Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Honda CR-V owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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 compressor from auto zone, Honda was not interested in any further investigation but they did allow me to keep the damaged ac compressor and drive belt. …
Vehicle fire regarding 2003 Honda crv. There was overheating of the electrical components that caused the fire. The consumers wife was locked in the burning vehicle. The locks remained activated and would not open from the inside or the outside, even though the ignition was off. The entire vehicle had become filled with heavy black smoke along with the instrument panel warning lights flashing. The consumer was informed that the damage found was consistent with a high resistance condition occurring in the crankshaft sensor oil control solenoid circuit wiring resulting in electrical overheating, resulting in a fire. Minor heat and fire damage was sustained to the right front area of the engine starting near the crankshaft pulley extending upwards towards the valve cover area. …
I brought my 2003 Honda CR-v ex model in to maine mall Honda in south portland, maine for routine 10,000 mile scheduled maintenance, which includes changing the oil, rotating tires and inspecting fluid levels. Within 5 miles of leaving the dealers location, the engine caught fire and the car was a total loss. I first noticed smole by looking in the rear view mirror approxiamtely 2 miles after leaving the dealers location. Thinking it was just some spilled oil, I kept on driving until I noticed the low oil light come on the dashboard. I pulled the car over and smelled oil. At that point I opened the hood of the car and saw flames in the engine. The maine state police arrived within 5 minutes and determined that the fire was too far progreesed to save the car. The south portland and scarborough maine fire departments arrived within 10 minutes to put out the fire.
My 2003 Honda CR-v ex 4wd had an engine fire one morning after I started the car 10 minutes later. The weather temperature was in the teens that morning. It was a total loss, it burned completely. The only recent work done to the car was its first 3000 mi oil change. I purchased this car in September 2003, and this engine fire happened on January 07, 2004. The car had 3300 miles on the odometer. I've searched NHTSA.gov web site's database, and found that there was another incident that is very similar to my situation. I've also found messages posted to newsgroups on edmunds.com that other people had the same engine fire after oil change. I am very concerned about the safety of this vehicle, and would like the government to launch an investigation against the 2003 Honda crv's
On December 18 my youngest daughter was returning from a babbysitting job..her 2003 crv accelerator stuck open ..for 5 to 7 miles she pressed on brakes as car was accelerating over 100 MPH..she managed to slow to 60 and engage neutral while car still revving..and shut off vehicle..no dash or warning lights..the car is now at a Honda dealership in chattanooga..the dealer has pics of what happened and brakes were fried as they were new..im 2 1/2 weekks waiting on a reply or investigation from Honda ..im out a car and my daughter needs to get to college..she was on a long stretch of highway at incident.which is what likely saved her by the grace of god..or could have been serious injury or death.
Takata recall : when I start the car and keep ac on, rattling sound comes and ac stops working. I can see there is one recall for 2002- 2008 Honda crv for clutch and ac compressor recall. Published on jun 6, 2014 if you own a Honda CR-v between 2002 - 2008 then you will encounter a common problem with the ac compressor clutch not engaging properly due to the location and overheating of this part. Need help. Thanks!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda CR-v. While in park, the vehicle failed to start. The contact independently replaced the battery twice; however, the failure recurred. The contact removed the remote starter per the dealer's instruction, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was unable to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000.
When in drive, at a light, with foot on the brake, the engine suddenly accelerates briefly, then returns to normal. This happened 3 or 4 times over the last year or 2. On 06/04/18, when in motion,in reverse, the engine suddenly accelerated. I dropped it into drive, it continued until I braked and jammed it into park, then the engine returned to idle.
6 days after having throttle cable recall and a/t shift cable recall and o/c, car burst into flames (totaled) while driving 20-25 MPH. Honda says not defect? Car had 8200 miles on odometer. No evidence that oil from o/c caused fire. Honda investigations has no answer. Fire started or was first evident in drivers wheel well area.
NHTSA investigations
Oil filter fires
This investigation identified 32 incidents of oil filter leakage in the subject vehicle population, with 22 resulting in vehicle fires.all of the incidents occurred following oil changes.Honda's investigation of 14 of the fire incidents determined that five oil filters had stacked seals (double-gasketing), and nine oil filters had distorted or pinched seals.according to Honda, both conditions result from failure to…
Underhood fires
In documents provided during ea04-027, Honda identified a mechanism which causes the rubber seal (gasket) of the original equipment (oe) oil filter to adhere to the engine block of the subject vehicles.if an adhered seal remains when the oe filter is removed and a new filter is installed, a double gasket condition results.a subsequent rupture of the extraneous seal can result in oil contacting nearby exhaust system…
Engine complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 92 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Honda CR-V, 20% of the model year's 468 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (32 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Honda CR-V engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2003 Honda CR-V, though it has 13 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Honda CR-V engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 12 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.