2003 Honda Cr-V: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 580 complaints
580
Total Complaints
74,231mi
Median Mileage
Air Bags
Top Issue
56
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
34,800
25th Percentile
74,231
Median Mileage
119,746
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Air Bags
102
Electrical System
54
Cooling System
32
Exterior Lighting
31
Engine And Engine Cooling
30
Vehicle Speed Control
28
Air Conditioner
26
Unknown Or Other
24
Frontal
19
Engine
14
Severity Assessment
56
Crashes
28
Fires
43
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"CONSUMER STATES ENGINE STALLED ON THREE OCCASSIONS. THE LAST TIME HE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTIONS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. PH"
"CONSUMER FOUND ERRORS IN THE OWNERS MANUAL REGARDING THE OIL CHANGE. ITS STATED THAT THE OIL SHOULD BE CHANGED EVERY 10,000 MILES. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO STATED IT SHOULD BE CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES. THE DEALER THEN CALLED THE HONDA 800 NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE OIL SHOULD BE CH..."
"STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON 2003 HONDA CRV AND DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING A CRASH INTO BRICK WALL."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Air Bags
102 complaints
25th: 59,000 mi
Median: 113,000 mi
75th: 156,000 mi
Electrical System
54 complaints
25th: 69,360 mi
Median: 102,862 mi
75th: 135,762 mi
Cooling System
32 complaints
25th: 57,612 mi
Median: 71,981 mi
75th: 80,000 mi
Exterior Lighting
31 complaints
25th: 97,000 mi
Median: 126,500 mi
75th: 164,250 mi
Engine And Engine Cooling
30 complaints
25th: 14,420 mi
Median: 65,500 mi
75th: 81,400 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 75
NY: 43
FL: 41
TX: 28
GA: 26
PA: 26
VA: 25
OH: 24
NJ: 23
NC: 21
Who Files Complaints?
24.8%
Original Owners
75.2%
Second+ Owners
Honda Cr-V — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (14)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Inflator Module
Campaign 19V182000 | 06/03/2019
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 serv
Power Window Devices And Controls
Campaign 20V768000 | 10/12/2020
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
Inflator Module
Campaign 19V501000 | 27/06/2019
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.
Inflator Module
Campaign 19V499000 | 27/06/2019
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.
Inflator Module
Campaign 18V268000 | 26/04/2018
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.
Inflator Module
Campaign 15V320000 | 28/05/2015
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
Air Bags
Campaign 14V700000 | 04/11/2014
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.
Inflator Module
Campaign 15V370000 | 15/06/2015
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
Air Bags
Campaign 14V353000 | 20/06/2014
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.
Electrical System
Campaign 12V486000 | 05/10/2012
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.
Switch
Campaign 12V136000 | 30/03/2012
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
Glass, Side/Rear
Campaign 07E104000 | 11/12/2007
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
Automatic Transmission
Campaign 03V274000 | 29/07/2003
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.
Frontal
Campaign 04V255000 | 07/06/2004
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.
Airbag Safety
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Check for open airbag recalls at NHTSA.gov using your VIN
- Never ignore the airbag warning light — get it diagnosed immediately
- Don't install aftermarket steering wheel covers that block the airbag
- Keep the area around airbag deployment zones clear of accessories
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28