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2003 Honda CR-V steering problems

14 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 40,000. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
14
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
40,000
crashes
3
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Column
    2
  • Steering wheel/handle bar
    1
  • Hydraulic power assist: pump
    1
  • Column locking: anti-theft device
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Honda CR-V steering problems in other years

1997200020052010201520202026

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2003 Honda CR-V owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 7, 2024 · Body, Steering · OH · crash · 1 injury

I let my daughter borrow my crv, she was coming backing from making errands going around a corner and she could not control the vehicle, she continued to try to turn the wheel in the direction she wanted to go but it would not, she ended up hitting another vehicle and came to a rest in someone’s yard. The officer on the scene did not want to sight her but had to under the law failure to control, he could see it was a mechanical failure. My vehicle has been maintained by several good mechanics but where the frame broke unless you pulled all the plastic down you would never know the frame was rotted. My daughter was 6.5 months pregnant at the time and her doctors told her to go get emergency ultrasounds done she had 2. The day of the accident and the next day. Everything was fine. I did contact and sent some pictures to Honda and all of the information they asked for but never heard back. I did try to send pictures but it would not let me upload.

Filed Aug 19, 2013 · Airbags, Steering · CO · crash

We were told that the vehicle was in car accident which perhaps lead to the present problems. I'm not an expert on cars. However I do feel a safety concern with the vehicle on the road with children. The vehicle has been sent 4 times; fix mostly a loose noise with steering issues (there connected?). These issues occur constant during turns and on the road. Once the mechanic works on the vehicle the problems always return. Are there any defects or safety issues regarding loose noise, or steering problems? And prior to any accident? Second, the dealer did send the vehicle to honda to check the air bag but that seams to be a concern as well. Any ideas for me? Third, not only do I have a safety concern but the dealer is not able to provide any documentation of fixing any parts. So we really don't know what is wrong with the vehicle in regards to; what has been fixed or a defect prior to a accident?

Filed Apr 20, 2011 · Steering · 139,100 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda crv. The contact stated that while driving at any speed, the steering wheel tilt lever would become unlocked, causing the contact to lose complete control of the vehicle. Both the dealer and manufacturer advised the contact that there were no related recalls and offered no further assistance. No repairs were performed. The current mileage was 151,000 and the failure mileage was 139,100.

Filed Dec 16, 2010 · Steering · 139,100 miles · VA

In my 2003 honda crv ex I had been noticing that my steering wheel tilt lock lever had been getting looser after each time I adjusted the steering wheel position. Sometimes I would just be driving down the street and the steering wheel would suddenly go up and down and I would have to react very quickly by pushing the steering wheel tilt lever back up into the locking position. Eventually this problem would occur up to 5 times a day. Recently I was driving on the interstate with my entire family in my crv. I was going approximately 64 miles an hour when suddenly the steering wheel lurched almost out of my hands after going over a small bump. I was surrounded by vehicles on all sides and almost lost control of my vehicle. If I did not act very quickly by pulling the tilt lever back into the locking position there would have been a terrible multicar accident on the interstate and me and my family could have been injured or killed. I called my local honda dealership and explained what happened and if there was a recall on the faulty tilt lever. They said they were not aware of a recall for this item. This is a very serious and potentially life threatening defect that should be addressed by honda immediately.

Filed Nov 17, 2010 · Acceleration, Airbags · 75,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 honda cr-v. The contact stated that the coolant leaked which caused the air conditioning compressor to fail. The steering column overheated. The passenger air bag light illuminated with or without a passenger in the seat. The cruise control activated suddenly at times. The oxygen sensor light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop but the exact causes of these failures could not be determined. The contact called the manufacturer who advised her to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000 and the current mileage was approximately 77,000.

Filed May 4, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 92,000 miles · CA

There is two problems with my 2003 honda cr-v. When car has sat overnight or when the air conditioner was on full and the car was off when we went to start the car it sounded like the main starter had been corroded not allowing the car to start it's not the battery nor the alternator and whats keeping the starter from starting the car only has 92,000 miles. The bigger safety issue is that the tilt steering is not locking allowing it to stay loose while driving, this is a big issue when in motion and cannot find a solution. My two requests are why is the starter going bad so early and why wont the tilt lock into place?

Filed Dec 29, 2006 · Steering · 40,000 miles · CA

Steering wheel locking mechanism is defective and drops unexpectedtly in my 03" honda crv. Reported this problem to honda corp and I am awaiting to see if it will be covered by them. When I called the dealer back I was told this was not the first time he had seen this problem. I feel this safety concern is not being addressed by honda corp promptly and I am not allowing my wife and small child to drive the vehicle. The repair will cost a thousand dollars to fix, my expense I was told. When this problem with the tilt wheel locking system fails - this is a accident waiting to happen - especially at high speeds in a SUV.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Steering · 15 miles · TX

Steering hangs in a turn causing dangerous lose of control. Steering wheel must be forced back. Dealer tried to fix problem but failed. Both dealer and honda tech-line (engineers) concluded that the problem in inherent in the new design and there is no fix. Leaving me with an unsafe vehicle. I was forced to dispose of the vehicle with only 500 miles on it, at a $2000 lose.

Filed Nov 7, 2003 · Airbags, Steering · WA

Steering wheel and air bag. Position either puts driver at risk of injury from air bag, or driver cannot see the dash gauges. Both are serious design flaws (and potentially safety issues) on this vehicle, 2003 honda crv, ex model.

Filed Oct 20, 2003 · Steering · 11,469 miles · MA

The steering wheel has locked and vehicle could not be controlled while the vehicle was moving. This has occurred on two separate occasions. The vehicle had to be turned off then on again in order for the steering wheel to be unlocked. *ph

Questions about the 2003 Honda CR-V steering

Does the 2003 Honda CR-V have steering problems?

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Honda CR-V, 3% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Honda CR-V steering problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 40,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Honda CR-V steering?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Honda CR-V have bad steering?

The Honda CR-V model years with the most steering complaints are 2018 (335 complaints), 2023 (325 complaints) and 2019 (198 complaints).

Other 2003 Honda CR-V problems

Airbags 125Engine 92Electrical 62Lights 40Acceleration 32Visibility 24Transmission 23Brakes 18Locks 17Body 14Suspension 13Fuel system 12Seat belts 12Tires 9Wheels 2Driver assistance 1Seats 1

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