2018 Honda HR-V

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.

I purchased my vehicle in July 2026 and nearly a month later the car alarm randomly began going off. The dash was lighting up and turning on with no provocation. This kept going on for a few days and eventually stopped. This now reoccurs every few weeks, draining my battery and requiring many jumps and even a new battery after the old one was only a few months old. With a diagnostic, it was concluded that I was in need of a Body Control Module, which is over a $1000 repair. After research, I have found this to be a common occurrence with many other HRV owners in this year range.

NHTSA ID

11776483

Incident

Nov 6, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly failed to operate properly, causing the vehicle to decelerate to 35 MPH. The contact stated that the right side of the instrument panel became inoperable. The contact was unable to see the mileage, and the battery life indicator failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The instrument panel failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was later taken to a service center, where the transmission failure was confirmed, and the transmission was replaced. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ID

11772465

Incident

Oct 8, 2026

Mileage

110,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, a fuel odor was noticed inside the cabin. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed that the fuel odor was normal following an unknown recall repair; however, a pool of fuel was discovered on top of the engine and cleaned up. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed fuel leaking onto the ground underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the undercarriage was cleaned, gaskets were replaced, and parts were tightened; however, the failure recurred. The contact again smelled fuel inside the cabin, which was confirmed by a service advisor, but a sniff test later yielded no signs of fuel odor. The contact stated that the failure began immediately after the unknown recall repair was completed. The manufacturer was notified, a case was filed and escalated, and the dealer was instructed to continue diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11771597

Incident

Sep 16, 2026

Mileage

100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that the LCD display was intermittently distorted or inoperable at startup and while driving, preventing the driver from monitoring the safety features, including the fuel gauge. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone, and a report was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11768371

Incident

Sep 22, 2026

Mileage

90,000 mi

When I started the vehicle ，LCD screen inside instrument cluster does not read cannot get fuel amount or mileage. It goes normal after driving 40 minutes.It happens every time since 9/20/2026

NHTSA ID

11766854

Incident

Sep 20, 2026

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. Honda is aware of this defective paint and should be made to repaint this vehicle no matter when the grace period ranout.

NHTSA ID

11760743

Incident

Aug 17, 2026

Far right gauge in cluster, namely fuel level, mileage, warning icons etc only is visible when the vehicle is extremely warmed up. Otherwise, this gauge is totally black. Has been this way since 2019.

NHTSA ID

11758802

Incident

Oct 1, 2019

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). Car paint started to chip off firstly on the driver side door as a small spot in 2022 and when notified the dealer, they did not pay much attention. Later on it was peeling off on the windshield on the passenger side. By the time I brought it to dealer's attention during a routine maintenance in Apr/2025, it was pass the manufacturer warranty and was told they cannot do anything about. Suddenly on Jun/2026 the car paint on the roof started to peel off in sheets exposing several inches at once. And the spots that were already damaged are now very wide spread. It surely indicate a manufacturing defect and when contact American Honda for assistance they claim it passed the warranty and now the responsibility if the customer. I find this not acceptable and why I should be bearing the fault of the manufacturer and that happen right after their limited warranty ending make me to think that of a hoax and ingenuine.

NHTSA ID

11757340

Incident

Jun 20, 2026

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.