2003 Honda CR-V
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 494 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 26 CR-V model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 49 involved a crash and 26 involved a fire. 47 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Visibility, power window devices and controlsDec 10, 2020
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.
If the switch fails, it could overheat and smoke, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 20V768000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019
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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Campaign 19V501000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019
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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMar 6, 2019
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 19V182000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleApr 26, 2018
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.
An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 18V268000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 15, 2015
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 rupture upon its deployment.
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.
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 18, 2015 Honda informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2004 Honda CR-V vehicles in addition to additional model year 2003 CR-V vehicles.
Campaign 15V370000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMay 28, 2015
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.
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.
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 received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.
Campaign 15V320000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsNov 4, 2014
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.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
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 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsJun 20, 2014
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.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
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 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemOct 5, 2012
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.
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.
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 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlights, switchMar 30, 2012
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 12V136000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, glass, side/rearDec 11, 2007
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 VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
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 REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
Campaign 07E104000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalJun 7, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS OF THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG WAS INCORRECTLY WIRED.
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG INFLATION RATE WOULD BE INCORRECT, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER.
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE WIRING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 04V255000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionJul 29, 2003
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.
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.
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 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: vehicle speed control
32 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Mar 22, 2006
THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT ON MY 2003 HONDA CRV CAME ON TWICE. FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED DECEMBER 2005, AND SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED ON MARCH 21, 2006. ON THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT WENT AWAY AFTER CHECKING THE FUEL CAP WASN'T CLOSED PROPERLY. SECOND INCIDENT, I TOOK THE CRV TO A HONDA TRAINED TECHNICIAN AND HAD IT DIAGNOSED. THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED ON 3/22/2006. THE SENSOR INSIDE THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLE IS MALFUNCTIONING. CONTACTED THE DEALER (HONDA STEVENS CREEK, SAN JOSE) AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. THEY NOTED THAT WARRANTLY FOR SUCH PARTS ARE ONLY COVERED FOR 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. MY CRV WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND CURRENTLY HAVE 38,000 MILES, WHICH MEANS HONDA WILL NOT COVER FOR THE REPLACEMENT. REPLACEMENT OF THE COMPLETE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY COST $800+ AND DOES NOT INCLUDE LABOR AND DIAGNOSTIC COST. *NM
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jan 25, 2006
HONDA, 2003 CRV 4WD WITH 50,000 MILES. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSTICS REVEALED P0122 THROTTLE POSITION SWITCH LOW VOLT CAUSED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT TO SHIFT CORRECTLY, AND WILL PREVENT ACCELERATION TO HIGHWAY SPEED. DEALER QUOTED $950.00 FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THROTTLE BODY WITH THE THROTTLE POSITION SWITCH. DISCUSSIONS WITH OTHER MECHANICS INDICATED OTHER FAILURES WHICH MAY RESULT IN A HONDA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) OR RECALL. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jan 23, 2006
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 HONDA CRV ON THE SECOND DAY OF OUR TRIP FROM OHIO TO FLORIDA. THERE WERE TWO ADULTS, AND TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR. WE WERE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. I HAD MY FEET TUCKED NEAR MY SEAT AWAY FROM THE PEDALS. THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, NEARING THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. I PUT MY RIGHT FOOT DOWN ON THE BRAKE, AND IT WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKING OR SLOWING DOWN. I THEN PUT MY LEFT FOOT ON THE CLUTCH TO MAKE SURE MY FEET WERE IN THE CORRECT PLACE, AND THE CLUTCH WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH MY LEFT FOOT. I TRIED MY RIGHT FOOT AGAIN ON THE BRAKE WITH NO RESISTANCE, AND NO SLOWING DOWN. I THEN TRIED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL WITH THE HAND CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL, WITH NO RESULT. ALL DURING THIS TIME,THE CAR CONTINUED TO CONSISTENTLY ACCELERATE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. KNOWING ONLY THAT THE STEERING WORKED AT THAT POINT I JERKED THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO AVOID RAMMING THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. THANKFULLY, THERE WAS NOT A CAR TO OUR RIGHT, THERE WAS TO THE LEFT. THE CAR SWERVED VIOLENTLY, AND SHIFTED UPWARDS AS TO ROLL. I PULLED THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND SWERVED AGAIN. WE SWERVED SEVERAL TIMES, AND AT THAT POINT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR BACK IN CONTROL AGAIN. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A HONDA DEALERSHIP IN FLORIDA, AND THEY TRIED TO RECREATE THE SITUATION. GOOD THING THEY COULDN'T. THEY, TOO, MAY HAVE NEARLY DIED. THEY SUGGESTED WE TAKE IT TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP ONCE WE WERE HOME IN OHIO, WHICH WE DID. THEY SAID IT CHECKED OUT FINE. THIS IS A CLASSIC CASE OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION. AT LEAST 4 VERY VALUABLE LIVES WERE NEARLY TAKEN, AND PROBABLY MORE, GIVEN THE INEVITABLE ENTANGLEMENT WE WOULD HAVE CAUSED WITH OTHER CARS NEAR/BEHIND US ON THE HIGHWAY. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Nov 9, 2004
THE VEHICLE SURGED WHEN ACCELERATING. *NM THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP AND WAS MORE NOTICEABLE WITH THE A/C ON. THE DOOR SEAL ON THE LEFT FRONT DOOR ST THE BOTTOM WOULD SOMETIMES HANG DOWN. *SC
Vehicle speed control, Jan 14, 2004
I HAVE TWO SAFETY RECALL NOTICES THAT THE DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO FIX BECAUSE OF LACK OF PARTS. THE RECALL NOTICES ARE SIX MONTHS OLD.*AK
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 6, 2003
AFTER THE SHIFT CABLE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V 274000 WAS PERFORMED THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING. ALSO, WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IT IDLED HIGH. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Seat belts, Vehicle speed control, Nov 4, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH FRONT BRAKES ON 2003 HONDA CRV.*MR THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. WHEN THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED THE STATED IT WAS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE SUV AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE DEALER DID REPLACE THE LOWER BRAKE PAD RETAINER CLIPS AS PER SERVICE BULLETIN. THE CONSUMER WAS OFFERED TO DRIVE ANOTHER 2003 CRV TO PROVE THE NOISY BRAKES WERE A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WASN'T HAPPY WITH THIS AND WOULD LIKE SOME SORT OF DISCOUNT OR THE DEALER TO PAY OFF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT WOULDN'T LATCH. CONSUMER HAD THE THROTTLE CABLE REPLACED TO ELIMINATE THE NOISE BUT TO NO AVAIL. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE NOISE WILL NEVER GO COMPLETELY AWAY. *PH *NLM