RoadVitals

2018 Honda HR-V

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
152
+1 complaint in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Dec 18, 2023
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
11
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 152 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Honda HR-V, most frequently naming the electrical, fuel system and powertrain (other) categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 91 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Dec 18, 2023
2,490,460 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number KGC, KGDView on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

May 28, 2020
135,995 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Nov 1, 2018
64,785 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number C31, L30View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE22011ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Rear Differential Seizure

Opened Nov 28, 2022
Closed Jul 22, 2024

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. These vehicles were towed to a dealership. Examination of these vehicles showed the driveshaft had broken and the differential unit was completely damaged. The field reports cited a lack of oil due to damaged oil seals as the cause. Honda provided data including consumer complaints, field reports, and warranty claims they received relating to the loss of oil retention and resulting differential damage. Honda’s data cited 1201 incidents with unique vehicle identification numbers (VINs). The rear differential oil seals  prevent the oil from leaking out and protect internal components from contaminants. A loss of oil lubrication results in failure of the vehicle differential.  Honda stated that the oil seal’s lip contact with the driveshaft may become unstable due to intermittent changes in internal pressure. Their review of field report and warranty data indicated that these failures occurred early in the vehicle’s life thus the failures were covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Honda stated that in November 2021 they changed the seal specifications and improved the packaging process of the parts for transport.  Honda also enacted an enhanced visual inspection process both before and after the oil seal installation on the assembly line. Honda stated that in the event of differential failure, the operator can control the vehicle without stability loss. After the drive shafts break due to differential failure, the operator will hear noises and the vehicle will still function as a 2WD vehicle preventing complete loss of motive power. Based on the following factors, ODI is closing this investigation: ·       Information regarding field failures does not indicate hazardous outcomes ·       The failures are occurring early in the life of the vehicle ·       Repairs are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty ·       The vehicle can continue functioning as a 2WD without loss of stability control in the event of failure The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Visibility
Filed Aug 10, 2026

The rear glass/rear windshield of my parked car unexpectedly broke after using the rear defrost on XXX I am concerned about a possible defect involving the rear glass and/or rear defroster. Curry Honda, a Honda-authorized dealer, inspected the vehicle and confirmed the glass failure, but the underlying cause was never determined. Curry Honda’s written documentation recommended replacing the rear glass and specifically stated that the rear defroster function should be checked. However, Sarah at Curry Honda later told me that the rear defroster would NOT be tested. I have an audio recording of that conversation. This is the primary reason for my complaint: I specifically wanted the rear defroster evaluated as a possible contributing factor, but Sarah did not want to have the rear defroster function tested, leaving a potential cause of the unexpected glass failure uninvestigated. The glass broke without warning on XXX There were no warning lights or messages beforehand. The unexpected glass failure created a potential safety concern because it affects rear visibility and vehicle safety. Curry Honda told me it did not know how the glass broke and that there would not be a diagnostic report for this type of concern. American Honda later instructed me to obtain a diagnosis from a Honda-authorized dealer, but Curry Honda did not provide the requested diagnostic report. Curry Honda’s documented repair amount was $1,653.66 plus tax. I was later told that a $2,200 figure was being used regarding American Honda’s goodwill assistance. I was NOT directly given a $2,200 written quote; [XXX] and Sarah told me that figure, and I have recordings of those conversations. I am not claiming the rear defroster caused the glass to break. I am reporting that the suspected component was specifically identified for testing by the dealership, but Sarah stated it would not be tested. I believe the potential safety issue therefore remains inadequately investigated. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5

NHTSA ID
11755924
Incident
Jun 11, 2026
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jul 6, 2026

I am filing a formal complaint regarding two critical manufacturing defects on my 2018 Honda HR-V that pose immediate safety risks and financial losses: 1. CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE (Instrument Gauge Failure): The digital display gauge on the right side of the driver's dashboard consistently blinks out and displays entirely unreadable, corrupted characters. This failure makes it impossible to monitor the fuel gauge or know how much gasoline remains in the vehicle. This defect is highly temperature-dependent, becoming severely worse during colder months. Not being able to read the fuel gauge creates an immediate, dangerous safety hazard, risking sudden, unexpected engine stalling on active highways or getting stranded in hazardous conditions. 2. MANUFACTURING DEFECT (Paint Delamination): The vehicle is exhibiting severe paint peeling and flaking on the roof in four distinct places. The exterior clear coat and base coat are actively separating from the underlying primer due to an inherent manufacturing adhesion failure. The vehicle features the White Orchid Pearl color (Paint Code: NH-788P). American Honda Motor Co. previously acknowledged this exact production defect by issuing a Warranty Extension under Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 19-064, extending coverage for 2016–2018 HR-Vs for 7 years. However, because this premature failure is only now manifesting on my vehicle, Honda Corporate and local dealerships are refusing to cover the thousands of dollars in necessary repair costs, claiming the 7-year window has expired. Limiting the remedy to an arbitrary timeframe for an inherent manufacturing defect leaves consumers with a structurally degrading vehicle (exposure to rust and metal deterioration) & zero recourse. Respectfully request that the Office of Defects Investigation compel American Honda to address the dashboard electrical failures and expand or reopen the remedy for known White Pearl paint peeling defect to ensure consumer safety& manufacturer accountability

NHTSA ID
11748651
Incident
Jul 5, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 2, 2026

We have a Honda 2018 HRV We purchased it new from Suburban Honda in April 2018 They have serviced the in our ownership The CVT Transmission was serviced and maintained by this dealership The fluid was changed at 29.063 miles and the transmission was updated by Honda at 31781 miles The fluid was changed at 54874 Now at 76081 miles the CVT Transmission has failed and Honda has said its $9500.00 to repair No warning lights just a Cluck on XXX I feel if the transmission completey fail on the road at any time The car has been inspected and is at Honda Dealership in [XXX] now they have confirmed internal Transmission failure Honda should repair at no cost to our family INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11748018
Incident
Jun 19, 2026
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 11, 2026

My 2018 Honda HR-V had the federally-mandated Safety Recall 24-015 (Fuel Pump Motor replacement) performed on August 16, 2025 at Honda Westborough, Westborough, MA. The vehicle had zero EVAP-related issues or warning lights before that recall work. Approximately 9 months later, in May 2026, a parking alert and check engine light appeared on the dash. I brought the vehicle back to the same dealership. The technician retrieved diagnostic codes P0455 (large EVAP leak) and P0456 (small EVAP leak), performed a smoke test, and confirmed the leak was coming specifically from the FUEL PUMP MOTOR AREA - the exact same location where the recall work had been performed. The technician's own notes state: "confirmed leak coming from the fuel pump motor area." After replacing the O-ring and lock ring, the leak persisted at the same spot. A new fuel pump assembly (part# 17045-T7X-A02) was ultimately installed to resolve it. Honda Westborough charged me $1,676.61 for this repair, including $870.50 in labor and $724.83 in parts. When I contacted American Honda Customer Relations, they declined to reimburse me, stating the repair was unrelated to the recall. I strongly dispute this. The recall involved opening the fuel pump housing to replace the motor. The subsequent EVAP leak was confirmed by smoke test to originate at that exact location. No such issues existed before the recall. This is a direct causal connection. Other Honda owners on public forums (HR-V Forum, CivicX Forum) have reported identical P0455/P0456 EVAP leaks appearing within days or months of the same recall being performed, suggesting a systemic issue with the recall repair procedure, specifically, improper resealing of the fuel pump housing after motor replacement. I am requesting: 1. An investigation into whether the Recall 24-015 repair procedure is causing downstream EVAP system failures. 2. Honda be required to reimburse owners who incurred repair costs caused by improper recall workmanship.

NHTSA ID
11743597
Incident
May 14, 2026
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 20, 2026

Complaint Regarding 2018 Honda HR-V AWD – Air Conditioning Failure, Odometer Malfunction, and Prior Fuel Pump Replacement. I am filing a complaint regarding my 2018 Honda HR-V AWD due to ongoing mechanical and electrical issues that appear to affect many Honda HR-V owners. The primary issue is the air conditioning system, which has not been functioning consistently. The A/C repeatedly fails to cool properly and intermittently stops working altogether. I am aware that many other Honda HR-V owners have reported similar air conditioning problems, and Honda has offered extended warranty coverage for certain Honda vehicles with A/C system defects. However, my vehicle has not been included in that extended coverage, despite experiencing the same recurring issues. In addition, the vehicle previously required a fuel pump replacement in 2021. I am concerned that this may indicate broader reliability and safety-related defects affecting this model. The vehicle is also experiencing mechanical and electrical problems involving the odometer/instrumentation system. The odometer has shown irregular behavior and appears to malfunction intermittently, raising concerns about the accuracy of vehicle information and overall reliability. I have been experiencing these issues for years without any resolution. I reached out to Honda Customer Service about these issues, but because my "VIN" is not included in the recall or extended warranty, I haven't been able to get much help. I believe these issues warrant investigation, particularly given the number of similar complaints from other Honda HR-V owners. I respectfully request that Honda be required to extend warranty coverage and corrective action to include affected 2018 Honda HR-V AWD vehicles like mine. Thank you for your attention to this matter

NHTSA ID
11739139
Incident
Nov 5, 2021
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 19, 2026

•What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? CVT, yes this is a known issue •How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? On Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 our Honda HRV catastrophically and dangerously failed. Our Honda HRV Navi is the all-wheel-drive (AWD) and we are the original owners. It shuddered and dropped speed from almost 70 mph, to about 20 mph, putting us and others at risk for a rear end collision. My wife is traumatized by these events and for being stranded on the side of the road. •Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, it was repaired at a high cost. •Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Honda dealership •Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. This was the first time there was any indication of a problem. The transmission was serviced on March 6th, 2026 at Honda a Honda Dealership. There were NO warnings of problems (i.e. NO slipping or hesitation during acceleration, NO engine revving without speed gain, NO sudden jerking or shuddering when driving, NO delayed engagement unusual noises (whining, grinding, clunking), NO fluid leaks of transmission fluid, and NO overheating or burning smell. When I queried the servicing dealership, I was told the March 6th, 2026 routine maintenance CVT service found no metal shavings or other issues in the transmission fluid. It was a routine scheduled and dealer suggested maintenance. On Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 our Honda HRV catastrophically and dangerously failed. Our Honda HRV Navi is the all-wheel-drive (AWD) and we are the original owners. It shuddered and dropped speed from almost 70 mph, to about 20 mph, putting us at risk for a rear end collision. My wife (the registered owner) is traumatized by these events and for be

NHTSA ID
11738917
Incident
Apr 21, 2026
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 29, 2026

The tires on this car are 215-55-R17 94 V, they were purchased through priority tire in September 2024 they were mounted by Mavis Tire in Lockport Illinois on April 28, 2026 while driving on the Illinois Tollway system at 7:30 in the morning the right rear tire started making a loud noise and then a pop sound. Where I proceeded to get over to the shoulder to get over to the shoulder. There was rubber trail all the way along the shoulder, where I pulled over from the tire after changing the tire and putting on the donut, I noticed a split in between the treads and the whole inner sidewall of their tire had blown out these tires were purchased as a set and when I got home, I noticed that three of the four tires were manufactured in 2023 and this tire in 2022. What concerns me is a week before this Card did a trip to Minnesota with a [XXX] grandson in the backseat. My cars are maintained meticulously, and these tires had an approximately 16,000 miles on them. I’ve never been XXX years of driving. Had a tire blowout like this. I contacted priority tire, which told me all they could do is try to help with contacting GT Radial as they are a third-party seller. I have pictures of the tire or it looks like the tire was almost destroyed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11734529
Incident
Apr 28, 2026
Body & structure
Filed Mar 31, 2026

Roof and pillar paint peeling

NHTSA ID
11728268
Incident
Aug 1, 2023

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

A21-047

POWER TRAIN

Service Bulletin - Due to the possibility of early deterioration of the Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) drive belt, American Honda is extending the warranty coverage on these CVT models to 7 years from the original date of purchase or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.

A23110A

POWER TRAIN

Service News - Some customers have complained of fluid leaking from the rear differential after it has been serviced due to over-torqueing of the drain plugs during servicing.

A21-047

POWER TRAIN

Service Bulletin - Due to the possibility of early deterioration of the Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) drive belt, American Honda is extending the warranty coverage on these CVT models to 7 years from the original date of purchase or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.

ATI&03312023906

SUSPENSION

Dealer Message Request for Visit: 2018-2022 Accord & HR-V Front Damper Noise (ACTION REQUIRED)

A20-053

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Service Bulletin - (Repair Procedure Revision) Due to swelling of the fuel pump motor impeller, the fuel pump may seize and stop working. If this occurs, the engine may not start, or the engine could stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Replace the fuel pump motor.

A20-052

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Service Bulletin - (Repair Procedure Revision) Due to swelling of the fuel pump motor impeller, the fuel pump may seize and stop working. If this occurs, the engine may not start, or the engine could stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Replace the fuel pump motor.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Honda HR-V by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027200
2026120043.8
2025421046.9
20241074159.7
20236813152.7
2022823165.9
2021624165.0
2020825165.4
20192227166.9
2018Viewing1523163.4
20171200047.7
20162382053.6

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.