2003 Honda CR-V
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 108 |
| 1998 | 128 |
| 1999 | 127 |
| 2000 | 129 |
| 2001 | 142 |
| 2002 | 515 |
| 2003 | 468 |
| 2004 | 501 |
| 2005 | 479 |
| 2006 | 398 |
| 2007 | 886 |
| 2008 | 960 |
| 2009 | 386 |
| 2010 | 480 |
| 2011 | 552 |
| 2012 | 401 |
| 2013 | 381 |
| 2014 | 586 |
| 2015 | 669 |
| 2016 | 390 |
| 2017 | 1756 |
| 2018 | 2124 |
| 2019 | 1085 |
| 2020 | 352 |
| 2021 | 323 |
| 2022 | 252 |
| 2023 | 515 |
| 2024 | 381 |
| 2025 | 241 |
| 2026 | 125 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
27% of complaints: air bags — 127 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and inflator module.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow 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, 20260824
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, 20180218
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, 20120411
18% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 86 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cooling system and engine.
FIREShow 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, 20240829
13% of complaints: electrical system — 63 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing wiring and front underhood.
CRASH FIRE INJURY10% of complaints: exterior lighting — 45 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing headlights and switch.
FIRE INJURY7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cruise control and cables.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20120504
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Campaign 03V274000 — check if this car was fixed
OIL FILTER FIRES
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.
Campaign 04V255000 — check if this car was fixed
UNDERHOOD FIRES
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 FOREIGN
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 REIM
Campaign 07E104000 — check if this car was fixed
Driver's Power Window Master Switch
Low Beam Headlights Stop Working
Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating
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 CER
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 VEHICL
Campaign 12V136000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 12V486000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Campaign 14V353000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 14V700000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Campaign 15V320000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 15V370000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 18V268000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 19V182000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 19V499000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 19V501000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V768000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2003 Honda CR-V — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (127 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (86 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (63 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 03V274000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V255000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E104000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V136000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V486000 (electrical system, visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V353000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V700000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V320000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V370000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V268000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V182000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V499000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V501000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V768000 (electrical system, visibility) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.