CSR
Check a VIN

Look up

About

Honda · NHTSA safety record

2018 Honda HR-V

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 157 safety complaints about the 2018 Honda HR-V with the US government. Of those, 11 describe a crash, 5 people were injured and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the gasoline fuel system and the hydraulic brakes.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 48 complaints, 31% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 24,000 miles, the median across the 49 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers March 2018 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

157 complaints on file

157

Complaints

11

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

5

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 48 · 31%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 27 · 17%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 22 · 14%
POWER TRAIN 15 · 10%
SERVICE BRAKES 15 · 10%
ENGINE 13 · 8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 13 · 8%
STRUCTURE 11 · 7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10 · 6%
AIR BAGS 7 · 4%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 7 · 4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 3 · 2%
0 19 38

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 157.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 37.

40 30 20 10
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2018 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2018 Honda HR-V, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 13.5% 15.3%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

23V858000 · December 18, 2023

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 2,490,460 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

20V314000 · May 28, 2020

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura NSX, 2019 Acura RDX, RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R and HR-V, 2019-2020 Insight and 2019 Fit vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 22, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 135,995 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

18V777000 · November 1, 2018

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
The risk
A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 64,785 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Rear Differential Seizure

PE22011

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened November 28, 2022 · closed July 22, 2024

the power train

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.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 15 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA HR-V. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES FROM THE SEAT BELT, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS RULED OUT AS A COMPLETE LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15. *TT UPDATED 10/15/18*JB

NHTSA complaint 11123852. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

I TRIED TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME

NHTSA complaint 11413256. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

A 27 mph head on collision. Drivers side door does not open. Approximately 6,500.00 worth of damage. Not 1 airbag deployed. Driver was wearing seat belt. The car is approx. 4 yrs old. well maintained. Inspected not long before the accident. I am very concerned at 27mph head on collision the air bags do not deploy, At what speed will they?? Or will they deploy at all? The HR-V has a 5 star rating. I will not even give my honda a 1/2 star at this point

NHTSA complaint 11466633. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

On March 11, 2025 I took my car to Gardena Honda for a fuel pump recall for my 2018 Honda HR-v ex. On September 17, 2025 I had a system malfunction where the doors were locking and unlocking the dashboard went black and a car symbol with doors opened appear on the dash, the car shut off and I tried to brake but they did not work, I hit a car in front of me and when the airbags did not deploy I hit my mouth on the steering wheel and knock out 3 of 4 teeth that I had work done on. A scan tool was put on my vehicle when I got it home and there was two codes showing B00D5 occupant classification sensor fault and U0416 invalid data received from vehicle dynamic control module. I came to this

NHTSA complaint 11701628, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint 11766854. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
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 complaint 11760743. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint 11758802. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
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

NHTSA complaint 11757340, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
SRS / airbag light permanently remain on which indicates a fault with the system. Technician said it’s most likely due to a faulty sensor in the passenger seat.

NHTSA complaint 11756868. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY/WIPER
The rear glass/rear windshield of my parked car unexpectedly broke after using the rear defrost on XXX I am concerned about a possible defect involving the rear glass and/or rear defroster. Curry Honda, a Honda-authorized dealer, inspected the vehicle and confirmed the glass failure, but the underlying cause was never determined. Curry Honda’s written documentation recommended replacing the rear glass and specifically stated that the rear defroster function should be checked. However, Sarah at Curry Honda later told me that the rear defroster would NOT be tested. I have an audio recording of that conversation. This is the primary reason for my complaint: I specifically wanted the rear

NHTSA complaint 11755924, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Honda HR-V

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 45 1 —
2024 109 4 —
2023 686 3 —
2022 88 3 —
2021 63 4 —
2020 84 5 —
2019 235 7 —
2017 123 0 —
2016 239 2 —

Other 2018 Honda models

CR-V 2,148 Accord 1,883 Odyssey 992 Civic 742 Pilot 440 Ridgeline 161 Clarity Plug-IN Hybrid 135 FIT 117

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Honda on this site — 192 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst