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Used 2003 Honda CR-V Consumer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
487 reviews

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2 out of 5 stars

Totally Disappointed in Honda Quality

Martha , 08/14/2009
2003 Honda CR-V EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful

Like other 2003 CRV owners, I bought with expectations of "Honda quality." My air conditioner went out at 56K miles, and to their credit, Honda paid for parts; I paid for labor. At 118K it went out again. I was told it was "too far out of warranty" for them to replace the AC again. I assume keeping a Honda for 200+K means replacing the AC every 55K miles??? The oxygen sensor is also out, so I am a soon-to-be EX-Honda owner. Had planned to buy a Civic next, but not now. Detroit should be a lesson on squandering a good reputation and letting quality slip. I don't know what it costs for Honda to get a new customer, but it cost them an AC replacement to lose a "Honda for life" customer.

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2.38 out of 5 stars

CRV is a DISASTER!

Honda NO more!, 01/22/2010
2003 Honda CR-V LX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
11 of 16 people found this review helpful

I am so frustrated right now, it seems our mechanic sees the car more! We have had front strut issues, tire issues, brakes going to early, AC issues, and when I am driving it sometimes feels like I have a manual trans and have the gear too high, I am afraid what that means. Now the emissions warning is on, back door latch is getting lax. I want to get rid of this terrible terrible car soon! I like the looks hate the car. We don't have alot money to constantly be fixing this!!

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1 out of 5 stars

Bell of the repair shop.

n collins, 10/04/2017
2003 Honda CR-V EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
7 of 10 people found this review helpful

I bought a new 2003 Honda CRV AWD. It has been in the shop more than on the road. I have spent more in repairs than I almost paid for the car. It has still not reached 100k miles yet and now needs a rebuilt engine. The first time the engine locked up at 86k miles. It cost me 1700 dollars to replace the engine head gasket. Less than 10k miles later it needs a nother head gasket. Since it was in years past the warrenty for the drivetrain warranty. It has has 2 radiators. It has had a new alternator. It has had all 4 coils replaced 2 times. The sparkplugs need changed as often as it needs gas. It is a money pit. It has has 2-6 disc cd changers. Ac system went at 36,400 miles so Honda had no choice but pay the $3,000 for that little repair. Sometimes it would just shut down and later just crank and run like nothing ever happened. It still only has 93,400 miles and the engine has overheated again and has a blown headgasket. So here is another $1500 to $2000 if the engine is not cracked from the overheating. Again all my problems not Honda.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Ridiculousness

Alex, 08/15/2021
2003 Honda CR-V EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful

2003 CRV AWD. Bought it with 150k miles on it, brought it to 220k before an Elk totaled it. Broke my heart because it seemed like it was barely even close to it’s half-life. I drove it all across the west, never got stranded. The few times I needed repairs, it was so easy to fix that I just did them myself. One time the camshaft sensor went out, and it felt like it was on its last legs trying to get me to the nearest town. I was worried. So I took it slow. Got the sensor for $50, replaced it in 15 minutes, and drove it another 400 miles that same day. that’s what I call reliability, not waiting 3 days for a shop and paying $600 for parts and labor. I never dealt with this AC issue, but I have researched it and it seems to me like people aren’t understanding a crucial part: you must replace the entire system ($300 in parts), and flush/evacuate the hoses. If you just replace the compressor, you don’t get rid of the real culprit, which is debris in the hoses and drier. that’s what kills your new compressor in a year After replacement. Replace the entire thing and it will probably last you another 100k. Which sucks You have to worry about that, but it’s not the worst thing. Also, For the record this car has THE BEST AC. it’s incredible for how old they are. it feels the same way a very cold water fountain tastes. The speakers are booming for stock. The cup holders are very well placed. I lived in it for 6 months while traveling, took out the back seats and laid a cot in the back. Never got stuck in mud, never lost traction in snow. it’s an excellent blend between practical city driving and off road. Not the best at either, but above average at both. Usually got 27-30 mpg Highway, 65 mph is the sweet spot. Took that thing into some questionable off road spots that I would never go back to.... but it got me in n out. It’s a fun car The only thing I don’t like is that they don’t make them anymore. I want to buy a brand new 2003 model! I am literally buying the same exact car with my insurance money. I don’t see any other way. If you like to do some easy off road stuff and like camping in cars, and live somewhere with lots of snow, you would probably love this thing.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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3.25 out of 5 stars

This LEMON should be selling lemonade!

mbpace, 09/23/2009
2003 Honda CR-V LX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful

We bought this car new in May 2003. 2 weeks later the radio stops working. It's "fixed" and then stops working 2 months later. This time the radio is replaced. About 15 months later radio goes out again. After "fixing" twice, radio is replaced AGAIN! Dec 2003 drivers seat won't lock in place fixed 2 times and then new seat put in. Feb 2005 locks don't work and fixed Apr 2006 CD player stops working "fixed" Sept 2007 A/C compressor- pin shears off and sends metal fragments through A/C, entire system replaced Jan 2009. CD player won't release CD's Sept 2009 A/C broken AGAIN, bucking like a horse when idle $1500 to fix what they "think" is wrong since car drove ok for them except for A/C!

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