this substandard ac compressor, my whole entire ac system needs to be flushed and replaced. I have a new baby and I am not sure if she or I inhaled any contaminants from this issue. This issue was checked and confirmed by a mechanic, and the vehicle is available for inspection. I did not receive any alert or warning messages from my car for this issue.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CR-V EQUIPPED WITH TOYO EXTENSA TIRES, SIZE: 215/65R15. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A SIDEWALL CRACK AND SPLIT THAT CAUSED THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE, DOT NUMBER, AND VIN WERE NOT PROVIDED.
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON I-95 SOUTH @ 65 MPH. TRAVELING FROM BALTIMORE MD TO KITTY HAWK NC ON VACATION. SHE NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE CAR. SHE PULLED OVER AND FOUND THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS NEARLY FLAT AND THE SIDEWALLS WERE COMING APART. SHE HAD THE SPARE TIRE INSTALLED AND CONTINUED TO HER DESTINATION. SHE TOOK THE TIRE TO A REPAIR SHOP. THEY SAID THE SIDEWALL FAILED. THEY SHOWED HER WHERE THE OTHER FRONT TIRE WAS STARTING TO FALL APART. THE TWO REAR TIRES WERE ALSO FAILING. SHE HAD TO PURCHASE 4 NEW TIRES. ALL 4 TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN OCTOBER 2005. THE TIRES ARE BF GOODRICH LONG TRAIL. ALL TIRES WERE ROUTINELY ROTATED AND BALANCED. I CHECKED THE AIR PRESSURE ON 09/10/09. SHE IS ON VACATION. I WILL TRY TO HAVE HER BRING ONE TIRE HOME AS EVIDENCE. SHE DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH SPACE TO BRING 4 TIRES HOME. THE TIRES HAVE BETWEEN 7/32" AND 8/32" OF TREAD REMAINING. *TR
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
DOOR LOCK FAILED/JAMMED ON REAR DOOR. *TR
WE WERE TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN CAR ACCIDENT WHICH PERHAPS LEAD TO THE PRESENT PROBLEMS. I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON CARS. HOWEVER I DO FEEL A SAFETY CONCERN WITH THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD WITH CHILDREN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SENT 4 TIMES; FIX MOSTLY A LOOSE NOISE WITH STEERING ISSUES (THERE CONNECTED?). THESE ISSUES OCCUR CONSTANT DURING TURNS AND ON THE ROAD. ONCE THE MECHANIC WORKS ON THE VEHICLE THE PROBLEMS ALWAYS RETURN. ARE THERE ANY DEFECTS OR SAFETY ISSUES REGARDING LOOSE NOISE, OR STEERING PROBLEMS? AND PRIOR TO ANY ACCIDENT? SECOND, THE DEALER DID SEND THE VEHICLE TO HONDA TO CHECK THE AIR BAG BUT THAT SEAMS TO BE A CONCERN AS WELL. ANY IDEAS FOR ME? THIRD, NOT ONLY DO I HAVE A SAFETY CONCERN BUT THE DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY DOCUMENTATION OF FIXING ANY PARTS. SO WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE IN REGARDS TO; WHAT HAS BEEN FIXED OR A DEFECT PRIOR TO A ACCIDENT?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLICKERS AND THE TRANSMISSION JERKS WHILE IN 1ST GEAR.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS WHEN DRIVING, CAR MISFIRES WHEN RPM REACHES 300
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .