2003 Honda CR-V Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 1%of 468 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 135,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Honda CR-V, 1% of the 468 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 135,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When in drive, at a light, with foot on the brake, the engine suddenly accelerates briefly, then returns to normal. This happened 3 or 4 times over the last year or 2. On 06/04/18, when in motion,in reverse, the engine suddenly accelerated. I dropped it into drive, it continued until I braked and jammed it into park, then the engine returned to idle.”
NHTSA complaint #11100359, filed 2018-06, 108,965 miles“Takata recall : when I start the car and keep AC on, rattling sound comes and AC stops working. I can see there is one recall for 2002- 2008 Honda crv for clutch and AC compressor recall. Published on jun 6, 2014 if you own a Honda CR-V between 2002 - 2008 then you will encounter a common problem with the AC compressor clutch not engaging properly due to the location and overheating of this part. Need help. Thanks!”
NHTSA complaint #10898182, filed 2016-08, 113,000 miles“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“On december 18 my youngest daughter was returning from a babbysitting job..her 2003 crv accelerator stuck open ..for 5 to 7 miles she pressed on brakes as car was accelerating over 100 MPH..she managed to slow to 60 and engage neutral while car still revving..and shut off vehicle..no dash or warning lights..the car is now at a Honda dealership in chattanooga..the dealer has pics of what happened and brakes were fried as they were new..im 2 1/2 weekks waiting on a reply or investigation from Honda ..im out a car and my daughter needs to get to college..she was on a long stretch of highway at…”
NHTSA complaint #10818583, filed 2016-01, 164,000 miles“My low beams do not work on 2003 Honda crv. I bought the car in 2015, and see there was a low beam headlight recall in march/ april of 2012. Since the issue just started in my vehicle, and there was a prior recall on this issue, I would like the recall to be sent to me. Also, my vehicle is showing a code p1259 vtec system malfunction showing up.”
NHTSA complaint #11386044, filed 2021-01Related service bulletins
- 10098946Sep 16, 2015"service bulletin - the mil comes on with one of these dtcs: p2646/p2651 (rocker arm oil pressure switch circuit low voltage). p2647/p2652 (rocker arm oil pressure switch…
- 10052884Jul 16, 2013Honda: dtc p2646/p2651 or p2647/2652 may be set. The rocker arm oil pressure switch may need to be replaced. Also included model civic si model year 2002-2005.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | 6% |
| 2025 | 25 | 10% |
| 2024 | 24 | 6% |
| 2023 | 21 | 4% |
| 2022 | 20 | 7% |
| 2021 | 33 | 10% |
| 2020 | 41 | 11% |
| 2019 | 112 | 10% |
| 2018 | 530 | 25% |
| 2017 | 531 | 30% |
| 2016 | 101 | 26% |
| 2015 | 243 | 36% |
| 2014 | 190 | 32% |
| 2013 | 97 | 25% |
| 2012 | 89 | 22% |
| 2011 | 37 | 7% |
| 2010 | 53 | 11% |
| 2009 | 8 | 2% |
| 2008 | 23 | 2% |
| 2007 | 14 | 2% |
| 2006 | 11 | 3% |
| 2005 | 16 | 3% |
| 2004 | 12 | 2% |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% |
| 2002 | 7 | 1% |
| 2001 | 9 | 6% |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% |
| 1999 | 5 | 4% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 3 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2003 Honda CR-V
125 complaintsEngine cooling
86 complaintsElectrical system
62 complaintsExterior lighting
39 complaintsEquipment
32 complaintsVehicle speed control
32 complaintsOther or unknown
24 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
17 complaintsSteering
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Honda CR-V
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology