NHTSA has received 158 owner complaints about the 2018 Honda HR-V, or 18.0 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.45, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #32 of 76 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Honda models its rate is 75% lower; against other Subcompact SUVs it is 21% lower.
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
Complaints filed between 2018-03-26 and 2026-10-01. Median delay from incident to filing: 18 days.
158Complaints
18.0Complaints per year on the road
0.45Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls
7.0%Share involving a crash or fire
32Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 30.3 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 23 complaints, 73% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (29.7% of complaints), followed by Fuel system (20.9%) and Body & structure (10.8%). Electrical complaints are 1.9 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 11 reports (7.0%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 5 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 72 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (62% of incidents). In the last 12 months 32 new complaints were filed, versus 40 in the 12 months before — down 20%.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year. 1 NHTSA investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Rear Differential Seizure” (preliminary evaluation, opened 2022-11-28, closed 2024-07-22).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.45
vs. other Honda models0.25
vs. other 2018 models0.38
vs. other Subcompact SUVs0.79
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (23)0.27
On September 17. 2025 I was at a red light on Normandie Avenue and Exposition Blvd the light turned green and as I was entering the intersection going southbound my doors on the vehicle started locking and un locking, my dashboard went black and the car shut…
Electrical · 2026-03-09 · ODI 11722863 · Crash
On March 11, 2025 I took my car to Gardena Honda for a fuel pump recall for my 2018 Honda HR-v ex. On September 17, 2025 I had a system malfunction where the doors were locking and unlocking the dashboard went black and a car symbol with doors opened appear…
Electrical · 2025-11-26 · ODI 11701628 · Crash
The white paint on this vehicle is peeling off. It may come off in a large amount driving down the highway which could cause a safety issue for any vehicle nearby.
Body & structure · 2026-08-30 · ODI 11760743
Car paint is White Orchid Pearl and had been issued NHTSA complaint about it. The manufacturer lately issued warranty for the paint limited to 7 years (Mar/2025).
Body & structure · 2026-08-17 · ODI 11757340
SRS / airbag light permanently remain on which indicates a fault with the system. Technician said it’s most likely due to a faulty sensor in the passenger seat.
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-08-14 · ODI 11756868
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura NSX, 2019 Acura RDX, RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R and HR-V, 2019-2020 Insight and 2019 Fit vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 22, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER Campaign 18V777000 · 2018-11-01
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.
PE22011 · preliminary evaluation · POWER TRAIN · Opened 2022-11-28 · Closed 2024-07-22 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
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…
