2020 Honda HR-V Engine Problems

While stopped at a traffic signal, the vehicle failed to restart when the light turned green. On another occasion, the vehicle stalled during operation and would not start. The engine would crank but there was no ignition. This created a safety risk because the vehicle was disabled in traffic and unable to move out of the roadway, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision or other crash. The vehicle was towed to a dealership for inspection. The dealer diagnosed a failed Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The diagnosis indicated no spark and that the ignition coils were not receiving signal, although the crank sensor signal was present. The PCM was replaced, and the vehicle started and operated normally after replacement. No additional wiring, fuse, or grounding issues were identified. There were no prior warning lights, dashboard messages, or drivability symptoms before the failure occurred. The failure happened unexpectedly at approximately 52,889 miles. The replaced PCM is available through the servicing dealership if inspection is requested.

NHTSA ID

11721088

Incident

Feb 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH or faster, and while driving uphill, the vehicle suddenly stalled. During the first failure, the message “Emergency – Stop Driving Vehicle” was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was turned off and restarted, and the message was no longer displayed. The vehicle was then driven to the residence. The vehicle had stalled three times on three separate occasions. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

NHTSA ID

11717473

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

Mileage

37,000 mi

The HRV is available for inspection upon request. It was taken to local Honda dealer for inspection based on the below: December 2025 - Highway driving slightly over speed limit posting 70mph when a majority of the lights on the dashboard came on (transmission, abs brake, awd, engine light, almost all lights) and the car immediately lost speed power and had to emergently pull over into safe lane off the highway. RPM revved irradically up to 6000. Tried to accelerate but it would sputter forward and did not want to shift transmission gears. Honda dealer has inspected the care and state that it needs transmission. The tech looked at it and did a magnet test which was positive information for him to tell me that it needed a transmission and AC belt. There is already a safety bulletin on this issue issued in 2021 covering all HRV models 2016-2000. The car has 112k and is 2020. It fits within the guidelines of the bulletin issued by Honda acknowledging that there is an issue with parts and manufacturing. It is bulletin #21-047: [XXX] Honda has stated my vin does not qualify. Online forums discuss that other people have the same problem in which honda corporate has told them the same thing. No notable warning signs. My safety was challenged and at risk when this happened without any warning at all. I was driving in high speed left lane and could have caused a severe accident with the immediate drop of speed by the car automatically. I have always taken great care of Honda cars that I have owned and this should have never happened. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11711268

Incident

Dec 21, 2025

As I was driving, the car slowed down and wouldn’t go past 20mph. It also lost power to the radio more than a few times and I just purchased the vehicle on 06/26/25.

NHTSA ID

11678860

Incident

Jun 28, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. On one occasion while approaching a light at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact mentioned that the husband completed cosmetic repairs. No injuries were reported. No police report was filed. The vehicle would restart each time within 2-30 minutes. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent half a dozen times and the failure was not able to be replicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

NHTSA ID

11638814

Incident

Feb 1, 2024

Mileage

45,000 mi

One of the many times my car would not start. I was trying to leave work and my Honda HR-V would not start. [XXX] at [XXX] - I got in my car to drive to work, and it gave a stuttering sound. I contacted Honda on November 18th 2024 about the recall and was told my name would be put on a list and I’d be contacted when the part became available. My mother went into the Dover, Delaware Honda location today, [XXX], to inquire about an ETA on the recalled part and she was told that the recalled part “Was not being released”. She was also told, by the Assistant Service Manager that he waited 8 months for this recalled part to be fixed on his vehicle. He could not give me an estimated time on when they’d receive the part, but my car is definitely affected by the recalled part (stalling and my car not being able to start are some of the issues affected by this faulty part) and I don’t want to risk my life in an accident, simply trying to get to work, while waiting for a part that Honda may not have available for 6-8 months. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11628380

Incident

Nov 26, 2024

while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The oil and battery warning lights illuminated. After shutting the vehicle off and turning it over 3 times, the vehicle's engine restarted. 2020 Honda HR-V Touring with 16,900 miles. Manufactured on 1/'20

NHTSA ID

11596244

Incident

Jun 24, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The oil and battery warning lights illuminated. After waiting ten minutes, the vehicle restarted. The contact stated that occasionally the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact called the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11589613

Incident

Apr 22, 2024

Mileage

80,000 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Honda HR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11573318

Incident

Dec 31, 2023

Mileage

30,000 mi

This vehicle has some serious acceleration problems. Not only has this vehicle gone into limp mode on me on a very busy city road when it was only a couple of weeks old, but it also takes FOREVER for it to accelerate when pulling into traffic or while going up a hill. I have to press the gas pedal all the way down to the floor and still get nothing until I let up and press the gas again. I have had problems where the car will "spudder" and almost die as I'm exiting the highway coming to a stop and today it actually did completely die as I exited the highway and came to a stop at a red light. No check engine light or anything.

NHTSA ID

11556508

Incident

Nov 22, 2023