Honda HR-V problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 9 model years (2018–2026), NHTSA has logged 1,490 owner complaints and 12 safety recalls for the Honda HR-V. That averages 39.4 complaints per year on the road — a typical number of complaints (index 0.98 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Subcompact SUVs segment it ranks #6 of 6 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest); the segment average is 22.7.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 1,631% above the 2018 and 2019 models (365 early complaints per model year versus 21).
The 2023 model year has the highest rate (181.3 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (10.9). The 2023 model year runs at least 50% above this model's average of 39.4 complaints per year on the road across its tracked model years. Model years 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022 run at least 40% below this model's average of 39.4 complaints per year on the road.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Body & structure (31.1% of complaints), followed by Electrical (14.5%) and Unspecified or other (14.2%). Body & structure complaints are 3.4 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 74 complaints (5.0%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 39 injuries and 0 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 244 complaints versus 282 in the previous 12 months — down 13%. The 2019 model year generated the most recent reports (65). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 14 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 12 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2024 (4). 2 NHTSA investigations have covered this model; the latest is “Front Seat Belt Assemblies may be Missing the Rivet that Secures the Quick Connector and Wire Plate” (recall query, opened 2024-04-04, closed 2025-03-26).
Every other tracked model among Subcompact SUVs has fewer complaints per year, including Mazda CX-30, Kia Seltos, Subaru Crosstrek and Hyundai Kona.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 158 | 18.0 | 0.45 | 32 | 3 | Electrical | View › |
| 2019 | 236 | 30.3 | 0.75 | 65 | 7 | Electrical | View › |
| 2020 | 84 | 12.4 | 0.31 | 16 | 5 | Fuel system | View › |
| 2021 Fewest complaints | 63 | 10.9 | 0.27 | 18 | 4 | Airbags & seat belts | View › |
| 2022 | 88 | 18.4 | 0.46 | 33 | 3 | Engine | View › |
| 2023 ▲50%+ | 687 | 181.3 | 4.49 | 24 | 3 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2024 | 109 | 39.1 | 0.97 | 18 | 4 | Steering | View › |
| 2025 Too new to rank | 47 | 26.3 | 0.65 | 25 | 1 | Steering | View › |
| 2026 Too new to rank | 18 | 18.0 | 0.45 | 13 | 0 | Electrical | View › |
▲50%+ = 50%+ above this model's average yearly rate. “Too new to rank”: under two years on the road, so the model year cannot be named the one with the fewest complaints yet. 1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 244 · Previous 12 months: 282 Within ±30% year on year
Problem areas
Body & structure ›
464 · 31.1% · 3.42 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Electrical ›
216 · 14.5% · 0.92 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Unspecified or other ›
212 · 14.2% · 1.58 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Steering ›
152 · 10.2% · 1.59 vs. all vehicles · Falling
Fuel system ›
107 · 7.2% · 1.66 vs. all vehicles · Falling
Engine ›
77 · 5.2% · 0.23 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Transmission / powertrain ›
63 · 4.2% · 0.36 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Brakes ›
59 · 4.0% · 0.66 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Airbags & seat belts ›
54 · 3.6% · 0.95 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Driver-assist systems ›
54 · 3.6% · 0.63 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Other
19 · 1.3% · 0.69 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Wheels, tires & suspension
9 · 0.6% · 0.24 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Lighting
4 · 0.3% · 0.17 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 14 months
What owners report
My 2025 Honda HR-V experienced an apparent braking/ABS/VSA system malfunction and is currently at the Honda dealership. The dealership has not released the vehicle back to me, and it is available for inspection.
I was at my workplace’s parking garage today and was attempting to park my 2019 Honda HR-V. While I was slowly attempting to park, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without my intention, and the brakes became unresponsive.
On September 30, 2026, the factory-installed moonroof glass on my 2026 Honda HR-V EX-L suddenly shattered while I was driving on the freeway. There were no warning signs, unusual noises, or indications of a problem beforehand.
The contact owns a 2023 Honda HR-V equipped with Firestone Tires, Tire Line: Destination LE3, Tire Size: 225/55/R18, DOT Number: 17X5LDLE3.
The electronic power steering rack is binding internally, causing a highly dangerous sticky steering condition on a 2025 Honda HR-V (VIN: [XXX]).
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Subcompact SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mazda CX-30 | 254 | 9.4 | 0.23 | Improving | Rising | 7 | Engine |
| 2 | Kia Seltos | 559 | 20.1 | 0.5 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 4 | Engine |
| 3 | Subaru Crosstrek | 903 | 20.1 | 0.5 | Improving | Rising | 13 | Body & structure |
| 4 | Hyundai Kona | 966 | 21.1 | 0.52 | Worsening | Within ±30% year on year | 14 | Engine |
| 5 | Toyota Corolla Cross | 295 | 21.6 | 0.53 | Worsening | Within ±30% year on year | 7 | Engine |
| 6 | Honda HR-V | 1,490 | 39.4 | 0.98 | Worsening | Within ±30% year on year | 12 | Body & structure |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 12
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (3) · 2019 (7) · 2020 (5) · 2021 (4) · 2022 (3) · 2023 (3) · 2024 (4) · 2025 (1) · 2026 (0)
Investigations
- Front Seat Belt Assemblies may be Missing the Rivet that Secures the Quick Connector and Wire Plate Closed
On April 4, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ24006 to investigate American Honda Motor Co.’s (Honda’s) proposed remedy for recall 23V-782 as well as scope of the vehicles involved. Honda issued recall 23V-782 on November 21, 2023, which concerns certain model year (MY) 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Honda Accord Hybrid, and Honda HR-V vehicles. Recall 23V-782 states that the driv…
- Rear Differential Seizure Closed
On November 29, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE 22-011 after reviewing field reports alleging rear differential seizure in 2018-2022MY Honda CR-V and HR-V vehicles equipped with all wheel drive. To date, ODI has not received any consumer complaints. Some of the field reports received alleged the vehicle’s wheels locked up with no warning while the vehicle was in motion. T…