Learn What’s Included With Your 2003 Honda CR-V Warranty

Your 2003 Honda CR-V came with a manufacturer’s warranty, also known as a factory warranty. Now, years later, you may be wondering what it covered. With this guide, we’ll help you figure out what coverage you had, whether it’s for your emissions system or the powertrain.

This chart gives you a quick overview of the most common warranties Honda offered on the practical 2003 CR-V compact SUV:

You’ll also learn the answers to some common questions Honda owners ask us in our FAQ section. Now we’ll review what your 2003 Honda CR-V warranty covered — and what it didn’t.

Factory Warranty

2003 Honda CR-V Basic Warranty

Under Honda’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty, the manufacturer would have repaired or replaced any defective part on your 2003 CR-V that’s defective in material or workmanship under normal use for the first three years or 36,000 miles, whichever came first. This has now expired.

Not every part was covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, either because it has its own protection or Honda simply doesn’t pay for those costs, including:

• Emissions control systems
• Accessories
• Battery
• Tires
• Cleaning and polishing
• Adding fluids (unless part of a warranty repair)
• Broken, scratched, or chipped window glass (unless defective)
• Cosmetic flaws or minor body damage that occurred during manufacturing or shipping
• Expendable maintenance items (spark plugs, filters, wiper blades, or brake pads)

2003 Honda CR-V Powertrain Warranty

Unlike modern Hondas, the 2003 CR-V did not have a separate powertrain warranty. Instead, the powertrain was covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty for the same period of three years or 36,000 miles. This has now expired.

Corrosion Perforation Warranty

The Rust Perforation Limited Warranty protected your 2003 Honda CR-V for five years with no mileage limits. This has now expired. It could not be transferred to an insurance company or another person. Only the original vehicle owner could claim this warranty.

Honda’s rust protection started with the New Vehicle Limited Warranty and warrantied body panels that are perforated by rust from the inside out. The manufacturer would also repair or replace previously serviced panels for the original five-year coverage’s remaining time frame. Rust caused by a defect in workmanship or material was protected by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Honda doesn’t warranty rust on any other part of the vehicle except the body panels. Other exclusions to this policy included:

• Surface rust on the underbody
• Rusting of repaired body panels (unless repaired or replaced under warranty)
• Rust caused by abuse, misuse, or lack of maintenance
• Rust caused by road hazards
• Rust caused by water, mud, sand, or resulting corrosive materials
• Paint matching

Battery Warranty

The Original Equipment Battery Warranty started at the same time as the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. It was covered for three years, regardless of mileage. This warranty has now expired.

During the first two years of your 2003 CR-V ownership period, Honda would have replaced a defective battery at no cost to you. Diagnosis, labor, and installation were also covered by the manufacturer. However, if the battery failed during the last 12 months of coverage, you’d have received a 50% credit toward the replacement cost of a new battery from an authorized Honda dealer. You would have also paid for any installation costs.

Tire Warranty

The original tires that came on your 2003 Honda were warranted by their manufacturer, not by Honda themselves. See page 30 of the warranty brochure for more information. 

In 2003, Honda used the following tire manufacturers to equip the CR-V:

• Yokohama Tire Corp. (Fullerton, California)
• Michelin Tire Corp. (Greenville, South Carolina)
• Goodyear Tire Co. (Akron, Ohio)
• Dunlop Tire Co. (Buffalo, New York)
• Bridgestone (USA) Inc. (Nashville, Tennessee)
• Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. (Akron, Ohio)

Emissions Warranty

Honda’s Federal Emissions Warranty covered your 2003 CR-V for at least three years or 36,000 miles. It protected the components that make up your vehicle’s emissions control systems, including the exhaust, ignition, and fuel injection parts. This has now expired.

However, if you live in a state with stringent emission regulations like California, Massachusetts, or Vermont, you may be protected longer because coverage on emissions systems varies by model and location, including:

• Three years or 36,000 miles (basic coverage)
• Three years or 50,000 miles (basic coverage in California and other specified states)
• Seven years or 70,000 miles (selected components in California and other specified states)
• Eight years or 80,000 miles (selected components)
• 15 years or 150,000 miles (certain vehicles in California and other specified states)

Honda’s basic emissions warranty covered the following components in addition to the exhaust, ignition, and fuel injection systems:

• Crankcase Control System
• Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System
• Evaporative and Refueling Emissions Control System
• Intake Air System
• OBD System
• Transmission Control System
• VTEC System
• Secondary Air Injection System
• VTC System

Additionally, the Clean Air Act requires manufacturers to cover the catalytic converter, engine computer, and onboard diagnostics for eight years or 80,000 miles. All of these warranties have now expired.

For more information about Auto Warranties, you can check out this directory containing everything you need to know about Auto Warranties arranged by system. 

2003 Honda CR-V Warranty Extensions Available Upon Car Purchase

You could have purchased an extended warranty through Honda Care if you had bought it before the New Vehicle Limited Warranty expired or at the time you took vehicle delivery. Since the 2003 Honda CR-V is more than three years old, this is no longer an option.

2003 Honda CR-V Extended Warranty Available Now

If you’re looking for affordable extended warranty coverage for your 2003 Honda CR-V, check out the FIXD Vehicle Protection Plan. We’ve partnered with CARCHEX, the industry leader in extended warranties, to cover everything from the engine and other powertrain parts to air conditioning and electrical systems, all for one low monthly fee. There are five levels of coverage available to suit all needs and budgets. Call now for a no-cost, no-obligation quote.

2003 Honda CR-V Recalls

There have been some recalls for 2003 Honda CR-V models. This list was last updated on 07/21/2022. See NHTSA.gov for up-to-date information on recalls, including: