2021 Honda HR-V Reliability Report

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

Excellent

Ranks 1st of 9 HR-V years we score.

Owner complaints: 63; 16 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 5.1; 91,951 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.31×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 18; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 4
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2020 HR-V 2022 HR-V →

Should You Buy the 2021 Honda HR-V?

Yes. Our reliability score for the 2021 Honda HR-V is 84 out of 100, which rates Excellent. Owners reported about a third as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 1st of the 9 HR-V years we score.

The most reported problem is the instrument cluster, mostly works on and off (11 of 63 complaints). Owners also complain about the CVT and automatic emergency braking. 18 of the 63 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 4 recalls. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2020 scores 74 and the 2022 scores 75.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Excellent reliability score of 84
About a third of 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 off11 complaints
CVT failure7 complaints
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead4 complaints

How the 2021 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 problems18 complaints · average car: about 65	0.29×	−4
Everyday problems29 complaints · average car: about 87	0.35×	−2
Problems in the last two years12 complaints · average car: about 46	0.29×	−4
Recalls4 recalls · average car: about 3.8	1.0×	−6
Score		84

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 63 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Honda HR-V, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Instrument cluster: works on and off
11 complaints (17%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.
CVT failure
7 complaints (11%)
A failure and harsh or delayed shifts. 4 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 67,000 miles.
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
4 complaints (6%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead, the system not working when needed and warning lights. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking.
Brakes: unusual noises
3 complaints (5%)
Unusual noises, loss of braking and hard braking with nothing ahead. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking.
Steering: loss of steering control
3 complaints (5%)
Loss of steering control, sticking or stiffness and a failure that needed a new part. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
3 complaints (5%)
Sudden acceleration. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.
Airbag warning light
2 complaints (3%)
Warning lights.
Airbags: injured occupant on deployment
2 complaints (3%)
Injured occupant on deployment and deployment with no crash. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a crash.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
2 complaints (3%)
A loss of power and failure or loss of drive. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Driver-assist camera and radar: stopped working
2 complaints (3%)
A feature that stopped working.
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (3%)
Hesitation.

Reported Once (14)

Show the 14 problems reported once

Battery drain: draining the battery
Several warning lights at once
Forward collision warning: warning lights
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
Ignition or power mode (won't shut off): not shutting off
Ignition or push-button start: stopped working
Lane keeping assist: the system not working when needed
Mirrors: damage
Passenger airbag sensor: wrong readings
Door lock actuators: stopped working
Seat belts: stopped working
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
Windows or locks or sunroof (operate by themselves): the system acting on its own
Wiring, fuses or body control module failure

How the 2021 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 This year	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	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

2021 Honda HR-V Recalls

Four recalls cover the 2021 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.
Air Bag May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash
An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA 24V064000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 1, 2024. By the second quarter of 2026, 52% 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.

2021 Honda HR-V NHTSA Investigations

NHTSA has opened one investigation that covers the 2021 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 2021 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 2021 HR-V, from its four recalls 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
Air Bag May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash NHTSA 24V064000
Inoperative Rearview Camera Display/FMVSS 111, February 2023 NHTSA 23V046000

On the Test Drive

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

Ask the Seller

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

Instrument cluster
CVT
Automatic emergency braking
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.