Which Honda HR-V years should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2019, 2023, and 2024 as the years to avoid, with Complaint Index scores of 78, 100, and 89 respectively, compared relative to other HR-V model years.

What is the best Honda HR-V year to buy?

2017, 2020, and 2021 are rated Best, with 2021 posting a Complaint Index of 0, the lowest of all 10 model years covered.

What is the most common problem with the Honda HR-V?

Across all 1,823 complaints and 10 model years, Visibility & Wipers issues are the top problem area at 23% of complaints, followed by Electrical System issues at 18%.

Does the 2023 Honda HR-V have a steering recall?

Yes. Recall campaign 24V744000 covers 2023-2025 HR-V models for a worm gear spring and grease issue in the steering system.

How many total complaints does the Honda HR-V have?

NHTSA lists 1,823 total complaints and 13 recall campaigns across the 2016-2025 Honda HR-V model years.

Honda HR-V Best and Worst Years (2016–2025)

Avoid the 2019, 2023, and 2024 Honda HR-V, which carry Complaint Index scores of 78, 100, and 89 versus a best-year score of 0 for 2021. The 2023 model year alone accounts for 686 of the 1,823 total complaints, driven mostly by visibility and wiper problems.

Avoid 2019 Avoid 2023 Avoid 2024 Best 2017 Best 2020 Best 2021

Model years: 10; 2016–2025
NHTSA complaints: 1,823
Recall campaigns: 13
Crashes reported: 96
Fires reported: 6
Top problem area: Visibility & Wipers

HR-V Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Honda HR-V problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2016	Caution	67	239	13	1	2	Transmission & Powertrain	29	5★
2017	Best	22	122	13	0	0	Transmission & Powertrain	29	5★
2018	Good	33	156	11	0	3	Electrical System	29	5★
2019	Avoid	78	235	19	1	7	Electrical System	29.5	5★
2020	Best	11	83	8	2	5	Fuel System	29.5	5★
2021	Best	0	63	5	0	4	Airbags	29.5	5★
2022	Caution	56	88	10	1	3	Engine	29.5	5★
2023	Avoid	100	686	7	0	3	Visibility & Wipers	27.5	5★
2024	Avoid	89	108	8	1	4	Steering	27.5	5★
2025	Good	44	43	2	0	1	Steering	27.5	5★

HR-V years to avoid: what went wrong

2023 Honda HR-V Index 100 · 686 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2023 HR-V ranks worst overall with a Complaint Index of 100 and 686 complaints, the highest of any model year. Visibility & Wipers problems dominate at 54% of complaints (median mileage 13,000), with owners reporting wiper and window issues. Steering complaints follow at 11% (median mileage 23,000), including reports of the steering wheel locking during turns. Three recalls apply to this year, covering steering worm gear grease, fuel pump modules, and seat belt pretensioner rivets that may be missing.

2023 visibility & wipers problems →2023 steering problems →2023 structure & body problems →

2024 Honda HR-V Index 89 · 108 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2024 HR-V carries a Complaint Index of 89 with 108 complaints and 4 recalls. Steering issues lead at 47% of complaints with a median mileage of only 9,608, including reports of steering wheels seizing or axles bending after minor impacts. Electrical System, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, and Visibility & Wipers each account for 12% of complaints. Two separate recalls address a driver's seat cushion frame that may not have been tightened properly, along with the steering worm gear recall shared with the 2023 model.

2024 steering problems →

2019 Honda HR-V Index 78 · 235 complaints · 7 recalls

The 2019 HR-V has a Complaint Index of 78 and 235 complaints, with 7 recalls. Electrical System issues make up 29% of its complaints (median mileage 42,000), followed by Fuel System problems at 28% (median mileage 28,000) and Collision Avoidance & Camera failures at 16% (median mileage 32,000). Owners describe rearview camera displays failing to show, airbags not deploying in crashes, and fuel pump concerns tied to a recall covering multiple Honda models. Engine complaints, though smaller in share at 11%, showed up at a much lower median mileage of 9,138.5, suggesting some early failures.

2019 electrical system problems →2019 fuel system problems →2019 collision avoidance & cameras problems →

Most common Honda HR-V problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Visibility & Wipers413 (23%)
Other409 (22%)
Electrical System321 (18%)
Transmission & Powertrain177 (10%)
Steering173 (9%)
Engine163 (9%)
Fuel System161 (9%)
Brakes125 (7%)
Structure & Body124 (7%)
Collision Avoidance & Cameras95 (5%)

Frequently asked questions

Which Honda HR-V years should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2019, 2023, and 2024 as the years to avoid, with Complaint Index scores of 78, 100, and 89 respectively, compared relative to other HR-V model years.
What is the best Honda HR-V year to buy?: 2017, 2020, and 2021 are rated Best, with 2021 posting a Complaint Index of 0, the lowest of all 10 model years covered.
What is the most common problem with the Honda HR-V?: Across all 1,823 complaints and 10 model years, Visibility & Wipers issues are the top problem area at 23% of complaints, followed by Electrical System issues at 18%.
Does the 2023 Honda HR-V have a steering recall?: Yes. Recall campaign 24V744000 covers 2023-2025 HR-V models for a worm gear spring and grease issue in the steering system.
How many total complaints does the Honda HR-V have?: NHTSA lists 1,823 total complaints and 13 recall campaigns across the 2016-2025 Honda HR-V model years.