2003 Honda CR-V Consumer Reviews

Very Reliable Car

Written by: GeoMan on 01/09/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

I now have over 70,000 on this car that I bought new in May, 2003. I have had it in the dealership for just one minor issue. One of the front struts was not torqued down to specs and began rattling. The dealer fixed promptly and aside from oil changes, it's run perfectly ever since. The gas mileage could be a little better. I can consistently get 25 with highway driving and about 23 with city and highway. The car is very easy to drive. It is easy to park and easy to manuever. I'm 6'2" tall, so it could have a little more leg room. Especially since I rarely have anyone in the back seat.

Favorite Features

Great A/C, fun to drive, good CD changer, very nice moon roof. I love the swing-out back door. Mine is a dark red -- so I love the color. Great cup holders. Very easy on tire wear. My original set lasted for more than 50,000 miles. I hated taking them off because they still had some tread.

Suggested Improvements

Front windows need more tint. Passenger complain it's too bright. Sometimes I still mistake the shifter for the windshield wipers.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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I love my red Honda CRV

Written by: Katarina68 on 01/08/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

I am a mom with 2 kids and I love this car. I have had it for more than 3 years and it never required any attention other than the oil change. It's spacious, yet I can reach to my kids in the back while driving. It feels reliable and safe.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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There's nothing negative to say

Written by: Emily on 09/25/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

I love this car. That's all I have to say. It runs like a champ. It's quiet, comfortable. Has great visibility and roominess inside. You won't feel claustrophobic in this car. Has plenty of room for backseat riders as well. I've only owned mine for 16 mo. but I love it and I don't think I would ever own another vehicle. The cargo area is nice and roomy and yet the crv manages to be a small suv with great manueverability. I just love this car. The cup holder in front of the control dials can be annoying if you have a really large cup, but if that's the biggest complaint, that's more than you can say about most! :) BUY ONE! You'll love it!

Favorite Features

I love the compactness, but yet it's roomy everywhere inside. The gas mileage is definitely good compared to most any other suv. The stereo system is really decent.

Suggested Improvements

Umm.....

7 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Gits 'R Done

Written by: Jenflex on 09/08/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

What I've enjoyed most has been this vehicle's "gameness." Last winter we had 3 separate storms of over 1' of snow apiece. Husband's pickup got stuck, but my CR-V just chugged on through. Short wheelbase means it will turn on a dime. Not sure about the rear differential. I'm starting to hear weird noises at 66K miles. Still, I'd buy it again, although I think I'd go with a RAV-4 now rather than the redesigned CR-V. The new Honda is smaller, and doesn't have the table.

Favorite Features

Table. Full fold-down front seats. AWD. Fold-down table between front seats for easy access to rear. Loads of storage.

Suggested Improvements

Honda can do better than the lousy Dueler tires that came standard. I got only 22K miles. Goodyear replacements much better. Road noise is my biggest issue.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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No more Honda's

Written by: Hondanomore on 09/05/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

I have owned Honda's for over 20 years, but the CRV makes me think I will never own another. 4 years and 66,000 miles the air compressor blow's apart. dealership wants $1,500 to replace it. Too much money for too little of a car. I just got a new Honda eliment, if this happen sooner I would never have gotten another Honda. I will be trading this in on a Saturn Vue.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Install quality compressors. AC units are not ware and tare parts

2 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Good Car But Beware of Air Cond Problems

Written by: L. Adkins on 07/25/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

For the most part I have enjoyed my CR-V. It is great for road trips and hauling a lot of stuff. It's very comfortable to drive and I love sitting up higher than a car. My main minor complaint is noise in the cabin, especially on the highway, but I knew this was an issue before I bought it. Also, the 4 cyl engine seems to struggle at times, especially when accelerating. My major complaint - at 55k, the air compressor just blew and the entire system has to be replaced. Estimate is $3,000.

Favorite Features

Fold down seats. Good safety ratings.

Suggested Improvements

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Honda not living up to reputation

Written by: quietrider on 06/09/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

After my disaster with my first car, a 94’ Ford Thunderbird, I decided to listen to my friends who told me of Honda’s legendary build quality. What I found with this CR-V was that it drove well and has a nice design; however, they did a lousy job with the air conditioner unit. It went out first in ’04 after only 31,000 miles on it. Then it went out again in ’06 when I had over 90,000 miles on it. Today 6/9/2007 it has gone out again. Other then this problem it has been a great vehicle.

Favorite Features

Nice drive and the interior design. The engine works well with the transmission.

Suggested Improvements

Redesign the A/C to work correctly.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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2003 Honda CR-V

Written by: JD NJ on 06/05/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

The CRV has been a good car until recently. I agree with the other reviews which say that the car is fun to drive, decent gas mileage, power, etc. Minor problem began when it was two years old. It developed a rattle on the front right side and odd tire wear. Dealer still claims that they can not find a problem. Interior parts started to break through normal use and rubber matting on dash started to peel up. Now I am dealing with the A/C compressor failure which Honda denies is common in the 2002-2005 CRV. I hope that Honda will pay for A/C repairs 100% to help restore my confidence in them.

Favorite Features

Lots of compartments in the dash, moon roof, stereo with 6 CD changer built in. Great gas mileage for an SUV.

Suggested Improvements

Honda should fix the faulty A/C systems for free every time without making their loyal customers "beg". If Honda is still capable of producing a quality product then they should give a 10 year / 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty like many other car companies do.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great, solid car

Written by: Laura on 04/03/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

We really enjoyed our CR-V. At the time we bought it had the most rear leg and cargo room of other compact SUVs. The resale value, reliability and gas mileage sold us on the vehicle. Even after 4 years I still got 28 mpg highway. I loved it in the snow and never had any problems. The only draw back was comfort on long trips for my husband (steering wheel not telescopic and too far away vs needed leg room) and some blind spots typical of SUVs. I liked the hidden storage but see they changed it with the 07 model. It has been extremely reliable and was only in the shop once for A/C repair which was covered under warranty. I will miss my CR-V but decided to go with the larger Pilot.

Favorite Features

Fun to drive. Hidden storage in cargo area. Adjustable beverage holder and tons of hidden storage compartments. Interior quality/durability. Interior cargo area.

Suggested Improvements

Wish they provided a V6/3rd row option with 07 model. More front leg room and telescopic steering wheel. Flat folding rear seat for cargo area.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Versatile, reliable car

Written by: AM on 01/06/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

I've had this car for almost four years now and after 40,000 miles have had no major issues or problems with it. It's very reliable, fun to drive, handles nicely (has an incredible turning radius!). Peppy enough, although nothing special. Has been a good car for highway driving back and forth between school and also a safe car to take up skiing with plenty of room for a few people and their gear. I have been a little disappointed with the mileage though; only getting 20-21 in town and at best 26 on the highway.

Favorite Features

I like that the cab feels roomy and airy, with good leg room. The moonroof is a plus, came standard with my edition. Also like the large cargo space, which has plenty of room for my two medium-sized dogs, and I like that the rear window opens (not the case with the newest CR-V).

Suggested Improvements

I dislike the side-opening rear hatch, which makes it difficult to get into your trunk if you're parallel parked in a tight space. I also wish there was at least one bigger cupholder that would fit larger drinks, like Nalgene bottles or some coffee mugs. Needs better insulation against road noise.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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