2021 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.

The contact owns a 2021 Honda HR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted several times. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11756144

Incident

Aug 11, 2026

My cars had a clunking type noise coming from the front left of vehicle, sounds happens on both left and right turns, and sometimes the steering wheel STICKS. Making a knocking sound and sometimes feels difficult to turn the wheel. I had to have the steering gearbox assembly replaced at cost of over $3015 before taxes.

NHTSA ID

11741789

Incident

Apr 3, 2026

Air bag sensor light is always off even when nobody is sitting in the passenger seat. The sensor has been recalled once before however it’s still having the same issue even after being replaced.

NHTSA ID

11741323

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

CVT transmission failed and vehicle lost power while on Interstate I-88 65 MPH speed zone. f Momentum allowed me to reach an exit at which point I needed to push the vehicle by myself off the roadway. Vehicle mileage was slighlty over 60,000 miles and the $10,000 dollar repair was not covered by warranty. Dangerous and costly to consumers! Same CVT was recalled or warranty extended in earlier models.

NHTSA ID

11740048

Incident

Feb 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Honda HR-V. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that several appointments were scheduled, however the dealer canceled or rescheduled the appointments. The contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced any failure regarding the unrepaired recall repair.

NHTSA ID

11738853

Incident

May 19, 2026

Front Sensing Camera consistently deactivates, turning off safety features such as Lane Keep Assist, Emergency Braking, & Forward Collision Detection All of which fail despite no collision, & no tampering

NHTSA ID

11738573

Incident

May 15, 2026

On cold days the dashboard is showing a foreign language.

NHTSA ID

11733771

Incident

Jan 2, 2026

My husband and I were driving down the road on the way home from dinner in the rain when the car suddenly started braking very hard but very quickly. I thought at first that my husband had braked a little too hard all of a sudden, but he said he did not. Before he could tell me that though the dash started lighting up. Brake system failure, electronic parking brake failure, hill start assist problem, power-steering problem, and many others - pretty much every safety sensor that could come on. I then worried we would not be able to brake when needed, but luckily we made it home. As soon as we were able to this morning, my husband brought it to the Honda Service to be checked out. We have to heard from them yet other that $230 to diagnose the problem. We were very lucky there were not others close to us when it happened. This could have been a very serious wreck if we were in traffic or going an even higher speed on the interstate(which we had been doing earlier).

NHTSA ID

11732396

Incident

Apr 18, 2026

Service Bulletin - During engine start in cold conditions, a miscalculation in the PCM causes the air-fuel ratio to exceed DTC P2DE1 rich criteria.

Service Bulletin - During engine start in cold conditions, it is possible for air-fuel ratio to exceed DTC P2DE1 rich criteria.

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.

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

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2022 Accords and 2022 HR-V Sports with a customer complaint of a front damper noise. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

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.