2003 Honda CR-V Consumer Reviews

Shake, Rattle and Roll

Written by: LGBoston on 08/06/2009

Vehicle

2003 Honda CR-V EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This is my very first new car. The first two years were bliss because I overlooked little things that are now driving me crazy. And each month a new noise appears. The linkage is awful but my mechanic tightens it up regularly. Brakes failed me on a bridge in Virginia last August. Horrifying but let me tell you how grateful I am to have a standard transmission. All tires have been replaced. Monday the new starter goes in. The road noise which I cheerfully ignored because I was driving a HONDA is now torture. The original battery lasted 3 months. The passenger side door lock does not open automatically any more. Fuses have been replaced. Never again.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Good craftsmanship all around.

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No So Good Honda

Written by: Gail on 07/10/2009

Vehicle

2003 Honda CR-V EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I am very disappointed and surprised at the unreliability of the 2003 CRV. I thought Honda's lasted a long time with standard maintenance. I had to replace the tires not long after I got the car. The ones that come with the car are poor and unstable. My seatbealts are difficult to use and don't slide back and forth as they should. The security light stayed on because one of the seatbeats was not working at all. A part had to be ordered. Another one is a nightmare to use. I have had to replace one of the oxygen sensors for $550.00. Now my clutch and air conditioner are going out. That's another $2000 plus. Because of this, I will not purchase another Honda and will now trade this one in.

Favorite Features

The seats folding down and the cargo space.

Suggested Improvements

Re-engineer the whole car for better reliability. It doesn't live up to Honda standards.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Very disappointed

Written by: Monie on 07/04/2009

Vehicle

2003 Honda CR-V LX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought a Honda thinking I wouldn't have any issues. I bought it used but certified. I got the carfax had one owner. I have had the air conditioner blow up twice. I also have had several other issues. Thank god I got the extended warranty that covered most of the problems. I do mean most. They always seem to come up with things it didn't cover. I am about to hit 100k miles and really thinking about trading it in because I can't cover any more problems.

Favorite Features

For a small SUV all the room is nice.

Suggested Improvements

No suggestion, I think I got a lemon.

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Disappointed in Honda

Written by: Peter on 07/01/2009

Vehicle

2003 Honda CR-V EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Between my wife and I we have owned four Hondas, 3 Accords and now 1 2003 CRV EX. We purchased each Honda new and all three Accords were fantastic reliable vehicles. I thought that I was a Honda customer for life. Then we bought a new 2003 CRV. It's now 6 years old with only 49K miles on it. We've replaced 2 sensors ($450), all four brake pads and rotors ($500) and now both front struts + a front end alignment ($600). I can understand all of these wear items around the 100K area, but not at 49K miles. In reading through other reviews, looks like I can expect the AC to go soon too. We'll try Toyota soon. Honda, learn from the quality errors of the big three, or you may be sorry.

Favorite Features

Roomy, table, comfortable ride and control and access.

Suggested Improvements

More power - 6 cyl. and improved reliability as addressed by all of the problems we're having on a vehicle that sees very mild use.

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A Thankful Purchase

Written by: lonefish on 04/21/2009

Vehicle

2003 Honda CR-V LX Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I really have no complaints about this vehicle, and can come up with none. I did not purchase it for off road use, but being a handicapped/disabled male, 57 years of age, it sure fit the bill!

Favorite Features

Driver seat comfort & fit, telescope & tilt steering wheel, EXTREMELY FAST warm up/heat in cold weather, fuel economy for a vehicle this size/shape, storage capacity, available space for grocery shopping ... YOU CAN'T BEAT IT !

Suggested Improvements

Being handicapped, I have a wheelchair carrier mounted to a "class 3" trailer hitch, which Honda does not supply/offer. Given that, even though I had to seek an "outside provider", the rearward weight & balance has NEVER been a problem, on city streets, or on Interstates, at highway speeds.

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Good reliable transportation

Written by: Johncon on 03/24/2009

Vehicle

2003 Honda CR-V EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Bought this new in 2003 and have had few problems with it. The OEM tires are poor and had to be replaced at 24000 miles, but other than that, the car has been very reliable. Great in the snow and comfortable. Replaced the following: Back up light switch 50000 miles Resistor in blower motor 60,000 miles Brakes replaced at 100000 (pads) Battery 110000 miles Serpentine belt at 60000 and 120000 I have been advised to replace front struts due to leakage but as they still work fine I have ignored this. The rest has been normal scheduled maintenance.

Favorite Features

Driving position, moon roof, storage space

Suggested Improvements

Fuel economy isn't great, 24-26 mpg. This would be a good car for Honda's diesel engine. The Bridgestone tires this car came with performed poorly in the snow and wore out quickly (thankfully).

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Legitimate complaints

Written by: dewey24022008 on 02/14/2009

Vehicle

2003 Honda CR-V EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

My wife and I enjoy the driveability, seating, storage and gas mileage. It now has 80,000km which is 50,000miles. We find the plastic used on interior marks easily. The plastic that surrounds the clothe upholstery is cracking.The seat belts do not retract without help. The Bridgestone tires had to be replaced at 66,000 or 41,000 miles. The brakes had to be replaced at same time but some of problem could have been a lot of downhill braking. When making sharp turns to park or move in slow driving there is an obvious rumble from the rear wheels more obvious on sharp right movements. My mechanic is not familiar with the Honda 4 wheel drive system. It will have to go to Honda for evaluation.

Favorite Features

Visibility. Seating height. Foldaway ability of seating. Fantastic in snow. Easy to park due to size. Lots of power-no need for 6cyl.

Suggested Improvements

Glad to see rear gate now lifts rather than swings. Need for better interior plastic parts. Better seat belt retractors. Paint that chips less easily. Better tires from factory.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Bad Apple from the Honda Tree

Written by: Dante on 02/06/2009

Vehicle

2003 Honda CR-V EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The day we drove off the lot and started driving our shiny new EX on the highway I tested the cruise control. It wasn't working. Had to leave the car with the dealer for 2 days to fix. Then within 8 months had 3 recalls on this . At 18000 had to get new brakes and at 26000 new tires. At 78,000 2 of my engine mounts broke which affected the axles. So for $750 got that fixed (by my mechanic), the dealer told me that it will cost me $1,600. Now I have to replace the bushings. Its been not a good experience owning this vehicle. By the way most of the driving is highway and local. I wouldn't dream of taking this offroad. Never recommending a Honda product to my worst enemies (or friends).

Favorite Features

The roominess when all the rear seats fold up

Suggested Improvements

Don't build an SUV or comfortable recreational vehicle (CRV) on a car platform.

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Beware of A/C Compressor Issues

Written by: Tim on 01/26/2009

Vehicle

2003 Honda CR-V EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

We owned this car for a little over 2 years and it was definitely a great car overall EXCEPT for the A/C compressor issues. The compressor blew not once, BUT TWICE on us within a 6-month period and the car only has 62,000 miles on it! Honda would NOT help us out with goodwill assistance and insisted it's not a known issue (do an internet search and you'll find that's NOT true). If you get one without A/C issues then it would probably still be a great car to own - very practical.

Favorite Features

Fold down console, drawer under chair, space

Suggested Improvements

Offer a recall on the KNOWN A/C compressor issue where it actually BLOWS up!

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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A Satisfied Owner

Written by: MikeS on 12/28/2008

Vehicle

2003 Honda CR-V EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

In 5 years and 140k miles, I have had no mechanical problems with this car. In that sense, I'm very pleased with it's reliability. The exterior design is nothing to go crazy over. I have the roof rack which is not very useful when you need to tie something down to it, but was necessary for installing a roof carrier when camping. As for the interior, I do like the fact that the moonroof does not eat up a bunch of headroom, and the split rear seats allow for a lot of storage in the back. I also like the foldup table. I don't understand how people can get 25 - 27 mpg in their CR-V. I have yet to get over 22, which is my biggest complaint along with the lack of power of the engine.

Favorite Features

With a tall torso, moonroofs have not worked well for me. They take up too much headroom in the vehicle. The CR- V does not have that problem. I do love the fact that it has a full-size spare and not the compact spare. I like how the front center console folds down easily to get out of the way.

Suggested Improvements

More power!! Our Camry's 4cyl is much more lively and we get 28-30 mpg. My dad had an 00 Chevy Impala with a 6cyl that got 28 mpg. A bigger engine might also improve the 1500 lbs of towing capacity too. This is not a rugged SUV, but being able to tow a tent trailer would be nice.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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