Last updated: 2026-03-04

Predicted

2026 Honda HR-V Reliability Score & Common Problems

Name: 2026 Honda HR-V
Brand: Honda

The 2026 Honda HR-V has a predicted reliability score of 81/100 based on prior model year data. Early data shows 0 recalls and 5 owner complaints.

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

N/A

per 10k sold

Est. Annual Cost

$301

Below avg

Major Repair Risk

NHTSA Rating

5/5

Buy

Based on historical reliability patterns, predicted to score 81/100 — a strong pick.

Top Issues

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)VISIBILITY/WIPER (1)

Should You Buy the 2026 Honda HR-V?

The 2026 Honda HR-V has a predicted reliability score of 81/100 ("Excellent") based on prior model year performance.

So far: 0 recalls, 5 owner complaints. Early complaint volume is still developing.

Prior model years suggest dependable ownership. Confirm all recall repairs are completed, and consider a pre-purchase inspection for used examples.

See also the 2025 Honda HR-V for an earlier comparison.

Pros

Strong predicted reliability based on prior model years
$165 cheaper to maintain than avg subcompact SUVs
Infrequent unscheduled repairs
Low major repair risk (5%)
No recalls issued

Cons

Score is a prediction — real-world data still developing
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues reported (2 complaints)

Compare 2026 Honda HR-V With

Predicted

2026 Toyota Corolla Cross

Predicted: 79/100

Predicted

2026 Subaru Crosstrek

Predicted: 78/100

Predicted

2026 Chevrolet Trax

Predicted: 82/100

Common Problem Categories

Other

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)
VISIBILITY/WIPER (1)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

The 2026 Honda HR-V has no recalls on record, which is uncommon and a positive indicator of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

complaints

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2026 Honda HR-V NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 14.0%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (Info Not Available)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Driver Monitoring System (No)Automatic High Beams (Standard)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Honda HR-V Repair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$301

vs $466 avg for subcompact SUVs

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.1

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

HR-V

$301

Category Avg

$466

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

When Buying a Used 2026 Honda HR-V

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.

Test Apple CarPlay functionality for message retrieval and hands-free operation
Verify infotainment system displays text messages correctly
Check Siri system sound for consistency
Inspect driver-side quarter glass for any signs of stress or damage

Check Any 2026 Honda HR-V's History Before You Buy

Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2026 HR-V in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific Honda HR-V with a free VIN lookup.

Run a Free VIN Check

2026 Honda HR-V Common Problems by Component

5 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)VISIBILITY/WIPER (1)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

Owners report issues with the hands-free Apple CarPlay system in the 2026 Honda HR-V, particularly noting that it fails to work properly. Complaints frequently mention problems with the infotainment system, including inconsistent Siri system sound and failure to display text messages, which are observed at approximately 200 miles. These issues persist despite dealer inspections, with no definitive cause identified. While no crashes or fires are reported, the malfunctioning hands-free system could potentially increase the risk of incidents by requiring manual phone use. This information may be relevant for prospective buyers considering the vehicle's electronic features and reliability.

2 complaints total

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

Owners report issues with the Honda software for the head unit in the 2026 Honda HR-V, specifically affecting Apple CarPlay functionality. Common symptoms include the inability to retrieve messages and problems with hands-free features, such as reading and responding to texts, which are described as non-functional. These complaints suggest a widespread problem with the 2026 model year, as multiple owners indicate dealership visits have not resolved the issue, and forums have numerous discussions on the topic. Safety implications are noted, as the lack of hands-free operation could potentially distract drivers. No specific mileage ranges or timelines are mentioned in the complaints.

2 complaints total

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

2025-08-26

The driver-side quarter glass shattered for no apparent reason while the vehicle was parked.

When Do 2026 Honda HR-V Problems Start?

Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.

0–1,000 milesInfotainment system failures

Best & Worst Honda HR-V Years

Best Honda HR-V Years to Buy

The best Honda HR-V year is 2025 with a reliability score of 88/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2021 (86/100) and 2024 (83/100).

Excellent

2025

1 recall · 26 complaints

Excellent

2021

3 recalls · 52 complaints

Excellent

2024

4 recalls · 94 complaints

Honda HR-V Years to Avoid

The worst Honda HR-V year is 2023 with a score of 73/100, primarily due to visibility wiper (255) issues. Also avoid 2019 (75/100).

Good

2023

3 recalls · 673 complaints

Good

2019

6 recalls · 185 complaints

See full Honda HR-V years-to-avoid analysis →

Honda HR-V Reliability Score Trend

Honda HR-V reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 81/100.

avg 81

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Honda HR-V reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	78/100	Good
2019	75/100	Good
2020	80/100	Excellent
2021	86/100	Excellent
2022	83/100	Excellent
2023	73/100	Good
2024	83/100	Excellent
2025	88/100	Excellent

Honda HR-V Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026(selected)	81/100 (predicted)	—	Predicted	0	5
2025	88/100	+5	Excellent	1	26
2024	83/100	+10	Excellent	4	94
2023	73/100	-10	Good	3	673
2022	83/100	-3	Excellent	3	62
2021	86/100	+6	Excellent	3	52
2020	80/100	+5	Excellent	4	71
2019	75/100	-3	Good	6	185
2018	78/100	—	Good	3	141

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Honda HR-V reliable?

The 2026 Honda HR-V has a predicted reliability score of 81/100 ("Excellent") based on prior model year data. So far there are 0 recalls and 5 owner complaints on file. This is a prediction — the actual score will be available once more real-world data accumulates.

What are the most common problems with the 2026 Honda HR-V?

There aren't enough owner complaints to establish common problem patterns yet for the 2026 Honda HR-V. Based on prior model years, review known issues from previous years to understand potential problem areas.

How many recalls does the 2026 Honda HR-V have?

The 2026 Honda HR-V has no recalls on record, which is a positive indicator.

How is the predicted score calculated?

The predicted score of 81/100 is calculated by averaging reliability scores from prior model years of the same generation. When generation data is unavailable, the average of the most recent model years is used. The prediction updates automatically as new data becomes available.

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.