2020 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.

My daughter's 2020 Honda HR-V experienced a serious transmission malfunction at approximately 117,000 miles. While traveling approximately 64 mph on Highway 378 in South Carolina, where the posted speed limit is 60 mph, the vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating, and ALL dashboard warning lights illuminated. This unexpected loss of acceleration at highway speed created a dangerous situation, placing her safety and the safety of surrounding motorists at risk of a serious collision. The vehicle was subsequently towed to an authorized Honda dealership. The dealership confirmed diagnostic trouble code P0793 (Intermediate Shaft Speed Sensor "A"). During inspection, the technician drained the transmission fluid through a filter and discovered metal flakes. Additional metallic material was detected using a magnet, indicating internal transmission damage. The dealership determined that the entire transmission required replacement at an estimated cost of $7,942.57. Honda previously acknowledged premature CVT belt deterioration affecting certain 2016–2020 Honda HR-V vehicles through Service Bulletins 21-046 and 21-047. However, Honda advised that my daughter's VIN was excluded from the extended warranty coverage. Honda subsequently denied goodwill assistance, citing the vehicle's age, mileage, and an asserted absence of similar complaints. I am concerned that this sudden loss of acceleration may be related to premature CVT deterioration previously documented by Honda. I request that NHTSA investigate whether this failure is related to a known transmission defect and whether other 2020 Honda HR-V owners face similar safety risks. The dealership's diagnostic findings and repair estimate are available. Availability of the failed transmission for inspection must be confirmed with the dealership.

NHTSA ID

11776639

Incident

Oct 27, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The lights on the instrument panel were illuminated during the failure. There was a beeping sound during the failure. The vehicle failed to accelerate but the driver was able to move over to the shoulder. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, who confirmed the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in Technical Service Bulletin: 21-046. The transmission belt had deteriorated. The Honda manufacturer was contacted by phone and confirmed there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle. The contact was concerned that other vehicles were being repaired but the vehicle was excluded because of the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11775980

Incident

Nov 3, 2026

Mileage

115,000 mi

Honda HR-V uses a battery current and voltage sensor (part of the Battery Management System) attached to the negative battery terminal to monitor electrical flow and optimize fuel efficiency. It helps determine alternator output. If the voltage sensor degrades or fails, the vehicle's electrical system voltage may be too low to operate the electric power steering. If this happens, the steering wheel suddenly becomes very difficult to turn. It may result in loss of control of the vehicle. Luckily this happened at low speed. There are no codes or warning lights. Repair shops have been unable to diagnose it correctly and want to replace unrelated parts. A Honda dealer refused to look at it because they did not believe the driver's claim of an issue.

NHTSA ID

11774558

Incident

Oct 15, 2026

The CVT is defective and failed while driving, causing immediate loss of motive power. This has been diagnosed and confirmed by the dealer. Honda has a voluntary extended warranty in place for this exact issue for certain VIN's, but because this particular VIN was assembled at a location where less VIN's were assembled with the faulty CTV it is not covered. This should be a mandatory safety recall as losing motive power while driving can easily cause an accident. There were no warning signs, just a loud sound and immediate loss of motive power while driving. For us this happened in a busy intersection, but could easily have happened on the highway causing a serious safety hazard. Honda is not denying that the CVT is defective, but this particular VIN is not covered in the extended warranty due to the location the vehicle was assembled.

NHTSA ID

11772416

Incident

Sep 21, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle, there was abnormal white smoke inside the cabin of the vehicle, and the contact stated that a white cakey substance was in the smoke, which the contact inhaled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact was concerned that the air bag might deploy unintendedly. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000.

NHTSA ID

11767528

Incident

Sep 1, 2026

Mileage

53,000 mi

While on the highway vehicles warning light illuminated and the vehicle immediately slowed down and would not go over 20 miles per hour. Prior to the warning lights illuminating there were no warning lights already illuminated and no drivability issues. You could hear a griding noise when driving at low speeds and the vehicle would not go above 20 miles per hour. Ended up pulling over and towing the vehicle to the dealership. The dealership mentioned after diagnosis the transmission internally failed and needed to be replaced. They did find metal debris from the transmission belt when draining the fluid and found the fluid to be clean. Found the TSB - Warranty extension from NHSTA website showing all 2016-2020 model year Honda HR-V's with 2WD and AWD included in this warranty extension but when reaching out to Honda Customer Service they denied the warranty extension and called it a goodwill denial and were careful to not mention the warranty extension submitted to NHTSA. The cost would be over $10,000 to replace the transmission with a remanufactured one quote by the dealership. The TSB - Warranty Extension number is 21-047.

NHTSA ID

11758260

Incident

Jul 22, 2026

AMENDMENT TO SAFETY COMPLAINT: FAILURE OF RECALL REMEDY / USE OF LEGACY PART Vehicle: 2020 Honda HR-V NHTSA Recall Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Low-Pressure Fuel Pump) [The 2020 Honda HR-V is under an active, massive federal safety recall for low-pressure fuel pump failure.] Chronological Safety History: •January 2025: Mandatory fuel pump safety recall performed at an authorized Honda franchise. •September 2025: Catastrophic engine stall occurred at highway speeds. •June 12, 2026: Second catastrophic engine stall occurred at highway speeds. Critical Update: Following these severe stalling events, I presented the vehicle to franchised dealer Zeigler Honda. The dealership service department engaged in fraudulent diagnostic practices to evade liability. They falsely claimed the stalling was due to "bad gas," refused to perform a secondary repair, and released a hazardous vehicle back onto public roads. Due to the immediate threat to public safety, I brought the vehicle to a certified independent mechanic. Upon replacement of the system, a component breakdown revealed that the recall part installed in January 2025 was actually an identical, low-density defective legacy component subject to the original recall. The independent mechanic's invoice factually confirms a total mechanical failure of this fuel pump component [The 2020 Honda HR-V is under an active, massive federal safety recall for low-pressure fuel pump failure.]. The system breakdown confirms the plastic impeller deformed and jammed, completely disproving Zeigler Honda's fabricated "bad gas" diagnosis [Honda’s official recall documentation states that the low-pressure fuel pump fails because the plastic impeller absorbs fuel, deforms, and jams against the pump housing, causing the vehicle to stall.]. Regulatory Request: I request that the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) audit this dealership immediately. Zeigler Honda is actively falsifying safety diagnoses to cover up the defective fuel pump

NHTSA ID

11755834

Incident

Jun 12, 2026

LKAS lights all came on and ACC warnings. Brake system and auto high beams. Mechanic seems to think it’s the camera, car only has 84,000 miles on it and very well taken care of. This seems to be a big common issue with a lot of HRVs and it’s expensive to fix.

NHTSA ID

11754823

Incident

Jul 22, 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)

Servicenews article - If you are inspecting an HR-V and notice oil residue on the A/C condenser, it's not always an indication that the condenser is leaking refrigerant. The source of oil residue can potentially come from other components.

Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2021 HR-V that exhibits a leak at the A/C Condenser. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.