KnownCarProblems2003 Honda CR-V Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 468 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Honda CR-V, most often about the air bags (27% of complaints, typically around 103,500 miles). It is 14th of 27 CR-V model years by number of complaints and has 13 recalls.
Most common 2003 Honda CR-V problems
Air bags
125 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 103,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Received recall notice dated january 2015 requiring air bag inflator replacement. Called to make appointment for recall repair but parts are not available to dealer. Was told it would take approximately 3 weeks for parts to come in but still not available to dealer. It is now 19 march 2015 and still no parts. Am…
On 07-07-16 I had my car serviced at superior Honda of omaha due to an SRS light illuminating on my dashboard. I was told by the service technician that the light could be a result of seatbelt failure because the SRS system is a component of the seatbelts. When I had my 2003 crv serviced at superior Honda of omaha due…
Engine
92 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
My wife's 2003 CR-V has had 3 compressors explode. The first time was at 17,000 miles, the second was at 41,000 miles, and the third was 3 weeks ago at around 65,000. The entire system was replaced 2 times by Honda at no cost (once under warranty and the second time as a 'goodwill' gesture). Though they deny any…
Air condition compressor failed and destroyed the entire air conditioning system. Two oxygen sensors for the emissions part of the vehicle failed. Transmission sensor failed. Engine light stays on. Honda 2003 crv
Electrical
62 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 97,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition.
Vehicle would not start at all, then left it for 2 hours and came back and it started. Then 2 months later it is starting fine, but stalling quite often while driving. It will sometimes cut out and then recover and keep going (the check engine light comes on when it cuts out, but goes out again when it keeps going)…
Both passenger rear doors stopped responding to the keyless remote. They can only be unlocked manually from the inside of the car. Driver door stopped responding shortly there after. Have to manually unlock/lock the door with the key. The interior driver door lock can not be moved up or down manually. Only the key can…
Lights
40 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 121,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, brake lights.
Low beam headlights went in unison while driving at night on a major highway. Exact similar problem was the reason for a recall on the 2002 Honda civic. See below for 2002 recall. 002 Honda civic recall id from NHTSA: 04v086000 auto recall date: 02/24/2004 vehicle component: exterior lighting:headlights estimated…
The contact owns a 2003 Honda CR-V. The contact was driving 55 MPH when the low beam headlights failed without any warning. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the wiring harness had burned. As a result, the wiring harness would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the…
Speed control
32 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, cables.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH and attempting to accelerate to 55 MPH, the vehicle abnormally accelerated to 80 MPH. The vehicle did not respond as the contact applied the brakes. The contact was able to move onto the shoulder and turned the engine off. The vehicle was…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Honda CR-V. While driving 55 MPH the vehicle automatically accelerated to approximately 80 MPH. The contact was able to decrease in speed by depressing the brake pedal. The dealer stated that there was a defect with the throttle cap and made the repair. No other failures have occurred since the…
Equipment
30 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 63,500 miles. Parts named most often: appliance, other, electrical.
I was driving on the freeway and I heard a noise that sounded like something fell off the car. After the noise, the air conditioner was blowing out hot air. I turned the air conditioner off and went straight to the dealer. Since it was late in the day,the dealer could not look at the vehicle, but a mechanic told me…
2003 Honda crv A/C compressor blew apart while driving on highway @ 65 MPH-a few pieces of it escaped onto the road surface-have been researching and found many similar complaints about the crv compressor failing on 2001-2004 models. Please see website town-talk edmunds.com w/same problem. According to reports on that…
Visibility and wipers
24 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, windshield, defroster/defogger/hvac system, rearview mirrors/devices.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda CR-V. After starting the vehicle, the contact noticed a burning odor from the front of the vehicle. The contact was unable to open the window. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Honda CR-V. The vehicle is equipped with a 1982 Honda silverwing air conditioner compressor. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle made a strange sound, the air conditioner stopped blowing cool air, and the vehicle began to decelerate. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic and they stated that…
Other or unspecified
24 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles.
On wed. Sept. 7, 2011, I was driving to work when the gas pedal on my 2003 Honda crv got stuck. I tried to brake at the stoplight, but the car would not brake. I had to go into survival mode, tried shifting the gears, and somehow got the vehicle turned off. It scared me half to death. I was also stuck in the middle of…
The air conditioner (AC) stopped working. I then took the car to my mechanic who told me that the compressor locked up and destroyed many components in the system. He quoted me about $2,000 to fix the issue. I then took the car to Honda dealer and they told the repair cost would be $3500. I live in the dallas, texas…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Honda CR-V recalls
Visibility and wipers: power window devices and controls
Risk: If the switch fails, it could overheat and smoke, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power window master switch and inspect the wiring harness for damage, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began january 29, 2021. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is p9d.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2002-2006 cr-v vehicles. Moisture may enter the driver side power window master switch, causing the switch to fail or melt.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began august 12, 2019. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are q5a and y58.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2003 acura 3.2cl, 2002-2003 3.2tl, 2003-2006 mdx, 2001-2007 honda accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2003-2005 civic hybrid, 2001-2005 civic gx ngv, 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot and 2006 ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began august 12, 2019. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are e5d and x5c.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 acura mdx, 2005-2012 rl, 2003-2007 honda accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2003-2005 civic hybrid, 2001-2005 civic gx ngv, 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2007-2008 fit, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot, and 2006-2014 ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began april 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is o41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is u40.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling specific 2003 acura 3.2cl, 2013-2016 ilx, 2013-2014 ilx hybrid, 2003-2006 mdx, 2007-2016 rdx, 2002-2003 3.2tl, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 tl, 2010-2013 zdx and 2001-2007 and 2009 honda accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2003-2005 civic hybrid, 2001-2005 civic gx ngv, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2007 fit, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot, and 2006-2014 ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began june 22, 2018. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are k1p, and m1o.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 honda accord and pilot, 2010 accord crosstour, 2001-2011 civic, 2002-2011 cr-v, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 element, 2007 and 2009-2013 fit, 2010-2012 insight, 2002-2004 odyssey, and 2012 ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on july 1, 2015. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are ju4, ju5, ju6, and ju7. Note: vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14v353 or 14v700 (honda recall numbers s95, jh6, jh7, jh8, jh9, jj0, jj1, jj2, jj6, jm5 and jm6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13v132 and 14v349. Note: on december
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 honda civic vehicles manufactured march 21, 2000, to january 20, 2005, 2001-2004 honda civic gx vehicles manufactured june 14, 2000, to august 19, 2004, 2003-2005 honda civic hybrid vehicles manufactured february 24, 2002, to january 18, 2005, 2003-2007 honda accord vehicles manufactured february 21, 2002, to august 28, 2007, 2002-2004 honda cr-v vehicles, 2002-2003 honda odyssey vehicles manufactured june 19, 2001, to july 12, 2003, 2003 acura mdx vehicles manufactured september 19, 2002, to june 19, 2003, 2003 honda element vehicles manufactured june 25, 2002, to july 31, 2003, and 2003 honda pilot vehicles manufactured november 26, 2001, to august 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupt
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on july 1, 2015. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to september 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after september 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already rec
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2001-2004 honda civic gx, 2003-2005 honda civic hybrid, 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot, 2006 ridgeline, 2003 acura 3.2cl, 2003-2006 acura mdx, and 2002-2003 acura 3.2tl vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerâs frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began january 26, 2015. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
American honda motor co. (honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 honda civic, 2003-2004 civic cng and element, 2002-2005 cr-v, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2005 accord, pilot, civic hybrid, and acura mdx, 2005 acura rl and 2006 honda ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in alabama, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, u.s. Virgin islands, saipan, guam, and american samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerâs frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during august 2014. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
American honda motor company, inc.'s (honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 accord, civic, cr-v, pilot and acura mdx, model year 2003-2004 odyssey and element, and model year 2005 acura rl, and 2006 honda ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in california, and equipped with takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Visibility and wipers: power window devices and controls
Risk: If the switch fails, it could overheat, smoke, and cause a fire. A switch failure, and a fire, could occur even if the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the recall repair has been performed.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the switches, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on november 2, 2012. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
Honda is recalling certain model year 2002-2006 cr-v passenger vehicles, manufactured from february 19, 2002, through july 28, 2006. The driver-side power window switch may fail or melt.
Lights: switch
Risk: If the terminal ends melt within the wiring harness connector, the low beam headlights may become inoperative, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the low beam terminal harness or replace the lighting switch as necessary, free of charge. The original recall began in april 2012. Owners of vehicles involved in the september 2012 expansion will be notified in september 2012. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
Honda is recalling certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v; model year 2003 through 2005 pilot; and model year 2002 and 2003 civic vehicles. In march 2012, honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v and certain model year 2003 pilot vehicles. In august 2012, honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 820,789 vehicles including certain model year 2004 and 2005 pilots and model year 2002 and 2003 civics. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,375,217. Due to tension from the combination switch wiring harness, wear on the surface of the electrical terminal can occur, yielding copper oxide, which increases electrical resistance. Increased electrical resistance may cause the terminal ends to melt within the wiring harness connector.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: In the event of a crash, the air bag inflation rate would be incorrect, which could increase the risk of injury to the driver.
Fix: Dealers will repair the wiring. Owner notification began on june 16, 2004. Owners should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, the wire harness of the driver's front air bag was incorrectly wired.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: If the vehicle operator fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur. Dealers will inspect the shift cable linkage for corrosion. If corrosion causes binding, they will replace the shift cable.
Fix: Dealers will also install a new corrosion-resistant control pin. Owner notification began on august 19, 2003. Owners should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, excessive corrosion of the shift cable linkage could prevent the driver from shifting the automatic transmission into park.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Low beam headlights stop illuminating
Summary
This investigation was prompted by preliminary evaluation (pe) 11-017, and was based on reports from consumers alleging that both low beam headlights stopped illuminating simultaneously.some complainants also reported that the combination switch (switch) that controls the headlights and turn signals, and/or its electrical wiring harness connector were damaged by overheating.odi's pe information request letter asked honda for certain data on model years (my) 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2008 pilot, 2003-2008 element, 2001-2005 civic, and 2000-2001 s 2000 vehicles.analysis of complaint and honda data show that a complete low beam headlight circuit failure occurs in models with 2-bulb headlight systems
Low beam headlights stop working
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation based on 12 reports from consumers alleging the low beam headlights stopped working simultaneously.several of the complainants reported that the headlight switch and/or its wiring harness connector required replacement to repair the low beam headlight circuit, and also reported that the switch and/or the wire harness connector were damaged from overheating.based on information provided by honda in response to odi's preliminary evaluation information request, odi is upgrading the investigation to ea11-012.
Driver's power window master switch
Summary
This investigation was prompted by preliminary evaluation (pe) 10-047 and was based on reports from consumers alleging that smoke and/or fire, as defined in 49 cfr ? 579.4, had occurred inside of the driver's door.the subject vehicles, model year (my) 2006 cr-v, were manufactured at two different assembly plants.the vehicles manufactured in japan (sayama plant) were produced with a power window master switch (pwms) supplied by the thai toyo denso company, ltd. (denso).the vehicles manufactured in the united kingdom (uk, swindon, england plant) were produced with a pwms supplied by the omron corporation (omron).honda provided 45 reports on the subject vehicles responsive to this investigation
Underhood fires
Summary
In documents provided during ea04-027, honda identified a mechanism which causes the rubber seal (gasket) of the original equipment (oe) oil filter to adhere to the engine block of the subject vehicles.if an adhered seal remains when the oe filter is removed and a new filter is installed, a double gasket condition results.a subsequent rupture of the extraneous seal can result in oil contacting nearby exhaust system surfaces and a fire may occur.throughout its discussions with odi, honda has maintained that it is the servicing technician?s responsibility to inspect for and remove the seal prior to installing a new filter.odi?s analysis found that seal adhesion, in conjunction with technician
Oil filter fires
Summary
This investigation identified 32 incidents of oil filter leakage in the subject vehicle population, with 22 resulting in vehicle fires.all of the incidents occurred following oil changes.honda's investigation of 14 of the fire incidents determined that five oil filters had stacked seals (double-gasketing), and nine oil filters had distorted or pinched seals.according to honda, both conditions result from failure to follow necessary repair procedures. Stacked seals result from failure of the service technician to remove the old seal prior to installing the new filter and seal.distorted or pinched seals result from failure to properly lubricate the new seal prior to installation. Oil leakage f
Questions about the 2003 Honda CR-V
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Honda CR-V?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (125 complaints, typically around 103,500 miles); engine (92 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles); electrical (62 complaints, typically around 97,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Honda CR-V have?
- 13 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 10, 2020 (visibility and wipers). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Honda CR-V?
- It is 14th of 27 CR-V model years by number of complaints, with 468 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.