Last updated: 2026-10-10
Honda HR-V Years to Avoid
9 scored model years (2018–2026) · model average 83/100
Skip the 2019 and 2023 model years. The 2019 has instrument display and fuel pump trouble, and the 2023 has rear glass that shatters with no impact plus sticky steering. The 2021 is the year to buy.
Verdict
- Avoid
- 2023 73/1002019 75/100
- Buy
- 2021 86/100
- Model average
- 83/100
Honda HR-V Years to Avoid
These model years score significantly below the Honda HR-V average of 83/100.
Why These Years Should Be Avoided
2023 Honda HR-V
Rear hatch glass shatters with no impact, often after defroster use and sometimes under 6,500 miles, and replacement glass is often back-ordered. The steering feels sticky and jerks past resistance, with three crashes reported. Complaints run 55.1 per 10,000 sold, far above any other year.
Top issues: Visibility Wiper (255), Unknown Or Other (188), Visibility (77), Steering (75), Structure (32), Electrical System (25)
View full 2023reliability report →2019 Honda HR-V
Owners report the right side of the instrument cluster flickering or going dark, taking the fuel gauge and odometer with it, and dealers quoting $1800 or more for a new cluster. Fuel pump complaints add hard starting, hesitation, and stalling while driving, with long waits for parts. It also logged six recalls, the most of any year.
Top issues: Electrical System (51), Fuel System, Gasoline (35), Unknown Or Other (18), Fuel Propulsion System (14), Forward Collision Avoidance (12), Power Train (11)
View full 2019reliability report →What Are Common Honda HR-V Problems?
VISIBILITY/WIPER
261 complaintsMost reported in 2023, 2024
2023: The rear hatch glass shatters with no impact.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
252 complaintsMost reported in 2023, 2019, 2018
2023: The rear window shatters on its own here too.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
172 complaintsMost reported in 2019, 2018, 2023
2019: The right side of the instrument cluster flickers, shows random characters, or goes dark, taking the odometer, fuel gauge, range, and oil life display with it.
STEERING
135 complaintsMost reported in 2023, 2024, 2025
2023: The wheel feels sticky.
VISIBILITY
77 complaintsMost reported in 2023
2023: Rear liftgate glass breaks without impact, often while the car is parked and turned off.
FUEL SYSTEM
76 complaintsMost reported in 2019, 2018, 2020
2019: Most of these reports concern fuel pump recall 23V858000 and the long wait for parts.
Best Honda HR-V Year to Buy Instead
2021 Honda HR-V
The 2021 draws 3.8 complaints per 10,000 sold, against 55.1 for the 2023. Its main complaints are a wait on an air bag repair part and a cold-weather display flicker, not shattered glass or fuel pump stalls. A few owners report CVT failures. It has also been on the road long enough to judge.
Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car
Even the 2021 Honda HR-V has 3 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
All Honda HR-V Years by Generation
Honda HR-V Reliability Scores by Year
Second generation (RU) (2016–2022)
2021 Honda HR-V
3 recalls · 52 complaints
2022 Honda HR-V
3 recalls · 62 complaints
2020 Honda HR-V
4 recalls · 71 complaints
2018 Honda HR-V
3 recalls · 141 complaints
2019 Honda HR-V
6 recalls · 185 complaints
Third generation (RZ) (2023–2023)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Honda HR-V years should you avoid?
Is the 2023 Honda HR-V reliable?
Which Honda HR-V years have transmission problems?
What is wrong with the 2019 Honda HR-V?
Are the newest Honda HR-V years safe to buy?
How we score every Honda HR-V model year
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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