Punxsutawney, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES DO NOT WORK RIGHT, BRAKES GO TO FLOOR, PUT ON EVERYTHING, MOTION4
NHTSA complaint #11088594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2003 Honda Cr-V brake problems
20 of the 580 complaints about the 2003 Honda Cr-V are about the braking system — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 27,000 miles.
20
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
5
25.0%
Rotor
4
20.0%
Service Brakes
4
20.0%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
10.0%
Pads
2
10.0%
Master Cylinder
1
5.0%
Wheel Cylinders
1
5.0%
Pads
1
5.0%
Brakes across every Honda Cr-V year
2002
29
3.0%
2003
20
2.1%
2004
14
1.5%
2005
16
1.7%
2006
24
2.5%
2007
15
1.6%
2008
22
2.3%
2009
13
1.4%
2010
25
2.6%
2011
19
2.0%
2012
23
2.4%
2013
27
2.8%
2014
22
2.3%
2015
37
3.9%
2016
19
2.0%
2017
176
18.4%
2018
198
20.7%
2019
95
9.9%
2020
32
3.3%
2021
27
2.8%
2022
15
1.6%
2023
28
2.9%
2024
20
2.1%
2025
29
3.0%
2026
12
1.3%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
at 158,000 miles
Stuart, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10837618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 164,000 miles
Hixson, TN
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10818583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 miles
Atlanta, GA
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN I PLACED THE CR-V IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY MY FOOT SLIP FROM THE BRAKE AND HIT THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR CATAPULTED HITTING MY HONDA ACCORD ON THE REAR PANEL OF THE DRIVER SIDE, MY ACCORD WAS PARKED PERPENDICULAR TO THE DRIVING PATH I INFORMED HONDA RECOMMENDED DESIGN CHANGES.. I REMEMBER THAT I USED TO OWN A TOYOTA CAMRY WHERE THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD ENOUGH GAP THAT I COULD PLACE MY FOOT BETWEEN THE TWO PEDALS. WILL GLADLY FURNISHED PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL .
NHTSA complaint #10515421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,840 miles
Erie, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED. THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE REAR PADS HAD SEPARATED FROM THE PLATE IN WHICH THEY WERE ATTACHED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PADS WERE PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 31,940 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,840. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE FRONT PADS WERE OK. UPDATED 09/05/07.
NHTSA complaint #10195454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,840 miles
Erie, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED. THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE REAR PADS HAD SEPARATED FROM THE PLATE IN WHICH THEY WERE ATTACHED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PADS WERE PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 31,940 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,840. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE FRONT PADS WERE OK. UPDATED 09/05/07.
NHTSA complaint #10195454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,000 miles
Marysville, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
I HAVE NOW TAKEN MY 2003 CRV IN FOR THE THIRD TIME BECAUSE OF VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FIRST TIME THEY MACHINED THE ROTORS AND THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THEM. NOW, AFTER ABOUT 15,000 MILES, THEY ARE TELLING ME THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. SOMETHING HAS GOT TO BE WRONG HERE.
NHTSA complaint #10169290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,200 miles
Ironwood, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DT: CALLER HAD PROBLEMS WITH REAR BRAKES. CALLER HEARD GRINDING AND SCRAPING WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. DEALER IN AREA SAID BOTH BACK BRAKE PADS WERE SHOT, AND DEALER REPLACED THEM. MANUFACTURER TOLD CALLER TO GO TO LOCAL AREA DEALER TO GET REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. CALLER SAID SHE HAD THIS PROBLEM GOING FORWARD AND BACKWARD WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10126912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,000 miles
Valdese, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FROM DAY 1 MY BRAKES DID NOT SEEM RIGHT. I HAD A VERY BAD VIBRATION IN MY BRAKES FROM PROBABLY 15,000 MI. AT APPROXIMATELY 17,000MI THE DEALER MACHINED OR TURNED THE ROTORS AND REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS. NOW AGAIN AT 35,000MI THE VIBRATION IN MY BRAKES ARE BACK. DEALER WANTED TO MACHINE AND TURN THE ROTORS ONCE MORE, BUT WE ARGUED THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL,A ND THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THEM AT 35,600MI. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE A LOT MORE HONDA OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED HONDAS IN THE PAST AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10110412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,700 miles
Madrid, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE CALIPER DID NOT RELEASE, CAUSING THE BRAKE PADSTO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. CONSUME RTOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STRIPPED DOWN THE BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY GONE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM IN THE CALIPER SYSTEM IN WHICH BRAKES DO NOT FULLY RETRACT CAUSING BOTH PADS AND ROTORS TO QUIETLY WEAR AWAY. THE CONSUMERS BRAKES WERE METAL ON METAL. DEALERSHIP WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS SO THE CONSUMERS WARRANTY WAS NULL AND VOID.
NHTSA complaint #10091711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,700 miles
Madrid, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE CALIPER DID NOT RELEASE, CAUSING THE BRAKE PADSTO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. CONSUME RTOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STRIPPED DOWN THE BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY GONE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM IN THE CALIPER SYSTEM IN WHICH BRAKES DO NOT FULLY RETRACT CAUSING BOTH PADS AND ROTORS TO QUIETLY WEAR AWAY. THE CONSUMERS BRAKES WERE METAL ON METAL. DEALERSHIP WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS SO THE CONSUMERS WARRANTY WAS NULL AND VOID.
NHTSA complaint #10091711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 miles
Williamsville, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
MY 2003 HONDA CRV HAS ONLY 27000 MILES ON IT. DURING A LONG DRIVE ON A VACATION, THE REAR BRAKES BEGAN TO FAIL. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, THE REAR PADS WERE GONE AND THE REAR DISKS WERE DESTROYED. I PAID NEARLY $500 TO REPLACE THE REAR DISC BRAKES. THE FRONT DISC BRAKES SHOW ONLY 50% WEAR. THE ORIGINAL BACK BRAKES WERE CLEARLY DEFECTIVE, ALTHOUGH HONDA WILL NOT ADMIT THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10081200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,500 miles
LAS Vegas, NV
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
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?
NHTSA complaint #10062265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,905 miles
Penfield, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
VEHICLE BRAKES ARE TOTALLY WORN OUT.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER HEARD A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE WORN. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE BRAKES FAILED PREMATURELY, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL WEAR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR PADS AND ROTORS. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10048479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10 miles
Denville, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN YOU MAKE TURNS AND THE ENGINE IS COLD THE RIGHT BRAKES CREATE A CLICKING SOUND. THIS IS NOT HEAR IN ANY OTHER CAR. THIS IS A SOUND THAT ONLY COMES FROM HONDA CRV. OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN THE SAME MODEL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, AND HONDA IS YET TO INSTITUTE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10049314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,143 miles
Plainfield, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PROBLEMS WITH FRONT BRAKES ON 2003 HONDA CRV.*MR THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. WHEN THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED THE STATED IT WAS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE SUV AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE DEALER DID REPLACE THE LOWER BRAKE PAD RETAINER CLIPS AS PER SERVICE BULLETIN. THE CONSUMER WAS OFFERED TO DRIVE ANOTHER 2003 CRV TO PROVE THE NOISY BRAKES WERE A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WASN'T HAPPY WITH THIS AND WOULD LIKE SOME SORT OF DISCOUNT OR THE DEALER TO PAY OFF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT WOULDN'T LATCH. CONSUMER HAD THE THROTTLE CABLE REPLACED TO ELIMINATE THE NOISE BUT TO NO AVAIL. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE NOISE WILL NEVER GO COMPLETELY AWAY. *PH *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10047755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,360 miles
NEW Boston, NH
Fire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
AFTER HAVING THE SHIFT CABLE LINKAGE CORROSION RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED, WHILE DRIVING 30/35 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED FOR IT'S FIRST OIL CHANGE AND THE RECALL. ONE MILE DOWN THE ROAD FROM PICKING THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE SMOKE WENT EVERYWHERE AND THERE WAS FLAMES COMING UP FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *CB ACCORDING TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE FIRE MAY HAVE ORIGINATED FROM BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR.
NHTSA complaint #10042645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW City, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS BRAKES MADE LOUD NOISE. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE TWICE, AND STATED IT WAS UNDER HONDA SPECIFICATIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10038210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500 miles
Chicago, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS
CLUNKING NOISE FROM FRONT BRAKES, WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED. DEALER SAYS THIS IS A NORMAL SOUND, NO OTHER CAR MAKES IT ONLY THE HONDA CRV. IT APPEARS TO BE THE BRAKE PADS THAT ARE NOT SECURELY FASTENED.
NHTSA complaint #10028949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Temple City, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I GOT A 2003 HONDA CR-V, I NOTICED THAT WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE IT'S MAKING A CLICKING SOUND. I WENT TO THE DEALER SO THEY CAN CHECK IT BUT ONE OF THE GUYS SHOWED ME A DIAGRAM OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. HE SAID THAT IT'S BEEN A PROBLEM WITH CR-V AND CIVIC. THEY CAN PUT GREASE ON IT BUT AFTER A WHILE YOU WILL HEAR THAT CLICKING SOUND AGAIN. FOR ME THIS A MAJOR PROBLEM. THEY CALL IT "SLIDING DISC BRAKES". *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.