Every recall campaign and owner complaint the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration holds for the 2003 Honda CR-V. Nothing on this page is written from memory — it is all imported from NHTSA's public database.
13 recall campaigns filed by Honda for the 2003 CR-V, newest first.
| Campaign | Component | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|
| 19V182000 2019-03-06 |
Air Bags Frontal Driver Side › Inflator Module |
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…
Risk: 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. Fix: 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… |
| 20V768000 2020-12-10 |
Visibility Power Window Devices And Controls |
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.
Risk: If the switch fails, it could overheat and smoke, increasing the risk of a fire. Fix: 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… |
| 19V501000 2019-06-27 |
Air Bags Frontal Passenger Side › Inflator Module |
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…
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Fix: 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. |
| 19V499000 2019-06-27 |
Air Bags Frontal Driver Side › Inflator Module |
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…
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Fix: 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. |
| 18V268000 2018-04-26 |
Air Bags Frontal Passenger Side › Inflator Module |
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.
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Fix: 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. |
| 15V320000 2015-05-28 |
Air Bags Frontal Driver Side › Inflator Module |
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…
Risk: 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. Fix: 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… |
| 14V700000 2014-11-04 |
Air Bags | 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…
Risk: 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. Fix: 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. |
| 15V370000 2015-06-15 |
Air Bags Frontal Passenger Side › Inflator Module |
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…
Risk: 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. Fix: 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… |
| 14V353000 2014-06-20 |
Air Bags | 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…
Risk: 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. Fix: 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. |
| 12V486000 2012-10-05 |
Electrical System | 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.
Risk: 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. Fix: 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. |
| 12V136000 2012-03-30 |
Exterior Lighting Headlights Switch |
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…
Risk: 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. Fix: 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… |
| 03V274000 2003-07-29 |
Power Train Automatic Transmission |
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.
Risk: 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. Fix: 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. |
| 04V255000 2004-06-07 |
Air Bags Frontal |
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS OF THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG WAS INCORRECTLY WIRED.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG INFLATION RATE WOULD BE INCORRECT, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER. Fix: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE WIRING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009. |
Summaries are quoted verbatim from NHTSA's official campaign records. A single campaign often covers dozens of model years and several nameplates, so a summary may name vehicles other than the 2003 CR-V — that is normal. Every record listed here carries this vehicle's own make, model and model year in NHTSA's database. Whether a recall is still open on a particular car can only be determined by VIN.
494 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2003 CR-V, grouped by the component owners reported. Counts reflect how many owners complained, not how often the fault actually occurs.
| Reported component | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags 28 crash, 2 fire, 32 injured |
116 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling 10 fire |
74 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control 5 crash, 1 injured |
24 | |
| Equipment | 24 | |
| Electrical System 2 crash, 5 fire, 2 injured |
23 | |
| Exterior Lighting 1 fire, 1 injured |
22 | |
| Power Train 1 crash, 1 injured |
20 | |
| Unknown Or Other 1 crash, 3 fire |
14 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic 1 fire |
14 | |
| Electrical System,Exterior Lighting | 12 | |
| Visibility | 12 | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 11 |
A complaint is an unverified owner report. It is a signal about where to look, not proof of a defect.
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaint filings on this model year. These are the owners' own words, not our diagnosis, and each one is a single unverified report.
I got over to the edge of the road to avoid hitting a animal, and hit a small rock (with front passenger tire) and then subsequently had a spontaneous deployment and rupture of my passenger airbag, then my driver airbag deployed. A fire then came from the passenger airbag, with lots of dust in the air. I could not understand why a very small bump triggered the airbags and was shocked by the first, I was able to put out the fire but experienced minor burns on my middle finger and thumb on my right hand, I could hear out of left ear and had ringing the right and the next day the hearing is bette Fire reported
filed 08/24/2026 · ODI 11758984
June 17, 2022 my daughter was hit on the driver side rear corner panel by a vehicle that ran a red light. The impact had enough force to spin her 2003 Honda CRV 180 degrees yet none of the airbags deployed. The rear driver side wheel was bent inward and had to be towed. Crash reported
filed 11/12/2022 · ODI 11493268
The contact owns a 2003 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the engine fan was inoperable causing the engine to overheat. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who replaced the thermostat, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.
filed 08/29/2024 · ODI 11611543
ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON AUGUST 28TH, MY 2003 HONDA CRV HAD AN ENGINE FIRE. THE ONLY WARNING, WAS A RUBBING SOUND WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED BUT NO DASH LAMPS PRIOR TO SEEING THE SMOKE AND SUBSEQUENT FIRE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET MY FAMILY OUT OF THE CRV AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. UPON REPAIRING THE CAR AT THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER, THEY IDENTIFIED THE AC COMPRESSOR AS THE LIKELY ROOT CAUSE OF THE FIRE BASED ON MELTED CLUTCH DRIVE WIRES WHICH APPEAR TO BE THE IGNITION SOURCE FOR THE OVERHEATED DRIVE BELT. SINCE THE 2 YR OLD AC COMPRESSOR WAS A FOUR SEASONS - EVERCO 58881 REPLACEMENT A/C COMPR Fire reported
filed 09/07/2011 · ODI 10424179
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 85 MPH AND WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 45 MPH AND WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED A SECOND TIME TWO YEARS LATER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE EMERGENC
filed 11/21/2018 · ODI 11153102
2003 HONDA CRV UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING STALL ON 8/2/17 AT 6:45AM. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP FULL THROTTLE AND THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES BUT COULD FEEL THE CAR SURGING FORWARD FOR A SPLIT SECOND. MY CAR HIT THE UNOCCUPIED CAR PARKED IN THE STALL IN FRONT OF ME. WILL TAKE CAR TO DEALERSHIP TODAY TO DETERMINE AND FIX CAUSE. FILED AN INSURANCE CLAIM WITH TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY. Crash reported
filed 08/02/2017 · ODI 11012347
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR HAD LOCKED UP AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000. UPDATED 2/24/15*CN
filed 01/13/2015 · ODI 10672225
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CR-V. WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL HISSING COMING FROM THE A/C VENTS FOLLOWED BY THE A/C BECOMING INOPERABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENTIRE A/C SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
filed 08/02/2010 · ODI 10346790
A recall only matters if it is open on your car. The lists above are for the model year as a whole; the free official lookup below tells you what applies to your specific 17-character VIN.
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Yes. NHTSA records 13 recall campaigns filed by Honda for the 2003 CR-V. The most recent is campaign 19V182000, filed 2019-03-06, covering Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module.
Yes. 9 of the 13 campaigns on record for this model year involve the airbag system. The fix is a free inflator replacement at an authorised dealer.
The most-reported component is Air Bags with 116 of the 494 owner complaints on file, including 28 reports involving a crash. Complaint counts show where owners report trouble; they are not proof of a defect.
494 complaints with NHTSA for the 2003 CR-V, spread across 68 reported component groups.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's free recall lookup. Recalls are applied per vehicle, so the model-year lists above cannot tell you whether your particular car is covered.