Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Vehicle: 2003 Honda crv with 5 speed manual transimission. On January 23, 2007 during normal driving the manual transmission on the vehicle failed. The symptom of the problem was that the vehicle popped out of the gear that it was engaged in without any warning . The car was brought to a complete stop, and the operator was able get the car into 2 gear only. The vehicle was towed to a Honda dealership where it remained for two months while the problem was diagnosed and repaired. The followingwas a list of parts that were replaced which did not resolve the problem: manual clutch, manual transmission, pressure plate and clutch cables. Th owner was informed that the problem had to do with the thrust bearings and thrust washers being worn and it would require the short block to be replaced. All work was completed at a Honda dealer. …
2003 Honda crv shift cable malfunctioned resulting in an accident.** answer required***. Less than 2 month after the consumer's vehicle was purchased it was involved in an accident. The vehicle was parked and the consumer was exiting the vehicle when it suddenly began to roll backwards down the driveway. The consumer became caught on the vehicle's door and was dragged down the driveway, across the street, across her neighbor's front yard until the vehicle finally stopped when it hit the neighbors porch steps. The consumer sustained a contusion to her left leg from her hip to her knee. A month after the accident the consumer received a recall notice for the a/t shift cable. The symptoms of the recall were exactly what the vehicle experienced. …
When I shift the gear in drive or reverse and then release the brake, there is a loud clicking noise that seems to be coming from the front of the car. The noise eventually goes away after the vehicle has been running for a few minutes. I've had this problem since I bought the car. I had a relative who owns the same car that I have and she was experiencing the same problem . She reported the problem to her dealership and the following items were replaced on her car: 1) throttle shift - recall 2) shift cable - recall I took my car to the dealership where I bought the car and I was told the following: 1) a recall has been issued for my car but I have to wait until Honda sends me a written notification before they can fix the problem 2) I insisted that I wanted the problem fixed now due to a defect that can endanger my family while driving this car. …
2003 Honda CR-v 44,200 miles: bad bearing or pump noise starting coming from engine compartment, stopped and checked (noise varied with engine speed). Narrowed noise to area around ac compressor/alternator/belt tensioner. Operated vehicle less than 30 minutes from first appearance of noise, then there was a thud,and a clunk looked out the passenger side rearview mirror and saw a something rolling down the street. Noise went away, and ac stopped cooling. Went back to see what had fallen off, and found part of the clutch assembly. No apparent damage, vehicle operates minus ac. Took vehicle to dealer, was told that he has seen this a four or five times recently, and that he would contact Honda, to see what can be done. Was later told that Honda would cover the repairs.
Honda CR-v 4wd, auto, 2003 with 25000 m. Incidents - as the automatic transmission down shifted from up gear to 1st, there was a "jerk" and I almost hit vehicle up front my during the wet weather condition. After that I made testing on parking lot, that I can reproduce this jerk , and it reproducible. I drive car slow on first gear and slowly push a brake, not any jerk. But when I let car to shift to up a second and third gear and than gently to push brake, before car completely stop I feeling a jerk, that very dangerously on wet surface. Also I found in several forums, that people got roll over and thinking that case of ABS or brake problem, but a same effect can be case when gears unexpectedly shifted down.
My mom's 2003 Honda CR-v ex AWD automatic transmission has this clicking sound whenever we drive it around. On occasion the clicking is loud, but it can get very annoying. The automatic, when starting and putting in reverse has a very un-Honda like noise with a jolt. When we took it for the NHTSA recall for the automatic transmission they did the service. After a couple of days the clicking went back. Took it back to the dealership and the Honda certified mechanic said that it is normal because the brakes are adjusting itself. I want to know do any other Honda owners of CR-v's built from 2002-2003 model years have this same noise problem?
2003 Honda crv ex - when reducing speed transmission fails to downshift and begins to make grinding noise. Once stopped grinding continues then gears re-engage and lunges SUV forward quickly. Luckily no one was in front of me at the lights!! To remedy - I had to restart the engine from park position. Problem repeated itself at the next intersection and engine light engaged - I took to dealership for tests - stated engine light report states "transmission failure" but no other info provided. Dealer could not replicate by driving and was told that I must continue to drive until the problem occurs again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda CR-v. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle emitted a loud noise and he was unable to control the vehicle. The contact stopped on the shoulder and saw that the drive shaft had separated from the rear differential. The vehicle was then towed to a repair shop. The vehicle was inspected and it was determined that the failure was related to wear and tear. In order to repair vehicle, the drive shaft needed replacement. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were 250,000.
Honda, 2003 crv 4wd with 50,000 miles. Engine light came on. Diagnostics revealed p0122 throttle position switch low volt caused automatic transmission not to shift correctly, and will prevent acceleration to highway speed. Dealer quoted $950.00 for a replacement of throttle body with the throttle position switch. Discussions with other mechanics indicated other failures which May result in a Honda technical service bulletin (TSB) or recall.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Honda crv. In an attempt to drive the vehicle, the contact heard a noise only when making an extreme turn, such as into a parking space. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the differential fluid needed to be replaced. The current mileage was 53,352 and failure mileage was 53,000. Update 06/10/08 updated 06/10/08
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, excessive corrosion of the shift cable linkage could prevent the driver from shifting the automatic transmission into park.
Remedy: Dealers will also install a new corrosion-resistant control pin. Owner notification began on August 19, 2003. Owners should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Transmission complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Honda CR-V, 5% of the model year's 468 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Honda CR-V transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-274 (automatic transmission, Jul 29, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Honda CR-V transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 41,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.