MYRModel Year Report

2003 Honda CR-V

● Typical for this model
2003 Honda CR-V
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
468
Recalls
14

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
8

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

27% of complaints

Complaints per year

1997: 108 complaints 1997 1998: 128 complaints 1999: 127 complaints 2000: 129 complaints 2001: 142 complaints 2002: 515 complaints 2003: 468 complaints 2003 468 2004: 501 complaints 2005: 479 complaints 2006: 398 complaints 2007: 887 complaints 2008: 962 complaints 2009: 386 complaints 2009 2010: 480 complaints 2011: 554 complaints 2012: 402 complaints 2013: 382 complaints 2013 2014: 587 complaints 2015: 672 complaints 2016: 393 complaints 2017: 1,770 complaints 2017 2018: 2,151 complaints 2019: 1,103 complaints 2020: 362 complaints 2021: 334 complaints 2021 2022: 264 complaints 2023: 522 complaints 2024: 391 complaints 2025: 256 complaints 2025 2026: 148 complaints
1997: 108 complaints 1997 1998: 128 complaints 1999: 127 complaints 1999 2000: 129 complaints 2001: 142 complaints 2001 2002: 515 complaints 2003: 468 complaints 2003 468 2004: 501 complaints 2005: 479 complaints 2005 2006: 398 complaints 2007: 887 complaints 2007 2008: 962 complaints 2009: 386 complaints 2009 2010: 480 complaints 2011: 554 complaints 2011 2012: 402 complaints 2013: 382 complaints 2013 2014: 587 complaints 2015: 672 complaints 2015 2016: 393 complaints 2017: 1,770 complaints 2017 2018: 2,151 complaints 2019: 1,103 complaints 2019 2020: 362 complaints 2021: 334 complaints 2021 2022: 264 complaints 2023: 522 complaints 2023 2024: 391 complaints 2025: 256 complaints 2025 2026: 148 complaints
1997: 108 complaints 1997 1998: 128 complaints 1999: 127 complaints 1999 2000: 129 complaints 2001: 142 complaints 2001 2002: 515 complaints 2003: 468 complaints 2003 468 2004: 501 complaints 2005: 479 complaints 2005 2006: 398 complaints 2007: 887 complaints 2007 2008: 962 complaints 2009: 386 complaints 2009 2010: 480 complaints 2011: 554 complaints 2011 2012: 402 complaints 2013: 382 complaints 2013 2014: 587 complaints 2015: 672 complaints 2015 2016: 393 complaints 2017: 1,770 complaints 2017 2018: 2,151 complaints 2019: 1,103 complaints 2019 2020: 362 complaints 2021: 334 complaints 2021 2022: 264 complaints 2023: 522 complaints 2023 2024: 391 complaints 2025: 256 complaints 2025 2026: 148 complaints

2003: 468 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
1997108
1998128
1999127
2000129
2001142
2002515
2003468
2004501
2005479
2006398
2007887
2008962
2009386
2010480
2011554
2012402
2013382
2014587
2015672
2016393
20171,770
20182,151
20191,103
2020362
2021334
2022264
2023522
2024391
2025256
2026148

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

27% · 127 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and inflator module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I got over to the edge of the road to avoid hitting a animal, and hit a small rock (with front passenger tire) and then subsequently had a spontaneous deployment and rupture of my passenger airbag, then my driver airbag deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-24

Takata recall I was in an accident in may of 2014. I was hit on the driver's side door/front fender on a city street going approximately 30 miles/hour in a straight direction. The airbags were deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-18

2003 Honda crv. Consumer writes in regards to recall 11V260000 concerning vehicle airbags. The consumer was involved in an accident on January 30, 2012, and consequently, the driver's air bag failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-11

Engine and engine cooling

18% · 86 reports

Most commonly citing cooling system and engine.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-08-29

Electrical system

13% · 63 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and front underhood.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Exterior lighting

10% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and switch.

FIREINJURY

Vehicle speed control

7% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control and cables.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Sudden acceleration due to gas pedal getting "Stuck". Once a red light turned green vehicle was put into motion from completely stopped position.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-04

Safety timeline

14 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2003-08-19Power train03V274000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2004-02-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-07-01 Oil filter fires
  3. R
    2004-06-16Air bags04V255000 On certain sport utility vehicles, the wire harness of the driver's front air bag was incorrectly wired.

    Remedy: Dealers will repair the wiring. Owner notification began on June 16, 2004. Owners should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2004-09-09Engineering analysisClosed 2005-01-19 Underhood fires
  5. R
    2008-01-15Visibility07E104000 Certain curved tempered replacement glass manufactured by hangzhou safety glass ltd and supplied to safelite by auto temp inc., identified as DOT-430, and sold for use on certain domestic and…

    Remedy: Safelite will notify its retail customers and replace the glass free of charge. Retail customers can contact safelite toll free at 1-888-843-2906. Safelite will notify its wholesale customers and…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2011-04-11Engineering analysisClosed 2012-10-24 Driver's Power Window Master Switch
  7. I
    2011-04-29Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-09-23 Low Beam Headlights Stop Working
  8. I
    2011-09-12Engineering analysisClosed 2012-09-17 Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating
  9. R
    2012-04-27Exterior lighting12V136000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2012-11-02Electrical system, visibility12V486000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  12. R
    2014-09-12Air bags14V353000 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...

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2015-01-26Air bags14V700000 American Honda Motor Co.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  15. R
    2015-07-01Air bags15V320000 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...

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2015-07-01Air bags15V370000 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...

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. R
    2018-06-22Air bags18V268000 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...

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. R
    2019-04-10Air bags19V182000 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...

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  19. R
    2019-08-12Air bags19V499000 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,...

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  20. R
    2019-08-12Air bags19V501000 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,...

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  21. R
    2021-01-29Electrical system, visibility20V768000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  22. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Honda CR-V — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 127 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 86 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 63 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V274000 · Power train
  • Recall 04V255000 · Air bags
  • Recall 07E104000 · Visibility
  • Recall 12V136000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 12V486000 · Electrical system, visibility
  • Recall 14V353000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V700000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V320000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V370000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V268000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V182000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V499000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V501000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V768000 · Electrical system, visibility
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Honda CR-V reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Honda CR-V is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Honda CR-V?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Honda CR-V have?
14 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.