2019 Honda HR-V Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2019 Honda HR-V has a complaint index of 78, ranked 3rd worst of 10 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. It has 235 complaints, 7 recalls, and top problem areas in electrical system and fuel system components.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 78/100
- #3 of 10 HR-V years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 235
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 19
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29.5
- 27.5 city / 32.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2019 Honda HR-V problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System67 (29%)
- Fuel System65 (28%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras37 (16%)
- Other37 (16%)
- Engine26 (11%)
- Brakes19 (8%)
- Lane Departure18 (8%)
- Structure & Body15 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (6%)
- Airbags12 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe the vehicle lurching or accelerating forward on its own while parking at low speed, sometimes at very low mileage.
- Some drivers report the brake hold feature releasing with excessive acceleration instead of a gentle release, leading to rear-end collisions.
- Several complaints describe airbags failing to deploy during front, side, or rear-end collisions, including one that involved a documented injury.
- Owners report brakes not slowing the vehicle as expected during sudden stops, contributing to crashes.
- One driver reported an airbag sensor wire coming loose and failing to record the crash after impact.
2019 Honda HR-V recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V332000May 21, 2026Airbags98,892 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
- NHTSA 24V384000May 31, 2024Collision Avoidance & Cameras114,686 vehicles
Back over prevention:software
Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Fit and 2019-2022 HR-V vehicles that were previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 23V-046. The rearview camera image may not display when the engine is started with a key, due to a design error in the audio display power circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the display audio unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are TIQ and DIR. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 23V-046 will need to have the new remedy completed.
- NHTSA 23V858000Dec 18, 2023Fuel System2,490,460 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
2019 Honda HR-V fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27.5 MPG
- Highway
- 32.5 MPG
- Combined
- 29.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other HR-V years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Honda HR-V a bad year?
- NHTSA data ranks the 2019 HR-V 3rd worst out of 10 model years, with a complaint index of 78 and 235 complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other HR-V years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Honda HR-V?
- Electrical system issues account for 29% of complaints and fuel system issues account for 28%, followed by collision avoidance and camera problems at 16%.
- Does the 2019 Honda HR-V have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns tied to the 2019 HR-V, covering airbags, rearview cameras, fuel pumps, and rear brake calipers.
- Are other Honda HR-V years better than 2019?
- Yes. The 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2025 model years all carry Best or Good verdicts with much lower complaint indexes, while 2023 and 2024 also carry Avoid verdicts.
- Did the 2019 HR-V have airbag problems?
- NHTSA complaints describe airbags failing to deploy in several crash reports, and a 2026 recall campaign covers seat weight sensors tied to airbag deployment across multiple Honda and Acura models including the HR-V.