2003 Honda CR-V LX from North America - Comments

Comments: 1-15, 16-18

29th Apr 2003, 16:32

"What happened to Honda quality?"

What things have gone wrong with the car?

The driver's door will not close properly. The dealer attempted to fix it, but it still doesn't close. The driver's door console is loose. The dealer attempted to fix it, but it still is loose. It is a manual transmission and the car will pop out of first gear every now and then. I haven't tried to have the dealer fix it yet. Given the dealer's efforts on the previous items, I am a little wary that it will ever get fixed. The biggest problem though is the interior. Honda has used very cheap plastic on the interior. The material is so cheap that the vehicle cannot be used for its intended purpose as a utility vehicle. We have not used our vehicle for anything other than driving to work and groceries and already the interior is so scratched and marked that it looks five years old. I have complained to the dealer and they are going to replace some of the plastic interior pieces. I am not sure what that will accomplish as we will just have the same problem again and again. This is a major defect on these vehicles and Honda should take immediate steps to recall these vehicles and replace the interior plastic with materials that won't scratch or mark with the heel of a shoe, a finger nail, or a grocery bag. It is really ridiculous to say the least.

General comments?

Until Honda improves its quality control and does something about the defective interior, one should not buy one of these vehicles.


30th Apr 2003, 12:23

You have just been unlucky.

I am on my 3rd CR-V, and not had any problems at all. You need to be more careful with your car!!!

Vote:

11th May 2003, 21:51

I have had a honda in the past and was nothing but pleased with the fit and finish, but the interior of the new cr-v is appalling. the dash and arm rests are covered in a rubber-like material that scratches at the slightest touch, absolutely ridiculous. I sank my thumbnail into it to see if it would spring back and it never did. I can't imagine why they would want to put such poor quality material in high traffic areas that are likely to be touched/scratched/banged often. how silly. kept me from buying a cr-v because I don't want my car to look 5 when it's only a year old...

Vote:

12th May 2003, 03:12

I agree...

Been looking for a used CRV and a couple of them have looked downright scruffy even after 2-3 years old, look a good deal older. Wanted to buy the HRV new, but felt the interior was even worse. But then I own a VW, so expect much higher quality. Shame - it looks great from the outside!

Graeme

Vote:

4th Feb 2005, 23:07

The first commentor is on his 3rd CR-V???...hasn't the CR-V been out for only a relatively short time???...yet he's already on his third one???

Vote:

9th May 2005, 19:54

The CRV has been out since 1997 in the states.

Vote:

20th Oct 2005, 18:50

Honda dealers and Honda Motor Company are to different creatures. Honda Dealers are primarily sales oriented and most people agree – are not the greatest at fixing things. Its tough to beat Honda engine quality, but the CR-V body is not all that great. Honda interior is another issue – needs more thought and less plastic.

Lloyd.

Vote:

10th Oct 2006, 03:05

My wife's on her 2nd CRV (2003),she previously owned a 1997...

During her first year of ownership on the '03:

1.A/C unit replaced

2.two window regulators replaced

3.loose brake pad bracket

4.rear door trim replaced twice

The last 2 years of ownership:

5.second A/C unit installed

6.window regulators 3 more times

7.two batteries replaced

8.transmission repaired under warranty

9.stereo replaced (cd player stopped working)

What else can I say? Honda quality is nowhere close to where it used to be! See my Acccord review under 2005 coupe ("When is a Honda is no longer a Honda") Have owned 12 Hondas up to now. The only good thing that I can say about the current Hondas are that they still have great resale value. I think

they are living off of their past reputation, not their current product line!!!

Vote:

10th Oct 2006, 08:59

I don't know. The quality in the interior and exterior is impeccable and the engines are feather smooth almost the same as my 2.2 liter, just made a little larger. Hondas tend to need the same work done on them: transmissions (Ody or if you have a CRV like we did and towed a little truck and when we towed over a thousand pounds of newspapers, while flooring the underpowered vechicle to 60 mph violently; tranny went at 80,000 miles), AC condensers--my 94 and 97 have that issue, window regulators (25/100) possibly. I really do not see any change from our 1980's Hondas to our 21 century Honda autos. The only change I see in the new ones is that they are not all rusted out, because of new rust proofing design.

Vote:

4th Jan 2007, 17:15

Are you serious? Honda should recall all the CRVs because of cheap plastic??? That is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard.

I have a 2003 with 95K and all I've ever done is change the oil, wash and wax, and put gas in the darn thing. Great great great vehicle.

Vote:

23rd Jun 2007, 09:30

This is my second CRV (it's a CR-V Ex 2003). I had nothing, but problems since I got it. The tires needed to be replaced at just under 41,000 miles, brakes, storage compartment breaking, the interior scratched very easily. I only have 67,000 miles and I am told the shocks and struts are done. I don't carry excessive loads or ride the brakes. Out of all the Honda's I have owned this has been the worst. I am seriously considering selling and leaving Honda behind.

Vote:

10th Jul 2007, 18:07

I'm curious. For the people on their second CR-V complaining -- why are you on your second?

Vote:

23rd Jul 2007, 15:09

I think, because their first (older) Honda, was a great car...duh.

Vote:

24th Jul 2007, 08:08

The CR-V model hasn't been around that long -- only 10 years. If the first one was so great, why did they have to get rid of it after such a short time? Maybe it wasn't that great.

Vote:

24th Jul 2007, 15:50

Only an American car would keep the same design for ten years.

Vote:

25th Jul 2007, 11:10

I agree, why change something when it's already good? Must be why the Jeep Wrangler remains wildly popular, even though it was basically the same vehicle for 30 years.

Vote:

Next 3 comments

All Honda CR-V reviews

Other CSDO Media Sites: Airline Flight Reviews | Mobile Phone Reviews | Motorcycle Reviews