Honda HR-V: best & worst years

No Honda HR-V model year rates as one to avoid in CarVitals data. The strongest years are 2020, 2021, and 2022. Below is every year (2016–2024) ranked best to worst, with the owner-reported problems behind each verdict.

Every Honda HR-V year, ranked

YearVerdictScoreTop owner-reported problems
2022 Recommended 7 CVT/automatic transmission can drop into limp mode with loss of power, jerking or refusal to accelerate (fault code P271E often calling for transmission replacement); reported across the first generation.; Instrument-cluster and fuel-gauge flickering or going dark (odometer, trip and fuel display), worst in cold temperatures, traced to a bad cluster connection.; Assorted electrical failures including ABS modulator faults and keyless-access control-module failures, sometimes leaving the vehicle unable to start. Full report ↗
2021 Recommended 7 CVT/automatic transmission can drop into limp mode with loss of power, jerking or refusal to accelerate (fault code P271E often calling for transmission replacement); reported across the first generation.; Instrument-cluster and fuel-gauge flickering or going dark (odometer, trip and fuel display), worst in cold temperatures, traced to a bad cluster connection.; Assorted electrical failures including ABS modulator faults and keyless-access control-module failures, sometimes leaving the vehicle unable to start. Full report ↗
2020 Recommended 7 CVT/automatic transmission can drop into limp mode with loss of power, jerking or refusal to accelerate (fault code P271E often calling for transmission replacement); reported across the first generation.; Instrument-cluster and fuel-gauge flickering or going dark (odometer, trip and fuel display), worst in cold temperatures, traced to a bad cluster connection.; Assorted electrical failures including ABS modulator faults and keyless-access control-module failures, sometimes leaving the vehicle unable to start. Full report ↗
2019 Caution 6 CVT/automatic transmission can drop into limp mode with loss of power, jerking or refusal to accelerate (fault code P271E often calling for transmission replacement); reported across the first generation.; Instrument-cluster and fuel-gauge flickering or going dark (odometer, trip and fuel display), worst in cold temperatures, traced to a bad cluster connection.; Assorted electrical failures including ABS modulator faults and keyless-access control-module failures, sometimes leaving the vehicle unable to start. Full report ↗
2018 Caution 6 CVT/automatic transmission can drop into limp mode with loss of power, jerking or refusal to accelerate (fault code P271E often calling for transmission replacement); reported across the first generation.; Instrument-cluster and fuel-gauge flickering or going dark (odometer, trip and fuel display), worst in cold temperatures, traced to a bad cluster connection.; Assorted electrical failures including ABS modulator faults and keyless-access control-module failures, sometimes leaving the vehicle unable to start. Full report ↗
2017 Caution 6 CVT/automatic transmission can drop into limp mode with loss of power, jerking or refusal to accelerate (fault code P271E often calling for transmission replacement); reported across the first generation.; Instrument-cluster and fuel-gauge flickering or going dark (odometer, trip and fuel display), worst in cold temperatures, traced to a bad cluster connection.; Assorted electrical failures including ABS modulator faults and keyless-access control-module failures, sometimes leaving the vehicle unable to start. Full report ↗
2024 Caution 5 Rear window/back glass can spontaneously shatter with a loud pop while parked or driving, with no impact; by far the dominant complaint on the 2023 launch year.; Steering feels sticky, notchy or hard to turn, and the wheels/alignment will not stay set despite repeated dealer realignments. Full report ↗
2016 Caution 5 CVT/automatic transmission can drop into limp mode with loss of power, jerking or refusal to accelerate (fault code P271E often calling for transmission replacement); reported across the first generation.; Instrument-cluster and fuel-gauge flickering or going dark (odometer, trip and fuel display), worst in cold temperatures, traced to a bad cluster connection.; Assorted electrical failures including ABS modulator faults and keyless-access control-module failures, sometimes leaving the vehicle unable to start. Full report ↗
2023 Caution 4 Rear window/back glass can spontaneously shatter with a loud pop while parked or driving, with no impact; by far the dominant complaint on the 2023 launch year.; Steering feels sticky, notchy or hard to turn, and the wheels/alignment will not stay set despite repeated dealer realignments. Full report ↗

Honda HR-V problems by year

2024 Honda HR-V Caution

Improved second-generation HR-V: refined, roomy and well-equipped with standard Honda Sensing, but steering/alignment complaints persist and it remains noticeably underpowered. Fewer glass-shattering reports than 2023.

  • Rear window/back glass can spontaneously shatter with a loud pop while parked or driving, with no impact; by far the dominant complaint on the 2023 launch year.
  • Steering feels sticky, notchy or hard to turn, and the wheels/alignment will not stay set despite repeated dealer realignments.

2023 Honda HR-V Caution

All-new Civic-based redesign drives and rides far better, but the launch year drew by far the most complaints: spontaneous rear-window/glass shattering and sticky, notchy steering, on top of an underpowered engine. Inspect the glass and steering, or consider 2024.

  • Rear window/back glass can spontaneously shatter with a loud pop while parked or driving, with no impact; by far the dominant complaint on the 2023 launch year.
  • Steering feels sticky, notchy or hard to turn, and the wheels/alignment will not stay set despite repeated dealer realignments.

2022 Honda HR-V Recommended

Final gen-1 model year: refined, dependable and frugal with class-leading cargo flexibility. Only isolated stalling reports; one of the better used subcompact-SUV values.

  • CVT/automatic transmission can drop into limp mode with loss of power, jerking or refusal to accelerate (fault code P271E often calling for transmission replacement); reported across the first generation.
  • Instrument-cluster and fuel-gauge flickering or going dark (odometer, trip and fuel display), worst in cold temperatures, traced to a bad cluster connection.
  • Assorted electrical failures including ABS modulator faults and keyless-access control-module failures, sometimes leaving the vehicle unable to start.

2021 Honda HR-V Recommended

Well-sorted final-stretch gen-1 HR-V: very low complaint volume, strong reliability and resale, and the versatile Magic Seat. A safe, economical used buy if you can live with modest power.

  • CVT/automatic transmission can drop into limp mode with loss of power, jerking or refusal to accelerate (fault code P271E often calling for transmission replacement); reported across the first generation.
  • Instrument-cluster and fuel-gauge flickering or going dark (odometer, trip and fuel display), worst in cold temperatures, traced to a bad cluster connection.
  • Assorted electrical failures including ABS modulator faults and keyless-access control-module failures, sometimes leaving the vehicle unable to start.

2020 Honda HR-V Recommended

Mature first-generation HR-V with Honda Sensing standard, low complaint volume and excellent reliability, resale and running costs. Slow to accelerate but genuinely dependable and practical.

  • CVT/automatic transmission can drop into limp mode with loss of power, jerking or refusal to accelerate (fault code P271E often calling for transmission replacement); reported across the first generation.
  • Instrument-cluster and fuel-gauge flickering or going dark (odometer, trip and fuel display), worst in cold temperatures, traced to a bad cluster connection.
  • Assorted electrical failures including ABS modulator faults and keyless-access control-module failures, sometimes leaving the vehicle unable to start.

2019 Honda HR-V Caution

Refreshed look, added Sport trim and wider Honda Sensing availability. Sound and economical, but 2019 is the gen-1 high-water mark for electrical/instrument-cluster and fuel-gauge complaints; otherwise a solid used pick.

  • CVT/automatic transmission can drop into limp mode with loss of power, jerking or refusal to accelerate (fault code P271E often calling for transmission replacement); reported across the first generation.
  • Instrument-cluster and fuel-gauge flickering or going dark (odometer, trip and fuel display), worst in cold temperatures, traced to a bad cluster connection.
  • Assorted electrical failures including ABS modulator faults and keyless-access control-module failures, sometimes leaving the vehicle unable to start.

2018 Honda HR-V Caution

Mid-cycle improvements (Display Audio gains a volume knob); dependable Honda subcompact with strong resale, though instrument-cluster/fuel-gauge flicker is reported and the powertrain stays underpowered.

  • CVT/automatic transmission can drop into limp mode with loss of power, jerking or refusal to accelerate (fault code P271E often calling for transmission replacement); reported across the first generation.
  • Instrument-cluster and fuel-gauge flickering or going dark (odometer, trip and fuel display), worst in cold temperatures, traced to a bad cluster connection.
  • Assorted electrical failures including ABS modulator faults and keyless-access control-module failures, sometimes leaving the vehicle unable to start.

2017 Honda HR-V Caution

Reliable, practical and economical, but still slow and saddled with dated infotainment (no volume knob) and no Honda Sensing. Fewer complaints than 2016; verify the CVT and dash-cluster behaviour.

  • CVT/automatic transmission can drop into limp mode with loss of power, jerking or refusal to accelerate (fault code P271E often calling for transmission replacement); reported across the first generation.
  • Instrument-cluster and fuel-gauge flickering or going dark (odometer, trip and fuel display), worst in cold temperatures, traced to a bad cluster connection.
  • Assorted electrical failures including ABS modulator faults and keyless-access control-module failures, sometimes leaving the vehicle unable to start.

2016 Honda HR-V Caution

First-year HR-V: class-leading Magic-Seat practicality and Honda economy, but the 1.8L/CVT is among the slowest in class and 2016 drew the most complaints (early CVT limp-mode plus electrical/fuel-gauge faults). Buy with service records and a transmission check.

  • CVT/automatic transmission can drop into limp mode with loss of power, jerking or refusal to accelerate (fault code P271E often calling for transmission replacement); reported across the first generation.
  • Instrument-cluster and fuel-gauge flickering or going dark (odometer, trip and fuel display), worst in cold temperatures, traced to a bad cluster connection.
  • Assorted electrical failures including ABS modulator faults and keyless-access control-module failures, sometimes leaving the vehicle unable to start.

Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Honda models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.