Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
Lowbeams went out when I got off work but highneams were working. I bought new bulbs the next day and the problem unchanged. So I checked all fuses and relays those were all fine. I proceeded to remove the steering column cover and disconnected the connectors and the gray one had what looks like Rust and or melted. This is very alarming because until I can replace the connector I have to drive home at nights with high beams. This may cause an accident and or me getting pulled over for having highbeams on. I do have a picture of said connector I took today 8/16/21.
SRS LIGHT CAME ON 2 MONTHS AGO. FEAR FOR MY SAFETY. RECALL PLEASE. ELECTRICAL. BACK RT WINDOW AND RT FRONT DOOR LOCK CANNOT BE OPERATED FROM FRONT DRIVER DOOR. LIGHTING. BACK INTERIOR LIGHT DOES NOT TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY. Paint is peeling from all over the car, especially on the front of it. Looks ghastly.
While driving down the road at 6:30 am this morning my low beams headlights went out. Not able to see I pulled over and put my crv in part. I noticed that my light switch was still on but I did not have any lights. I pushed the light control forwards and noticed I did have use of my high beams. Luckily I was driving to work and only had about 5 more mile to go being Saturday on coming traffic was minimal. While at work I had time to research what the problem May possibly be that's when I stumbled upon a few recalls. Need my heads lights I went to autozone and bought a replacement switch but while plugging in the new switch I noticed that one of the connections was burnt. I.e. The recall in ?. I'm concerned that this is going to happen again so I would like to know the steps I need to take so that I can get this properly taken care of. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda crv. The contact was driving approximately 50 MPH with the headlights activated when the headlights failed. The vehicle was driven to the side of the road where the contact inspected under the hood and noticed both headlight connectors were melted. The high beam headlights were engaged and the contact was able to resume driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated both headlight connectors would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Honda CR-v. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlights low beam went out without warning. The contact stated that the high beams had to be used to continue the trip. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V136000 (exterior lighting). The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. Updated 03/30/15 updated 9/25/2017
Low beams went out, then the battery burned up. Replaced bulbs and battery both worked fine for a week then headlights went out both low beams and high. Marker lights are flashing like strobe lights. The brakes are grabbing when you apply them. One side of the rear brakes wear out faster than the other side. The ABS and brake light come on until you turn on the fan or lights then they flash on and off.
Both low beam headlights not working, both high beams still work. Replaced headlight lamps, low beams still not working. Found defect report online for same system failure. (NHTSA action number: ea11012 NHTSA recall campaign number: 12V136000) talked to Honda corporate and told that this vehicle was not covered by recall, even though it is the same issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda CR-v. While reversing out of the driveway and depressing the driver side window switch, it failed to operate. In addition, the interior dome light failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 215,213.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda CR-v. While driving at various speeds, the low beam headlights failed. The failure recurred continuously. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.
Low beam headlights went in unison while driving at night on a major highway. Exact similar problem was the reason for a recall on the 2002 Honda civic. See below for 2002 recall. 002 Honda civic recall id from NHTSA: 04V086000 auto recall date: 02/24/2004 vehicle component: exterior lighting:headlights estimated vehicles affected: 440000 2002 Honda civic defect summary: on certain passenger vehicles, the low-beam terminal on the head light wire harness can overheat and could cause the low beams to fail without warning. Defect consequence: an unexpected loss of low beams could result in a crash. Remedy: dealers will inspect the head light switch and coupler for signs of heat damage. If heat damage is present, the dealer will replace the switch and coupler. If no heat damage is present, the dealer will replace the head light switch and one mating pin in the coupler. …
Related recalls
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.
Remedy: 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.
Headlight complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2003 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the lights of the 2003 Honda CR-V, 9% of the model year's 468 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Honda CR-V headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-136 (switch, Mar 30, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Honda CR-V headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 121,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to lights 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.