Overview & Reviews

Fully revamped last year, the CR-V receives no significant changes for 2003.

• Highly versatile and roomy interior, stable handling, comfortable ride, high crash test scores.

• Limited off-road ability.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 483.00

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  Good car Except for expensive A/C repair - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Mark - October 13 - 1:54 pm

  Bought this w/ 94K miles and overall its an OK vehicle but very weak and slow. However, I expected that, as long as it got good gas mileage. Well this car is both slow and thirsty! I only get 20-22mpg mixed and for a 4cylinder this is unacceptable. Ive gotten better gas mileage w/ V-6s. Also, the A/C compressor problem is not a rumor or a joke. I knew about this problem after reading reviews but I did not thing it was common enough to be a risk, so bought the car anyway. I was wrong and 3 months after purchasing it the A/C compressor broke. Seems like not a big deal since its not engine/trans related but guess again. From the dealer, the A/C repair was quoted at $4000! because they need to replace the entire system. Thats more than an engine or transmission. Luckily I found an indy mechanic that fixed it for $1800. Still alot of $ to spend especially when comparable RAV4s dont have any of these costs.

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  Here One Not Depressingly Apperciated - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By hbechara - May 11 - 2:38 am

  I swapped my (BMW 323i 2001) into this car, was seeking for better fuel economy simply by thinking a 4cyl consume less than 6 cyl But unfortunately i was WRONG! in addition to the super 24 valves where each plays its own orchestra with unsupportable noises. The AWD sounds like you are driving a tank, simply lots of noises with a poor sound system. About the interior, dont expect something more than Honda, Luxury is devilish and we must keep away. Great A/C but you may freeze in front seats to comfort whos sitting in the back. Bad deviation if accelerating up in a ramp.

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  just not for me - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By billie - January 9 - 7:57 pm

  I bought this used crv to save money and downgrade from my 2007 F350 Crew Cab PSD. Since Im used to large trucks this was a huge transition. Thought it wasnt bad test driving it, but I didnt ride as a passenger and did the next day after buying and that is when I noticed how small it felt. I felt cramped and the seats became uncomfortable.

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  This LEMON should be selling lemonade! - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By mbpace - September 23 - 5:22 pm

  We bought this car new in May 2003. 2 weeks later the radio stops working. Its "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 wont lock in place fixed 2 times and then new seat put in. Feb 2005 locks dont 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 wont release CDs 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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  Very disappointed - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Monie - July 4 - 8:57 pm

  I bought a Honda thinking I wouldnt have any issues. I bought it used but certified. I got the carfax had one owner. I have had the air conditioner blow up twice. I also have had several other issues. Thank god I got the extended warranty that covered most of the problems. I do mean most. They always seem to come up with things it didnt cover. I am about to hit 100k miles and really thinking about trading it in because I cant cover any more problems.

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  Beware of A/C Compressor Issues - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Tim - January 26 - 10:00 am

  We owned this car for a little over 2 years and it was definitely a great car overall EXCEPT for the A/C compressor issues. The compressor blew not once, BUT TWICE on us within a 6-month period and the car only has 62,000 miles on it! Honda would NOT help us out with goodwill assistance and insisted its not a known issue (do an internet search and youll find thats NOT true). If you get one without A/C issues then it would probably still be a great car to own - very practical.

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  Honda CRV A/C Problem - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Unhappy Honda Owner - August 24 - 12:18 pm

  Were very unhappy about having to shell out $1,618 for a new A/C system a couple weeks ago for our 03 Honda CR-V. Vehicle hadnt quite hit 70,000 miles and was no longer under warranty. We didnt want to sweat through a hot, humid MN summer without A/C, and dealership wouldnt even consider a trade-in without it being fixed. So didnt feel we had much choice in the matter. Honda evidently covered about $2,200 in parts, and the dealership provided us with a loaner, for which we were grateful, but still a big financial hit when we could least afford it. Very disappointed in Honda quality. Lots of people seem to be experiencing same problem. They need to do a recall.

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  Piece of JUNK! - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Michael - July 22 - 7:29 am

  I have less than 53,000 miles on my 2003 CR-V and have spent over $4,500 on it in the past 8 months. New AC, new struts, new ABS brakes, new emissions controller, new SRS controller and more. And of course, all this started happening very shortly after my warranty expired.

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  Good and bad about CR-Vs - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Arnie Orloski - June 4 - 11:16 am

  Had great success with 98 CR-V, so we bought this 03. Like the peppier engine, but like some others before, we bought one when Honda was having trouble with AC compressors. In addition, spent $600 on new brakes and now need a new clutch, and we still havent hit 50K. With the 98 CR-V, we traded it in at 110K with the original AC compressor and even original clutch! Nonetheless, in very snowy northeastern WI, the AWD has performed well, mileage is okay, and amenities (sunroof, 6 CD player, etc.) are nice.

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  No more Hondas - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Hondanomore - September 5 - 3:05 pm

  I have owned Hondas for over 20 years, but the CRV makes me think I will never own another. 4 years and 66,000 miles the air compressor blows 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.