2003 Honda CR-V Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the air bag inflator recalls and about the air conditioning system failing, usually with a rattling or grinding noise followed by warm air. Window switches, headlights and occasional unexpected acceleration are also reported, with many of these reports filed at higher mileages on an older vehicle.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Air bag recall and SRS warning light repairs

   • 119 complaints (25%)
   • median 97,500 mi at 11.5 yrs old (50 state mileage)
   • 30 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,900 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2026

   Complaints describe owners taking the vehicle in for the Takata inflator recalls and later finding the SRS warning light on, with dealers sometimes saying the air bag system may not work. Others report the SRS light coming on by itself, traced to a seat sensor or the SRS control unit, and some describe waiting weeks or months for recall parts. A few owners report the air bags did not deploy in a collision. Reports span low and high mileage, from under 30,000 miles to over 180,000, and many were filed after recall work.

   Recall 19V501000Recall 19V499000Recall 19V182000Recall 18V268000Recall 15V370000Recall 15V320000Recall 14V700000Recall 14V353000Recall 04V2550005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the driver and passenger inflator recalls were completed and whether the SRS light stays off after a repair; have the SRS codes read before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall at my local Honda dealers request I made an appointment to get my airbag repaired according to the recall. Upon repair my car was returned with the srs light continually on. I inquired about this issue and was informed the srs system failed this was never a problem before the repair and Honda called the incident coincidental. The repair resulted in having no airbag system at all. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10838071, filed 2016-02, 188,000 miles

   “I had a serious three car accident on july 31, 2005. I hit the rear of a car in front of me at 35-40 MPH. I had my seat belt on. My airbag never deployed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10131450, filed 2005-08, 33,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   A/C compressor failure with grinding or rattling

   • 69 complaints (15%)
   • median 66,223 mi at 6.0 yrs old (61 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,800 (median of 26 quotes)
   • filed 2004–2021

   Owners describe the air conditioner quitting suddenly, often after a rattling, grinding or marble-like noise from the engine bay and sometimes a puff of smoke. Shops commonly report metal debris throughout the system, so the compressor, clutch, condenser and related parts are replaced together. Some owners say the dealer covered part of the cost as a goodwill gesture or warranty adjustment, while others report being told it was not a known issue. Many reports fall between roughly 20,000 and 90,000 miles, with failures described as sudden rather than gradual.

   What to check: Run the A/C on a warm day and listen for rattles or grinding from the compressor; ask whether the compressor or condenser has ever been replaced and whether the system was flushed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My AC system went out at about 80,000 mi. The Honda dealer said both fans had burnt out and the whole system was contaminated. They split the cost with me but it still cost me $1600. I asked if there was a recall and he said there wasn't but the number of complaints I am seeing make me feel that Honda should take more responsibility. The system failed. I did nothing to cause it. I feel cheated and am now looking at toyota for a replacement car.”

   NHTSA complaint #10245477, filed 2008-10, 80,000 miles

   “I own a 2003 Honda CR-V with only 54,400 miles and the A/C just stopped working. I just took my car to midas shop to get A/C recharge. I was told after inspection that there is a leak on the A/C compressor. The cost to repair will be close to $1400.”

   NHTSA complaint #10266429, filed 2009-04, 54,383 miles
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Unexpected acceleration or sticking throttle

   • 37 complaints (8%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 7.6 yrs old (35 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2018

   Complaints describe the vehicle accelerating on its own or the gas pedal sticking, in some cases with cruise control on but not set, and braking having little effect until the vehicle was shifted into park or shut off. Owners also report throttle body or throttle position sensor replacement and throttle cleaning at the dealer. One owner reported a pedal that went to the floor with the engine revving. Reported from about 50,000 to 135,000 miles, usually during highway driving or when pulling away from a stop.

   What to check: Ask whether the throttle body or pedal assembly has been serviced, and have a mechanic check for stored throttle codes and free pedal and cable movement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My family and I were driving on an interstate, traveling up a slight hill at 65 MPH. I stepped on the accelerator to increase power, and the pedal suddenly went right to the floor and the engine rpms increased from 3k to about 5.5k. The crv accelerated rapidly, approaching 80 MPH, and I removed my foot from the pedal. The engine was completely unresponsive, and the crv continued to accelerate to 85 MPH. At this point, I made sure that the cruise control was turned off. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10524551, filed 2013-07, 135,000 miles

   “When I placed the CR-V in reverse to back out of my drive way my foot slip from the brake and hit the accelerator the car catapulted hitting my Honda accord on the rear panel of the driver side, my accord was parked perpendicular to the driving path I informed Honda recommended design changes.. I remember that I used to own a toyota camry where the brake and accelerator pedal had enough gap that I could place my foot between the two pedals. Will gladly furnished pictures of the damage and the brake pedal .”

   NHTSA complaint #10515421, filed 2013-06, 96,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Power window switch failure and smoking

   • 21 complaints (4%)
   • median 121,000 mi at 13.7 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2023

   Complaints describe the driver-side master window switch failing so that some windows will not go up or down, and in some cases the switch emitted grayish smoke or an electrical burning smell. Several owners mention the moisture-related window switch recalls, and some report the problem returning or the vehicle not being covered by the campaign. Dealers sometimes found worn window tracks in addition to the switch. Mostly reported on vehicles well past 60,000 miles, with several reports above 100,000 and occasional recurrence after a recall repair.

   Recall 20V768000Recall 12V4860001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Exercise every window from the driver's switch and note any slow or dead windows; ask whether the window switch recall was performed and whether the switch has been replaced since.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving to work the morning of 4/16/2013 I smelled a strange odor like an electrical component was getting hot or melting. I saw no smoke or fire & other than the smell, could not detect anything deleterious to the operation/handling of my vehicle. When I left work that day, I lowered the windows using the window master switch cluster on the left front door armrest to get fresh air while driving. All the windows lowered but the right rear would not. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10509608, filed 2013-04, 68,480 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10981729, filed 2017-05, 215,213 miles
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights dimming, flickering or going out

   • 29 complaints (6%)
   • median 123,860 mi at 9.0 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2017

   Owners describe headlights that dim, flicker or shut off while driving, sometimes with both lamps out at once and only the high beams or daytime running lights working. Complaints mention melted or corroded headlight connectors and, in one case, replacement of the headlight switch on the steering column, with the failure sometimes returning after repair. Some owners also report repeated bulb replacement. Typically reported on higher-mileage vehicles, mostly above 100,000 miles.

   Recall 12V136000

   What to check: Check both low beams and inspect the headlight connectors and wiring for corrosion or melting; confirm whether the headlight switch recall applies to the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a new 2003 CR-V in 2003. In the fall of 2003 a vehicle struck the CR-V in the right front area. The CR-V was repaired at a local dealer's body shop. Due to a parts shortage it was several weeks before the repairs were completed. In spring of 2004 I replaced a headlamp that had quit burning on low beam setting. The opposite bulb stopped working a few days later and was replaced. About 4 months after replacing the first bulb another I experienced another bulb failure on low beam setting. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10423230, filed 2011-09, 1,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2003 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that the headlights begin to dim abnormally before failing. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the headlight switch that was attached to the steering column. The failure and current mileage was 108,000. Updated 5/24/11 updated 06/06/11”

   NHTSA complaint #10398813, filed 2011-05, 108,000 miles

Buying note. Confirm that the outstanding air bag and window switch recalls have been completed on any example you consider, and budget for possible A/C and window switch repairs on a vehicle of this age. A pre-purchase inspection that checks the A/C, headlights, window switches and throttle response covers most of what owners report.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 80 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.