2017 Honda HR-V Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 23, 2026

Excellent

Ranks 2nd of 9 HR-V years we score.

Owner complaints: 123; 3 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 14.4; 83,339 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.57×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 58; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 0
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2016 HR-V 2018 HR-V →

Should You Buy the 2017 Honda HR-V?

Yes. Our reliability score for the 2017 Honda HR-V is 80 out of 100, which rates Excellent. Owners reported about half as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 2nd of the 9 HR-V years we score.

The most reported problem is the CVT, mostly failure or loss of drive (34 of 123 complaints). Owners also complain about the instrument cluster and paint and rust. 58 of the 123 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has no recalls. Honda also offers three warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the transmission, paint and keyless start. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2016 scores 78 and the 2018 scores 79.

Before you buy, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 21-047 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Excellent reliability score of 80
About half the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No recalls

Cons

CVT: failure or loss of drive34 complaints
Instrument cluster: works on and off14 complaints
Paint and rust: paint peeling11 complaints

How the 2017 HR-V Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems58 complaints · average car: about 96	0.61×	−8
Everyday problems62 complaints · average car: about 135	0.46×	−3
Problems in the last two years21 complaints · average car: about 34	0.64×	−7
Recalls0 recalls · average car: about 5.6	0.28×	−2
Score		80

Each part shows two counts: this year's so far, and what an average car would have at the same age. For complaints, that average car was made in the same number as this one. “Vs average” compares the two counts, but in our scoring system we first add a little to both, so a few complaints cannot swing the result. That is why it is not simply one count divided by the other. The last two years count only complaints about five systems: the engine and fuel system, transmission, brakes, steering, and airbags and seat belts.

What Owners Report

We read all 123 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Honda HR-V, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 123.

CVT: failure or loss of drive
34 complaints (28%)
Failure or loss of drive, early wear and parts breaking or coming apart. 28 of these 34 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 95,000 miles.
Instrument cluster: works on and off
14 complaints (11%)
Problems that come and go and slow to light up. Median mileage when it started: about 76,000 miles.
Paint and rust: paint peeling
11 complaints (9%)
Paint peeling.
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
9 complaints (7%)
Water leaking in. Median mileage when it started: about 9,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
6 complaints (5%)
Sudden acceleration. All 6 describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 2,000 miles.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
5 complaints (4%)
No deployment in a crash. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash.
Brakes: loss of braking
5 complaints (4%)
Loss of braking and a hard pedal or less assist. 4 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking.
Engine: stalling
5 complaints (4%)
Stalling. All 5 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 71,000 miles.
Ignition or push-button start: works on and off
5 complaints (4%)
Problems that come and go and warning lights. 3 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. Median mileage when it started: about 48,000 miles.
Wiring, fuses or body control module failure
4 complaints (3%)
A failure.
Car not starting (cause not stated)
3 complaints (2%)
The car not starting and hard starting. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start.
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
3 complaints (2%)
Shattering or cracking. Median mileage when it started: about 21,000 miles.
Taillights or brake lights: water leaking in
3 complaints (2%)
Water leaking in and problems that come and go.
Windshield wipers: stopped working
3 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working and does not clear heavy rain. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often loss of visibility. Median mileage when it started: about 9,000 miles.
Uneven tire wear: pulling or wandering
2 complaints (2%)
Pulling or wandering.

Show 5 more problems

Door latches: not closing or latching
2 complaints (2%)
Not closing or latching and not opening or unlocking.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
A loss of power. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Door lock actuators: stopped working
2 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working and the system acting on its own.
Side or curtain airbags: deployment with no crash
2 complaints (2%)
Deployment with no crash and no deployment in a crash.
Steering: locking up
2 complaints (2%)
Locking up. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash.

Reported Once (29)

Show the 29 problems reported once

12V battery failure
A/C failure
A/C condenser: shattering or cracking
ABS: warning lights
EVAP system failure
Cabin odor or mold: a bad smell
Several warning lights at once
Engine failure: damage
Fuel diluting the engine oil
Engine sensors or computer failure
Forward collision warning: warning lights
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
Fuel pump: stalling
Fumes in cabin (cause not stated)
Ignition or power mode (won't shut off): not shutting off
Screen and audio: works on and off
Key fob: works on and off
Noise (cause not stated)
Accelerator pedal: sticking or stiffness
Electrical system (not specified) failure
Flywheel: parts breaking or coming apart
Leak under the car (fluid not stated) (cause not stated)
Liftgate drain: does not drain
Rear suspension: unusual noises
Oxygen sensor failure
Parking brake: not releasing
Power windows or regulator: works on and off
Stall (cause not stated)
Shifter or park: sticking or stiffness

How the 2017 Honda HR-V Compares With Other Years

The other HR-V years of the 1st generation, 2016 to 2022, and the year just after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2023	Caution	62	4.4×	67.6	3	Rear window glass: shattering or cracking
2022	Good	75	0.65×	7.1	3	CVT failure
2021	Excellent	84	0.31×	5.1	4	Instrument cluster: works on and off
2020	Good	74	0.61×	11.6	5	Instrument cluster: works on and off
2019	Good	76	0.59×	16.2	7	Instrument cluster: works on and off
2018	Good	79	0.53×	14.3	3	Instrument cluster: works on and off
2017 This year	Excellent	80	0.57×	14.4	0	CVT: failure or loss of drive
2016	Good	78	0.66×	19.1	2	CVT: failure or loss of drive

See every HR-V year

2017 Honda HR-V Warranty Extensions and Programs

Honda has three warranty extensions and one service campaign for the 2017 Honda HR-V, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the transmission, paint and keyless start. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which a Honda dealer can check.

Warranty extensionHonda 21-047
CVT replacement for early belt wear
The problem:
The CVT drive belt can wear out early. The car may make noise, turn on the check engine light or, in very rare cases, lose drive power.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the CVT and its torque converter for free.
Who qualifies:
Only HR-Vs with the CVT qualify. The 21-046 software update and CVT inspection must be done first. The CVT is replaced only if it fails that inspection. The VIN must show as eligible.
Coverage:
7 years or 150,000 miles from the original purchase date, whichever comes first.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionHonda 19-064
White Orchid Pearl or Bellanova White paint peeling
The problem:
The factory White Orchid Pearl paint, also called Bellanova White, can peel off. It can be too thin in places such as the roof and around the tailgate.
The fix:
A Honda dealer has a certified body shop repaint the peeling panels for free. Owners who paid for this repair before may be repaid.
Who qualifies:
Only White Orchid Pearl or Bellanova White cars qualify. Peeling must come from the factory paint, not bird droppings, sap or crashes. Honda must approve each repair first. Coverage passes to later owners. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
7 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionHonda 20-116
Keyless start system error, start/stop button
The problem:
The engine start/stop button can fail. The car may not start on the first press and the display shows a keyless start system error.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the engine start/stop switch for free. Owners who paid for this repair before may be repaid.
Who qualifies:
Only EX and EX-L trims qualify. The car must not start on the first press and must show the keyless start error. The switch is replaced only if it has failed. The VIN must show as eligible.
Coverage:
9 years or 125,000 miles from the original purchase date, whichever comes first.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Service campaignHonda 21-046
CVT belt software update and inspection
The problem:
A wrong value in the engine control software can put too much pressure on the CVT belt. The belt can then break, and the car may not move.
The fix:
A Honda dealer updates the software and inspects the CVT for free. If the CVT fails the inspection, it is replaced under program 21-047.
Who qualifies:
Only HR-Vs with the CVT qualify. The VIN must show as eligible. Honda dealers must repair affected new and used cars before selling them.
Coverage:
The software update and CVT inspection are free. No end date is given. Ask a Honda dealer for the exact terms.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2017 HR-V ratings on NHTSA.gov.

SUV FWD and SUV AWD

Overall5/5

Frontal crash4/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2017 HR-V, from three Honda warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Ask a Honda Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

21-047: CVT replacement for early belt wear
19-064: White Orchid Pearl or Bellanova White paint peeling
20-116: keyless start system error, start/stop button

On the Test Drive

Accelerate gently from a stop and again at 20 to 40 mph. Shudder, slipping or harsh shifts are warning signs. Ask for the transmission fluid records.
Test the screen, audio and phone connection for freezing or rebooting.
Check the paint and the underbody for rust or peeling clear coat.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

CVT
Instrument cluster
Paint and rust
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes and transmission fluid changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All HR-V Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.