Is the Honda HR-V more reliable than the Jeep Renegade?

Based on our data, the Honda HR-V is more reliable with an average score of 83/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Honda HR-V or the Jeep Renegade?

The Honda HR-V has more recalls (27) compared to the Jeep Renegade (15). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Honda HR-V or the Jeep Renegade?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda HR-V has a lower complaint rate at 11.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 20.4 for the Jeep Renegade. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda HR-V or the Jeep Renegade?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda HR-V is cheaper to maintain at $301/year versus $498/year for the Jeep Renegade.

Is the Honda HR-V or Jeep Renegade safer?

Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Honda HR-V has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Jeep Renegade. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Honda HR-V vs Jeep Renegade: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Honda HR-V

Excellent

Jeep Renegade

Good

Choosing between the Honda HR-V and the Jeep Renegade? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two subcompact suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Honda HR-V currently leads with an average score of 83/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Honda HR-V and Jeep Renegade Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Honda HR-V is in its third generation, which was introduced in 2023. Being early in its generation cycle, this model may experience some first-year issues as newer platforms often do. The previous second generation, which ran from 2016 to 2022, received a mid-cycle refresh in 2019, typically enhancing reliability as issues were addressed over time. In contrast, the Jeep Renegade is still in its first generation, which began in 2015. It has undergone multiple updates, including significant facelifts in 2019, 2022, and 2023. This mature platform tends to be well-sorted, with many initial issues likely resolved over its long production run.

Verdict

The Honda HR-V is more reliable than the Jeep Renegade, scoring 83/100 vs 74/100.

The Honda HR-V outperforms the Jeep Renegade in terms of reliability, with an average reliability score of 83/100 compared to the Renegade's 74/100. The HR-V also boasts a lower owner complaint rate of 11.3 per 10,000 units sold versus the Renegade's 20.4, indicating fewer issues reported relative to sales. Furthermore, the HR-V has a more economical estimated annual repair cost at $301, significantly less than the Renegade's $498. While both vehicles have their share of common issues, the HR-V's overall reliability metrics and cost efficiency make it the more dependable choice.

Key Differences

1Honda HR-V costs $197 less per year to repair
2Jeep Renegade has 12 fewer total recalls
3Honda HR-V has 9.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

6Honda HR-V

—

1Jeep Renegade

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Honda HR-V vs Jeep Renegade: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda HR-V vs Jeep Renegade at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Honda HR-V	Jeep Renegade
Reliability Score	83/100	74/100
Years Tracked	9	6
Total Recalls	27	15
Complaints per 10k Sold	11.3	20.4
Annual Repair Cost	$301/yr	$498/yr
Repair Frequency	0.1/yr	0.2/yr
Major Repair Risk	5%	9%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2023 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	4 (1 tied)	1 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda HR-V and Jeep Renegade?

The Honda HR-V exhibits a higher number of total complaints compared to the Jeep Renegade, with significant issues in visibility/wiper and electrical system categories, both of which include crash-linked incidents. The HR-V's steering complaints are particularly concerning, with 13 crash-linked reports, suggesting potential safety risks. In contrast, the Jeep Renegade's most frequent problem area is the electrical system, yet it is the air bags category that stands out due to a high proportion of crash-linked complaints (21 out of 29). While both vehicles have issues with their power train, the HR-V's crash-linked complaints are more frequent in this area than the Renegade's.

Honda HR-V vs Jeep Renegade common problem areas comparison
Component	Honda HR-V	Jeep Renegade
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.5Low	5.5Average
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	2Low	2.8Low
ENGINE	0.1Very Low	3.8Average
POWER TRAIN	0.4Very Low	2.5Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	2.3Low	0.1Very Low
STEERING	1.2Low	0.4Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.3Very Low	0.9Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	0.9Very Low
VISIBILITY	0.7Very Low	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	0.7Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	0.4Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	0.3Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.3Very Low	0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	0.1Very Low
TIRES	—None	0.1Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	0.1Very Low

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda HR-V or Jeep Renegade?

Based on industry estimates, the Honda HR-V has an annual repair cost of $301, while the Jeep Renegade averages $498. This $197 difference per year amounts to nearly $985 over five years. The HR-V also boasts a lower repair frequency at 0.1 visits per year compared to the Renegade's 0.2 visits. Furthermore, the HR-V's risk of a major repair is 5%, significantly lower than the Renegade's 9%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Honda HR-V offers better value with its lower annual repair costs, reduced frequency of visits, and decreased likelihood of major repairs, making it a more economical choice over time.

How Does Honda HR-V vs Jeep Renegade Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda HR-V vs Jeep Renegade year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Honda HR-V	Jeep Renegade	Edge
2023	73/1003R / 673C	77/1002R / 20C	Jeep Renegade
2022	83/1003R / 62C	76/1002R / 24C	Honda HR-V
2021	86/1003R / 52C	75/1002R / 64C	Honda HR-V
2020	80/1004R / 71C	75/1003R / 62C	Honda HR-V
2019	75/1006R / 185C	75/1004R / 77C	Tie
2018	78/1003R / 141C	65/1002R / 440C	Honda HR-V

Best years to cross-shop: The 2021 Honda HR-V scored 86/100 and the 2023 Jeep Renegade scored 77/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda HR-V vs the Jeep Renegade?

If you prioritize low running costs and reliability, the Honda HR-V is the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 83 out of 100, it stands out for its dependability. Independent repair cost estimates suggest an annual cost of $301, which is significantly lower than the Jeep Renegade. Additionally, its lower repair frequency of 0.1 times per year and a major repair risk of just 5% further enhance its appeal for those seeking a hassle-free ownership experience. On the other hand, if you are drawn to a vehicle with fewer recalls and don't mind a higher annual repair cost, the Jeep Renegade might suit your needs. Despite its lower reliability score of 74, it has only 15 total recalls compared to the HR-V's 27. However, be prepared for higher running costs, with estimated annual repair expenses at $498 and a major repair risk of 9%. Choose the Renegade if these factors align with your preferences.

Honda HR-V vs Jeep Renegade: Common Questions

Is the Honda HR-V more reliable than the Jeep Renegade?: Based on our data, the Honda HR-V is more reliable with an average score of 83/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Honda HR-V or the Jeep Renegade?: The Honda HR-V has more recalls (27) compared to the Jeep Renegade (15). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Honda HR-V or the Jeep Renegade?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda HR-V has a lower complaint rate at 11.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 20.4 for the Jeep Renegade. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda HR-V or the Jeep Renegade?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda HR-V is cheaper to maintain at $301/year versus $498/year for the Jeep Renegade.
Is the Honda HR-V or Jeep Renegade safer?: Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Honda HR-V has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Jeep Renegade. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

More Honda HR-V comparisons

Honda HR-V vs Toyota Corolla Cross reliability Honda HR-V vs Subaru Crosstrek reliability Honda HR-V vs Chevrolet Trax reliability Honda HR-V vs Buick Encore GX reliability Honda HR-V reliability by year Honda HR-V years to avoid

More Jeep Renegade comparisons

Jeep Renegade vs Chevrolet Trailblazer reliability Jeep Renegade vs Toyota C-HR reliability Jeep Renegade vs Hyundai Kona reliability Jeep Renegade vs Subaru Crosstrek reliability Jeep Renegade reliability by year Jeep Renegade years to avoid

Decided between Honda HR-V and Jeep Renegade? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

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.

See incorrect data? Report an issue