Honda HR-V problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 1,452 owner complaints and 12 safety recalls for the Honda HR-V. That averages 42.7 complaints per year on the road — a typical number of complaints (index 1.01 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Subcompact SUVs segment it ranks #6 of 6 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 24.6.
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
Across eight model years from 2018 to 2025, NHTSA logged 1,452 owner complaints and 12 safety recalls for the Honda HR-V, with the 2023 model year showing the highest rate at 186.4 complaints per year. While Body & structure issues account for 31.7% of complaints involving terms like "shattered" and "rear windshield," only 70 complaints describe a crash or fire resulting in 38 injuries and 0 deaths. Recent data indicates a worsening trend where the 2023 and 2024 models run significantly above earlier years, and owners filed 230 complaints in the last 12 months versus 293 previously. Twelve recall campaigns have occurred, including one in 2024 regarding front seat belt assemblies missing a rivet, while every other tracked Subcompact SUV model has fewer complaints per year.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.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 1,665% above the 2018 and 2019 models (365 early complaints per model year versus 21).
The 2023 model year has the highest rate (186.4 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (11.1). The 2023 model year runs at least 50% above the model's own average — the one to research most carefully. Model years 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022 sit well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Body & structure (31.7% of complaints), followed by Electrical (14.3%) and Interior & equipment (14.2%). Body & structure complaints are 3.5 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “shattered”, “rear windshield”, “window”, “glass” and “defroster”. 70 complaints (4.8%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 38 injuries and 0 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 230 complaints versus 293 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2019 model year generated the most recent reports (64). 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 defect 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” (opened 2024-04-04, closed 2025-03-26).
Every other tracked model among Subcompact SUVs has fewer complaints per year, including Mazda CX-30, Subaru Crosstrek, Toyota Corolla Cross and Hyundai Kona.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 156 | 18.0 | 0.43 | 23 | 0.26 | 33 | 3 | Electrical | View › |
| 2019 | 231 | 30.1 | 0.72 | 20 | 0.25 | 64 | 7 | Electrical | View › |
| 2020 | 83 | 12.4 | 0.29 | 6 | 0.11 | 19 | 5 | Fuel system | View › |
| 2021 Fewest complaints | 63 | 11.1 | 0.26 | 8 | 0.13 | 18 | 4 | Airbags & seat belts | View › |
| 2022 | 85 | 18.2 | 0.43 | 33 | 0.45 | 30 | 3 | Engine | View › |
| 2023 Years to research carefully | 685 | 186.4 | 4.43 | 639 | 7.69 | 22 | 3 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2024 | 107 | 40.0 | 0.95 | 92 | 1.31 | 19 | 4 | Steering | View › |
| 2025 | 42 | 25.1 | 0.6 | — | — | 25 | 1 | Steering | View › |
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: 230 · Previous 12 months: 293 Steady
Problem areas
Body & structure ›
461 · 31.7% · 3.46 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- shattered310
- rear windshield167
- window197
- glass167
Interior & equipment ›
206 · 14.2% · 1.58 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- shattered105
- window80
- rear108
- glass63
Steering ›
145 · 10.0% · 1.54 vs. all vehicles · Falling
- steering133
- wheel79
- sticky27
- distribution disconnect29
Fuel system ›
107 · 7.4% · 1.71 vs. all vehicles · Falling
- fuel96
- system gasoline68
- gasoline recall56
- distribution disconnect55
Transmission / powertrain ›
60 · 4.1% · 0.36 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- cvt24
- transmission44
- metal14
- fluid13
Driver-assist systems ›
53 · 3.7% · 0.64 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- camera23
- mitigation14
- lane23
- sensing10
Airbags & seat belts ›
52 · 3.6% · 0.94 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- air bags23
- notification air15
- bags recall12
- deploy12
Other
18 · 1.2% · 0.69 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- accelerated7
- crashed6
- police filed5
- seat7
Wheels, tires & suspension
8 · 0.6% · 0.22 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- tire5
- loud noise3
- rear6
- pressure3
Lighting
4 · 0.3% · 0.18 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- shattered432
- rear windshield208
- window305
- glass245
- defroster128
- exploded132
- fuel204
- heard141
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 14 months
What owners report
While driving, a vehicle attempted to pass three cars at once. At the last minute, the person saw an oncoming car approaching and quickly came back to the other lane, cause the three cars to break hard quickly.
I wan involved in a high speed crash and my air bags did not deploy. I was hurt hitting my head on the steering wheel.
The contact owns a 2019 Honda HR-V. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. No warning lights were illuminated.
I own a 2019 Honda HR-V, VIN [XXX]. My vehicle required replacement of the fuel pump motor associated with Honda’s fuel-pump recall.
The Multipurpose Camera Unit/Millimeter Wave Radar Internal Electronic system has failed (confirmed by Honda service center).
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 | 243 | 10.3 | 0.25 | Improving | Rising | 7 | Engine |
| 2 | Subaru Crosstrek | 881 | 21.7 | 0.52 | Improving | Rising | 13 | Body & structure |
| 3 | Toyota Corolla Cross | 288 | 21.7 | 0.52 | Worsening | Steady | 7 | Engine |
| 4 | Hyundai Kona | 928 | 22.4 | 0.53 | Worsening | Steady | 12 | Engine |
| 5 | Kia Seltos | 534 | 22.9 | 0.54 | Improving | Steady | 4 | Engine |
| 6 | Honda HR-V | 1,452 | 42.7 | 1.01 | Worsening | Steady | 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)
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.âs (Hondaâs) 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 …
- 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 vehicleâs wheels locked up with no warning while the vehicle was in motion.…
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda HR-V model year has the most complaints?
The 2023 model year has the highest rate (186.4 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (11.1).
Is the Honda HR-V getting better or worse?
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 1,665% above the 2018 and 2019 models (365 early complaints per model year versus 21). In the last 12 months owners filed 230 complaints versus 293 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Honda HR-V problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Body & structure (31.7% of complaints), followed by Electrical (14.3%) and Interior & equipment (14.2%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “shattered”, “rear windshield”, “window”, “glass” and “defroster”.
How does the Honda HR-V compare with other Subcompact SUVs?
Within the Subcompact SUVs segment it ranks #6 of 6 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 24.6. Every other tracked model among Subcompact SUVs has fewer complaints per year, including Mazda CX-30, Subaru Crosstrek, Toyota Corolla Cross and Hyundai Kona.
Does the Honda HR-V have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 12 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2024 (4). 2 NHTSA defect 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” (opened 2024-04-04, closed 2025-03-26).