HondaCR-V2003Overview/honda/cr-v/2003/base/

2003 Honda CR-V

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 CR-V.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2003 Honda CR-V is an SUV equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission, delivering an EPA-estimated 20 city and 26 highway mpg for a combined 22 mpg. Routine servicing dictates exactly 4.4 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil, a straightforward mechanical specification that contrasts with the vehicle's more complicated ownership record. Accumulating 493 total owner complaints, 14 recalls, and with the airbags identified as the top complaint area, this model year sits on the problematic side of the CR-V's 1997-2026 reliability spectrum—far exceeding the 99 complaints of the lowest year in 2026 and indicating notable safety concerns for researchers.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/26/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 410 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 51R · 410 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-70SR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length171.7 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase103.5 in
Curb weight3263 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 26 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the CR-V of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.1–10.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.10 sec — 2002 EX
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2002EX 2.4L I-48.10 sec16.10 sec160 hpAWD
2002EX 2.4L I-48.40 sec16.60 sec160 hpAWD
2002EX 2.4L I-48.90 sec17.00 sec160 hpAWD
2004EX 2.4L I-410.00 sec17.20 sec160 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6MM Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, 8MM Bolts: 20 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54 ft-lbs, MT: 76 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts33 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8mm Bolts: 20 ft-lbs , 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 700, AT: 800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.06-1.17 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.33-5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance410 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)48.0-55.0 psi
Engine Compression135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi @ idle, 44 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.008-0.010 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.011-0.013 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs / 16 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs / 41 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.063 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.905 in / 0.354 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.905 in / 0.354 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
136 ft. lbs., step 2: 9036 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Apply engine oil to bolt thread and under-bolt heads, If using old bolts:

129 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees; If using new bolts:90 degrees
129 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
490

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 110,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 20,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 90,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
At 110,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 160,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2003 CR‑V sits squarely in the middle of the second generation (2002–2006), a period marked by a sharp spike in federal records. With 493 complaints, 14 recalls, and 8 investigations, the 2003 model is nearly as troubled as the peak 2002 year (527 complaints, 16 recalls) and significantly worse than the later years of the generation—2005 and 2006 each have fewer complaints (479 and 398) and far fewer TSBs (99 and 55). The top complaint areas for 2003 are air bags (115) and engine/cooling (74), and the data also shows 49 crash-related and 25 fire-related complaints. While the generation’s recall count remains high through 2006, the complaint and TSB numbers trend downward after 2003, suggesting that later model years may have resolved some issues. Because the 2003 year falls near the generation’s worst point and the data does not specify root causes for the spike, it is not a recommended buy; a later second‑generation CR‑V (2005 or 2006) would be a safer choice based on the available federal record.

14
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
215
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
8
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
493
Owner complaints
49 involved a crash · 25 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 493 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags115
Engine & Engine Cooling74
Vehicle Speed Control24
Equipment24
Electrical System23
Exterior Lighting22
Power Train20
Unknown Or Other14

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 14 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V182000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 06/03/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may…

20V768000Visibility:Power Window Devices And ControlsReported 10/12/2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2002-2006 CR-V vehicles. Moisture may enter the driver side power window master switch, causing the switch to fail or melt. Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power window master switch and inspect the wiring harness for damage, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 215 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A20-1222022-11-10VisibilityService Bulletin - REVISION SUMMARY - Under WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION, a note was added…
A20-0092020-03-10Air BagsService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
A20-0142020-03-10Air BagsService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
A18-0492018-05-25Air BagsService bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
A18-0462018-05-24Air BagsService bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific CR-V. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 CR-V take?

4.4 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 CR-V have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the CR-V get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.