2019 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 was at my workplace’s parking garage today and was attempting to park my 2019 Honda HR-V. While I was slowly attempting to park, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without my intention, and the brakes became unresponsive. The vehicle continued to accelerate uncontrollably despite my attempt to stop it. The vehicle crashed through/into the metal barrier cable at the edge of the parking garage. The barrier cable ultimately prevented the vehicle from going over the edge of the garage. If the barrier had not stopped the vehicle, I could have fallen several levels from the parking garage and potentially died. The vehicle eventually came to a stop after making contact with a neighboring parked vehicle. That vehicle was damaged during the incident. I am extremely fortunate that no one else was injured. I also did not sustain any major injuries, although my left knee is currently aching because my seat slid completely forward during the sudden acceleration. The vehicle is currently at a towing facility. Immediately following the incident, I was extremely shaken and was not in a condition to take the vehicle to a Honda dealership or independent mechanic. As of the time of this report, the vehicle has not been inspected by a Honda dealership, mechanic, or independent service center, so the cause of the incident has not yet been determined. Prior to the incident, the vehicle had been operating normally. There were no warning lights or other warnings displayed on the dashboard, and there was no indication of a problem with the vehicle before the incident. The vehicle appeared to be functioning normally as it had on previous days. I am reporting this incident because of the serious safety concern involving the sudden acceleration and apparent loss of braking effectiveness. I believe it is important for NHTSA to have a record of this incident, particularly because the consequences could have been fatal if the parking garage barrier had not stopped the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11766226

Incident

Sep 22, 2026

Driver hit curb going 7 mph. No one was in the passenger seat. Both passenger airbags deployed.

NHTSA ID

11763316

Incident

Aug 30, 2026

Defective front-facing camera located above the rear view mirror, used by several car safety systems, fails intermittently causing the dashboard to emit persistent visual and audio warnings. This is a 2019 HRV-EX with approx. 60,000 miles. It happens most frequently when the car interior is hot. The cacophony is so overwhelming that it distracts from being able to safely operate the vehicle. Honda dealer from whom the car was purchased estimated over $2000 to fix the issue. This is a common issue with several Honda models and there is a class action suit filed in US District Court, Central District of CA. Honda should acknowledge there's a design defect in the camera system and offer to repair it at its own expense.

NHTSA ID

11762842

Incident

Aug 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to operate as needed on several occasions. The contact stated that occasionally there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer confirmed the failure, and the alternator was replaced twice to correct the warning light issue; however, the warning lights returned 20 minutes later. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer and independent mechanics were unable to determine the cause of the failure.

NHTSA ID

11762223

Incident

Sep 4, 2026

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. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed with cylinder head, head gaskets, and gasket kit failures. In addition, the contact was informed that the coolant needed to be drained, and the oil level needed to be checked. The contact was informed that the head gaskets, gasket kit, and cylinder head needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure. The contact filed a case and requested to be reimbursed for the cost of the repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 95,859.

NHTSA ID

11761334

Incident

May 5, 2026

Mileage

95,859 mi

The Multipurpose Camera Unit/Millimeter Wave Radar Internal Electronic system has failed (confirmed by Honda service center). When I start my car, I now get several warnings that multiple systems are out, including but not limited to the automatic emergency breaking, forward collision warning, and many other safety features. Upon searching the web, it seems this is a common issue in many Honda vehicles starting in 2018. With this feature no longer working, I have no back up safety mechanisms, which is one of the main reasons I bought this car.

NHTSA ID

11761176

Incident

Aug 23, 2026

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. On XXX, I had the fuel pump replaced at Firestone Complete Auto Care because the recall repair had not been performed on my vehicle. The fuel pump cost $969.77, and the total repair cost was approximately $1,200 including labor. I subsequently submitted a reimbursement claim to Honda because the recall repair had already been completed at my expense. Honda denied my reimbursement claim, stating that, based on its records, my vehicle had already been repaired. This is incorrect. I did not have the recalled fuel-pump repair performed by Honda or a Honda dealer before the XXX Firestone repair. Honda has also confirmed that, based on the information available for my VIN, my vehicle is associated with a fuel-pump motor recall. I am concerned that Honda’s recall records incorrectly indicate that the recall remedy was previously performed on my vehicle when it was not. I am requesting that NHTSA review this matter and determine whether Honda’s recall records for my VIN are inaccurate and whether this may be affecting my ability to receive the recall remedy or reimbursement for a repair that I had to pay for myself. I can provide the Firestone invoice, proof of payment, Honda’s reimbursement denial, and correspondence regarding the recall upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11761159

Incident

Aug 12, 2026

The vehicle dash cluster flickers and goes completely out. When this happens you can not see the mileage or how much fuel you have. This is a known problem and even my local dealer has seen a few and Honda will not stand behind the problem. The dealership wants over two thousand dollars to replace the cluster and they charge me $80 to look at it once when it wasn’t flickering so they couldn’t make a report, but they have seen it messed up and have a claim number with Honda but they say vehicle is too old and 80,000 miles so they will not fix this safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11760221

Incident

Aug 7, 2025

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 check engine light may be displayed with DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail Pressure Too Low) stored, the engine may not start, or the engine could stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Replace the fuel pump motor.