2019 Honda HR-V Reliability Report

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

Good

Ranks 5th of 9 HR-V years we score.

Owner complaints: 236; 31 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 16.2; 126,576 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.59×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 57; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 7
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2018 HR-V 2020 HR-V →

Should You Buy the 2019 Honda HR-V?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2019 Honda HR-V is 76 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about half as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 5th of the 9 HR-V years we score.

The most reported problem is the instrument cluster, mostly works on and off (56 of 236 complaints). Owners also complain about the driver-assist camera and radar and dashboard warning lights. 57 of the 236 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 7 recalls. Honda also offers a warranty extension that may still apply, for a problem with the transmission. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2018 scores 79 and the 2020 scores 74.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, 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

Good reliability score of 76
About half the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Instrument cluster: works on and off56 complaints
Driver-assist camera and radar failure24 complaints
Several warning lights at once14 complaints

How the 2019 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 problems57 complaints · average car: about 124	0.47×	−7
Everyday problems148 complaints · average car: about 169	0.88×	−4
Problems in the last two years33 complaints · average car: about 65	0.52×	−6
Recalls7 recalls · average car: about 5.0	1.3×	−7
Score		76

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 236 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 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 236.

Instrument cluster: works on and off
56 complaints (24%)
Problems that come and go, a feature that stopped working and a failure. 1 of these 56 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 4 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 43,000 miles.
Driver-assist camera and radar failure
24 complaints (10%)
A failure, problems that come and go and warning lights. Median mileage when it started: about 47,000 miles.
Several warning lights at once
14 complaints (6%)
Warning lights. Median mileage when it started: about 49,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
14 complaints (6%)
Sudden acceleration and surging. 12 of these 14 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. In 4 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 5,000 miles.
CVT failure
12 complaints (5%)
A failure, early wear and weak engine braking in L gear. 8 of these 12 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 89,000 miles.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
12 complaints (5%)
A loss of power. 10 of these 12 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 11,000 miles.
Steering: sticking or stiffness
10 complaints (4%)
Sticking or stiffness, locking up and instability when turning and accelerating. 2 of these 10 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control. Median mileage when it started: about 29,000 miles.
Paint and rust: peeling
9 complaints (4%)
Peeling and rust or corrosion.
Car not starting (cause not stated)
8 complaints (3%)
The car not starting and hard starting. 4 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. Median mileage when it started: about 52,000 miles.
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
7 complaints (3%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead, a feature that stopped working and the system not working when needed. 4 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
6 complaints (3%)
No deployment in a crash, parts breaking or coming apart and deployment with no crash. 1 of these 6 complaints describes a serious outcome: an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 19,000 miles.
Screen and audio: works on and off
6 complaints (3%)
Problems that come and go and a failure that needed a new part.
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
6 complaints (3%)
Hesitation and a loss of power. Median mileage when it started: about 28,000 miles.
Brakes: warning lights
5 complaints (2%)
Warning lights, loss of braking and slow to engage. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash.
Parking brake: warning lights
5 complaints (2%)
Warning lights, not releasing and a failure that needed a new part.

Show 19 more problems

12V battery failure
4 complaints (2%)
A failure.
Check engine light (cause not stated)
4 complaints (2%)
Warning lights.
Engine: stalling
4 complaints (2%)
Stalling and hesitation. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Fuel pump: locking up
4 complaints (2%)
Locking up, failure or loss of drive and a leak. All 4 describe a serious outcome, most often being stranded.
Seats: seat height will not hold
4 complaints (2%)
Seat height will not hold, weak heating and seat slid forward.
Stall (cause not stated)
4 complaints (2%)
Stalling. All 4 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 29,000 miles.
Vibration (cause not stated)
4 complaints (2%)
Vibration or shudder.
Noise (cause not stated)
3 complaints (1%)
Unusual noises.
Adaptive cruise control: warning lights
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights.
Airbag warning light failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part and warning lights.
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
2 complaints (under 1%)
Water leaking in.
Forward collision warning: the system not working when needed
2 complaints (under 1%)
The system not working when needed and warning lights. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
2 complaints (under 1%)
No deployment in a crash.
Fuel system: a bad smell
2 complaints (under 1%)
A bad smell. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Ignition or power mode (won't shut off): not shutting off
2 complaints (under 1%)
Not shutting off.
Lane keeping assist: warning lights
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights.
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
2 complaints (under 1%)
Shattering or cracking.
Tire pressure monitoring: warning lights
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights.
Wiring, fuses or body control module: fault code
2 complaints (under 1%)
A stored fault code and a failure.

Reported Once (34)

Show the 34 problems reported once

A/C compressor failure
A/C condenser: a leak
EVAP system: fault code
Alternator or charging failure
Brake hold or auto hold: warning lights
Cylinder head gasket failure
Door latches: sticking or stiffness
Engine failure: locking up
Exterior lights: sticking or stiffness
Exterior trim: peeling chrome
Frame or structure: rust or corrosion
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
Ignition coils or spark plugs: warning lights
Interior trim: sticking or stiffness
Clogged filter (water in cabin): water leaking in
Cylinder head failure
Dashboard button illumination: stopped working
Exterior door handle: parts breaking or coming apart
Sunroof drains (clogged): water leaking in
Vehicle fire (cause not stated)
Door lock actuators: works on and off
Rear window glass: shattering or cracking
Rearview camera: stopped working
Road departure mitigation: warning lights
Seat belts: not closing or latching
Side blind zone alert: warning lights
Side or curtain airbags: no deployment in a crash
Stability control (VSA) failure
Struts or shocks: unusual noises
Sunroof: water leaking in
Tires: damage
Warning lights (cause not stated)
Windows or locks or sunroof (operate by themselves): the system acting on its own
Windshield: shattering or cracking

How the 2019 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 This year	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	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

2019 Honda HR-V Recalls

Seven recalls cover the 2019 Honda HR-V. The most recent was issued in May 2026: “Air Bags May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Air Bags May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA 26V332000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 21, 2026.
Inoperative Rearview Camera Display/FMVSS 111, May 2024
An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 24V384000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 31, 2024. By the second quarter of 2026, 68% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Pump May Fail, December 2023
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 23V858000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 18, 2023. By the second quarter of 2026, 73% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Inoperative Rearview Camera Display/FMVSS 111, February 2023
An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 23V046000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 2, 2023. By the fourth quarter of 2024, 70% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Pump May Fail, March 2021
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 21V215000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 25, 2021. By the first quarter of 2023, 90% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Pump May Fail, May 2020
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 20V314000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 28, 2020. By the second quarter of 2022, 91% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 1 more recalls

Coating on Rear Brake Caliper Pistons/FMVSS 135
The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 18V777000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 1, 2018. By the first quarter of 2020, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2019 Honda HR-V Warranty Extensions and Programs

Honda has one warranty extension and one service campaign for the 2019 Honda HR-V, separate from its recalls. Both are for problems with the transmission. 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)
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)

2019 Honda HR-V NHTSA Investigations

NHTSA has opened one investigation that covers the 2019 Honda HR-V. It closed without a recall.

Rear differential seizure in all wheel drive CR-Vs
Closed without a recall
NHTSA's preliminary evaluation looked at rear differentials seizing in all wheel drive 2018-2022 CR-Vs and HR-Vs. Damaged oil seals caused oil loss and sometimes a broken driveshaft. Honda cited 1,201 incidents. Failures came early and were covered by warranty. The vehicle can keep running as a two wheel drive. NHTSA closed the case in July 2024.
NHTSA PE22011 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Nov 28, 2022 to Jul 22, 2024

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2019 HR-V ratings on NHTSA.gov.

SUV AWD and SUV FWD

Overall5/5

Frontal crash4/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2019 HR-V, from its seven recalls, a Honda warranty extension that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Air Bags May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash NHTSA 26V332000
Inoperative Rearview Camera Display/FMVSS 111, May 2024 NHTSA 24V384000
Fuel Pump May Fail, December 2023 NHTSA 23V858000
Inoperative Rearview Camera Display/FMVSS 111, February 2023 NHTSA 23V046000
Fuel Pump May Fail, March 2021 NHTSA 21V215000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 7 recalls and which are still open.

Ask a Honda Dealer

Ask whether this warranty extension applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

21-047: CVT replacement for early belt wear

On the Test Drive

Test the screen, audio and phone connection for freezing or rebooting.
Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.
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.

Ask the Seller

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

Instrument cluster
Driver-assist camera and radar
Dashboard warning lights
Also ask for the service records, especially oil 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.