2003 Honda CR-V Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 8%of 468 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Honda CR-V, 8% of the 468 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Lost low beam headlights on 2003 Honda CR-V. Service bulletin 04-015 describes the exact issue for the Honda civic. I can visibly see the burnt combination light switch 16p connecter when I remove the steering wheel cover. This should be a recall. Very dangerous. There are numerous complaints about this issue with this vehicle on-line.”
NHTSA complaint #10576566, filed 2014-04, 180,000 miles“2003 Honda crv--headlight low-beams repeatedly going out. Have replaced them twice. Cleaned connector in steering column last time, and low-beams came back on (obvious corrosion/signs of over-heating noted). This time I have re-cleaned connector, but low-beams still out. Will try replacing both bulbs. I have read on internet that this is a somewhat common problem with this vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10417000, filed 2011-08, 198,000 miles“While driving down the road at 6:30am this morning my low beams headlights went out. Not able to see I pulled over and put my crv in part. I noticed that my light switch was still on but I did not have any lights. I pushed the light control forwards and noticed I did have use of my high beams. Luckily I was driving to work and only had about 5 more mile to go being saturday on coming traffic was minimal. While at work I had time to research what the problem may possibly be that's when I stumbled upon a few recalls. …”
NHTSA complaint #11032200, filed 2017-10, 295,139 miles“My Honda crv ex 2003 brakes lights fail. The only light for braking is the third light. This has occurred 3 or 4 times in the past 4 years and happened again this week. I am afraid I will be in an accident because someone will not notice the third light when I brake. The dealer has replaced the bulbs but the issue continues. This last time the bulbs did not last 5,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10205123, filed 2007-10, 40,000 miles“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 milesRelated recalls
- 12V136000Mar 30, 2012Honda 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…Covers: Honda CR-V 2002–2004, Pilot 2003–2005, Civic 2002–2003
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 1% |
| 2025 | 3 | 1% |
| 2024 | 9 | 2% |
| 2023 | 5 | 1% |
| 2021 | 4 | 1% |
| 2020 | 7 | 2% |
| 2019 | 9 | 1% |
| 2018 | 12 | 1% |
| 2017 | 22 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 6 | 1% |
| 2014 | 21 | 4% |
| 2013 | 32 | 8% |
| 2012 | 14 | 3% |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 6 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 1% |
| 2008 | 4 | 0% |
| 2007 | 2 | 0% |
| 2006 | 118 | 30% |
| 2005 | 122 | 25% |
| 2004 | 39 | 8% |
| 2003 | 39 | 8% |
| 2002 | 60 | 12% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 3 | 2% |
| 1998 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2003 Honda CR-V
125 complaintsEngine cooling
86 complaintsElectrical system
62 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 complaintsBody and structure
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 31, 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