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:
2003 Honda CR-V Factory Warranty Coverage: | |
---|---|
Basic warranty: | 3 years or 36,000 miles |
Powertrain warranty: | 3 years or 36,000 miles |
Corrosion perforation warranty: | 5 years with no mileage limits |
Battery Warranty: | 2 years at 100% and 1 year at 50% |
Emissions Warranty: | 3 years or 36,000 miles or 50,000 in some states |
Total Unique Recalls: | 15 |
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:
2003 Honda CR-V 4 DR
- December 10, 2020 – Driver Side Power Window Switch May Fail
- June 27, 2019 – Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
- June 27, 2019 – Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
- March 6, 2019 – Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
- April 26, 2018 – Improperly Installed Passenger Air Bag
- June 15, 2015 – Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
- May 28, 2015 – Driver’s Frontal Air Bag May Rupture
- November 4, 2014 – Passenger Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
- June 20, 2014 – Passenger Side Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
- October 5, 2012 – Driver Side Power Window Switch May Fail or Melt
- March 30, 2012 – Low Beam Headlight
- December 11, 2007 -Curved Tempered Automotive Replacement Glass
- June 7, 2004 – Honda/Air Bag Wiring
- July 29, 2003 – Honda/Shift Cable Linkage Corrosion
2003 Honda CR-V W/SAB
- July 21, 2022 – Components: Electrical System, Visibility
- June 2, 2022 – Components: Air Bags
- November 29, 2021 – Components: Air Bags
- August 26, 2021 – Components: Electrical System, Unknown or Other
- August 16, 2021 – Components: Exterior Lighting
- July 14, 2021 – Components: Fuel/Propulsion System
- May 25, 2021 – Components: Unknown or Other
- April 3, 2021 – Components: Air Bags
- March 1, 2021 – Components: Electrical System, Visibility/Wiper
- January 1, 2021 – Components: Exterior Lighting, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion System
- December 16, 2020 – Components: Electrical System, Visibility
- March 9, 2020 – Components: Electrical System, Air Bags, Unknown or Other
- March 9, 2020 – Components: Air Bags, Unknown or Other, Fuel/Propulsion System
- January 28, 2020 – Components: Seat Belts
2003 Honda CR-V Warranty Brochure/Booklet
For complete details about what warranties came with your 2003 Honda CR-V, download a PDF copy of the 2003 Honda CR-V warranty guide.
FAQs
Here are some additional questions that other 2003 Honda CR-V owners have asked our automotive experts about their warranty coverage:
What Voids a Honda Factory Warranty?
There are a few factors that could potentially void a Honda Factory Warranty, such as reckless driving, natural disasters like a flood or fire, poorly maintaining your vehicle, using improper fluids or replacement parts, and some aftermarket modifications.
Is an Extended Warranty Worth the Investment?
An extended warranty works as a safety net and can help you cover the cost of often expensive automotive repairs. With this added peace of mind, you’ll know you’re covered in the event of a mechanical failure.
What Other Warranties Did Honda Offer on the 2003 CR-V?
In addition to the warranties discussed, Honda offers a 15-year or 150,000-mile seat belt warranty. The company also offered a three-year or 36,000-mile warranty on your accessories and a one-year warranty on replacement parts. These policies have also expired.
If your factory warranty has expired and you’re looking to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, be sure to check out the FIXD+CARCHEX Vehicle Protection Plan. And remember, the best way to ensure warranty coverage (and prevent costly repairs in the first place) is to follow your manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedule. Get the FIXD Sensor and free app today for automated maintenance alerts based on your make, model, and mileage, easy engine diagnostics, repair shop finder, and more!
Sources:
New Vehicle Limited Warranty – Owners.honda.com. https://owners.honda.com/Documentum/Warranty/Handbooks/Y0595.pdf..
“2003 Honda CR-V 4 Dr.” NHTSA, https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2003/HONDA/CR-V/4%252520DR#recalls.
“Clean Air Act.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/transportation-air-pollution-and-climate-change/frequent-questions-related-transportation-air#:~:text=Specified%20major%20emission,device%20or%20computer.

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