The Honda HR-V is the automaker’s entry-level crossover SUV. But while it is a practical addition to the Honda lineup, there’s been notable complaints related to quality issues.
Consumers have high-tailed away in droves from sedans in favor of SUVs. Honda quickly responded to shifting consumer demand by shoring up its lineup to include a model for every sub-segment.
The Honda HR-V is the automaker’s entry-level subcompact crossover. It targets younger, smaller-household urban dwellers seeking a neatly compact SUV with good fuel economy and a five-star overall safety rating according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
First introduced for the 2016 model year, the HR-V was updated for the 2019 model year with revised styling, new interior features including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as updates to the HR-V’s continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
There was also the addition of an optional all-wheel-drive system. The Honda HR-V is expected to see a complete redesign for the 2022 model year.
While U.S. sales of the Honda HR-V have been consistently strong, broaching 100,000 units annually over the course of its production, there are certain issues potential buyers should be aware of when considering the HR-V.
Most Common Honda HR-V Problems
Although the majority of the problems and complaints reported about the Honda HR-V were isolated incidents experienced by drivers, there were a few issues noted by drivers repeatedly. The NHTSA reported the following complaints per year for the Honda HR-V:
- 2016: 129
- 2017: 55
- 2018: 37
- 2019: 28
- 2020: 4
As of publication, there has only been one complaint reported by the NHTSA for 2021. For comparison, in 2018, competitors like the Subaru Crosstrek and Toyota C-HR received 118 and 38 complaints, respectively.
Upon further review, the top three complaints that were most consistently reported to the NHTSA about the Honda HR-V were the following: electrical system malfunctions, peeling paint, and rear brake caliper failure.
In addition, Car Complaints reported that the top three most common problems with the Honda HR-V include uncomfortable seats, paint defects, and leaking window gaskets.
Any issues experienced with your vehicle should be reported to the closest Honda or Acura dealer as soon as possible.
Electrical System Failures
The highest number of complaints reported about the Honda HR-V fell under the “electrical system” category on the NHTSA website. The miscellaneous electrical failures reported range from minor sensor failures to electronic stability control device failures.
One complaint noted the vehicle stability assist modulator failed on a 2016 Honda HR-V which caused all dashboard lights to flash and light up and prevented the vehicle’s computer systems to operate properly. Replacement of the electronic stability control device on the Honda HR-V was stated to cost approximately $1,500.
Peeling Paint
Typically scuffs, dents, scrapes, and other paint-related mishaps are an accepted hazard associated with vehicle ownership. However, an alarmingly large number of drivers reported complaints related to peeling paint on their Honda HR-V.
For example, an owner of a 2016 Honda HR-V said large sections of paint had peeled from the roof and other body panels and had begun sighting rust spots occurring as early as 2019.
Paint issues continued to be reported to the NHTSA through the 2018 model year. In 2019, Honda issued a warranty extension specifically for the White Orchid Pearl and Bellanova White paint color options for 2016-2018 Honda HR-V model years.
Rear Brake Caliper Failure
Of the more serious complaints to have been reported about the Honda HR-V is related to rear brake caliper failure, which would trigger a recall to be issued by Honda in 2018 beginning with the 2016 model year. Drivers reported extended stopping distances and difficulties depressing the brake pedal. Unfortunately, several drivers noted this problem increased the risk of a crash.
Issues with the Honda HR-V’s brakes were reported as soon as 20 thousand miles. The recall related to the rear brakes calipers of the Honda HR-V for the 2016, 2018, and 2019 model years, as discussed further below.
Honda HR-V Recalls
Despite the complaints noted above, the Honda HR-V has a relatively clean bill of health after five years in production. Without major issues being reported or recalled with the engine or gearbox by Honda, the HR-V is a good option to consider. The noted complaints substantiated in a relatively low number of recalls for the Honda HR-V since 2016.
The NHTSA reported the following recalls issued by Honda per year for the HR-V:
- 2016: 2
- 2017: 0
- 2018: 2
- 2019: 3
- 2020: 0
As of publication, there have been zero recalls issued by Honda and reported to the NHTSA for the 2021 HR-V.
In 2016, Honda issued a recall related to the rear brake caliper failure issues discussed above. Honda states, “the rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance.”
Because of this issue, the Honda HR-V may not be in compliance with federal safety standards. The recall states that Honda will notify owners to take their vehicle to their local Honda or Acura dealer where the HR-V will have the brakes bled free of charge.
This same recall was reissued for Honda HR-V model years 2018 and 2019.
Between 2018 and 2019, Honda issued three separate recalls related to fuel pump failure in the HR-V. Honda states the low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, which could cause the engine to stall while driving and therefore increasing the risk of a crash.
Honda also stated it would notify owners to bring their HR-V to a local Honda or Acura dealer to replace the fuel pump assembly free of charge.
A minor recall was also issued for the 2016 Honda HR-V related to a missing tire placard, which if missing, the driver or owner may not know to what pressure level to inflate the tires. This could result in over or under-tire inflation, which potentially increases the risk of a tire failure and crash, according to Honda.
The automaker notes in this recall it would notify owners to bring their vehicle to a local Honda or Acura dealer to inspect and apply a new label if missing.
Honda HR-V IIHS Ratings
Another good source of vehicle information is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). On the IIHS scale of safety ratings, consisting of good, acceptable, marginal, and poor (from best to worst), the Honda HR-V overall ranked good or acceptable for almost all of the multiple safety points tested for the 2016 through 2021 model years.
Deficiencies consistently noted by the IIHS included poor headlight visibility rating and poor structure and safety cage for the side of the vehicle. The poor structure and safety cage for the side of the vehicle improved to an acceptable rating for the 2019 model year. The headlight visibility rating on the Honda HR-V improved thanks to the addition of optional LED headlights.
Honda HR-V vs. the Competition
After reviewing what the experts have to say about the Honda HR-V, with overall nothing but good things to say about the automaker’s entry-level subcompact crossover, how does the HR-V stack up against its biggest rivals?
While there are so many vehicles filling up the SUV space as a whole, Motor Trend listed the Subaru Crosstrek, Toyota C-HR, Nissan Kicks, and Kia Soul as the Honda HR-V’s key competitors.
Consumer Reports listed the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek at the top as the most reliable overall of the 2020 subcompact SUVs tested. With a five-star overall NHTSA safety rating, the Subaru Crosstrek had more NHTSA complaints and recalls per year than the Honda HR-V.
The Toyota C-HR may be the Honda HR-V’s most direct competitor – they both have “HR” in their name.
Motor Biscuit rated the HR-V better than the Toyota C-HR in almost every category, including performance and safety. While the Toyota C-HR did not begin production until 2018, buyers seem to be complaining about it to the NHTSA less than the Honda HR-V.
From Nissan is the Kicks, another trendy cute-ute occupying the subcompact crossover segment with the Honda HR-V. The IIHS reported more safety deficiencies with the Nissan Kicks across its tested categories than the HR-V.
For example, the IIHS noted a marginal rating for pelvis/leg protection for rear passengers in the Kicks where the Honda HR-V received a rating of good.
In 2020, however, the NHTSA reported a substantially larger number of complaints for the Nissan Kicks. A significant number of drivers are reporting engine issues with their vehicle like stalling or idling roughly or otherwise not operating normally.
Finally, the Kia Soul – the oldest nameplate of the Honda HR-V’s key competitors. Having been in production since 2010, Kia engineers have had the most time to refine the Soul’s soul.
As of 2021, Car and Driver ranked the Kia Soul as the third-best subcompact crossover it tested behind the Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona.
Car Complaints noted, however, that the 2012-2015 model years are the years to avoid for the Kia Soul. For comparison, the NHTSA reported 58 complaints for the 2018 Kia Soul and zero recalls, compared to the 37, 38, and 118 complaints reported for the Honda HR-V, Toyota C-HR, and Subaru Crosstrek, respectively.
Is the Honda HR-V a Reliable Vehicle?
Simply put, yes. While every vehicle will have random problems or issues that will need to be addressed over the course of its life, the Honda HR-V has consistently been a reliable vehicle for buyers since it began production in 2016; the value the HR-V offers outweighs any of the problems or complaints discussed above.
The Honda HR-V received a 4.3 consumer rating overall on Kelley Blue Book, and J.D. Power gave the HR-V a 78 out of 100 vehicle rating for 2021.
Owners who offered their insight about the Honda HR-V at Vehicle History echoed these ratings, commenting on the comfort, reliability, and abundance of features offered on the HR-V. Check out Vehicle History’s 2021 Honda HR-V photo gallery, below.
Photos: Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Evox Images
