Last updated: 2026-03-04

Honda HR-V

2 Honda HR-V Years to Avoid

Years that score significantly below the Honda HR-V average of 81/100

The Honda HR-V years to avoid are 2023, 2019 based on reliability scores, NHTSA recalls, and owner complaints. The worst year is 2023 with a reliability score of 73/100. The best Honda HR-V year to buy is 2025 88/100.

Verdict

The 2023, 2019 Honda HR-V score significantly below the model average of 81/100. The weakest year is 2023 with a score of 73/100 due to visibility wiper (255) issues. The best year to buy instead is 2021 86/100.

See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

Honda HR-V Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the Honda HR-V average of 81/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1202373/100Good3673Visibility Wiper (255)
2201975/100Good6185Electrical System (51)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

73
GoodReliability score: 73 out of 100, rated Good

2023 Honda HR-V

The 2023 Honda HR-V has good reliability. There are 3 recalls and 673 owner complaints on file for the 2023 Honda HR-V. Severity signals include 6 crash-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Visibility Wiper (255), Unknown Or Other (188), Visibility (77).

3 recalls673 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Visibility Wiper (255), Unknown Or Other (188), Visibility (77), Steering (75), Structure (32), Electrical System (25)

View full 2023 reliability report →
75
GoodReliability score: 75 out of 100, rated Good

2019 Honda HR-V

The 2019 Honda HR-V has good reliability. There are 6 recalls and 185 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Honda HR-V. Severity signals include 14 crash-related complaints and 1 fire-related complaint. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Electrical System (51), Fuel System, Gasoline (35), Unknown Or Other (18).

6 recalls185 complaintsEst. repair:

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 2019 reliability report →

What Are Common Honda HR-V Problems?

Top reported issues across all Honda HR-V model years, based on NHTSA owner complaints.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

265 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2023, 2024

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

238 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2020, 2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

172 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

STEERING

144 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2021

VISIBILITY

77 complaints

Most reported in 2023

FUEL SYSTEM

76 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

Best Honda HR-V Year to Buy Instead

86
ExcellentReliability score: 86 out of 100, rated Excellent

2021 Honda HR-V

The 2021 Honda HR-V has excellent reliability. There are 3 recalls and 52 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Honda HR-V. Severity signals include 5 crash-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Air Bags (17), Electrical System (10), Unknown Or Other (8).

Score: 86/100 (Excellent)3 recalls52 complaints
View full 2021 reliability report →

All Honda HR-V Years by Generation

All model years ranked by reliability score, grouped by generation.

Honda HR-V Reliability Scores by Year

2020 Honda HR-V (2020)80/100
2021 Honda HR-V (2021)86/100
2022 Honda HR-V (2022)83/100
2024 Honda HR-V (2024)83/100
2025 Honda HR-V (2025)88/100
Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Our data covers 2018–2025 model years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Honda HR-V years should you avoid?
Based on our data, you should avoid the following Honda HR-V years: 2023 (score: 73/100), 2019 (score: 75/100). These model years score significantly below the Honda HR-V average of 81/100.
What is the best year for the Honda HR-V?
The best year for the Honda HR-V is 2025, with a reliability score of 88/100 ("Excellent"). It has 1 recalls and 26 owner complaints.
How many recalls does the Honda HR-V have?
Across all years in our database, the Honda HR-V has a total of 27 recalls. Recall counts vary by year — check individual model year reports for details.
Is a used Honda HR-V worth buying?
Yes, especially the 2025 model year, which scores 88/100. Stick to years at or above the model average of 81/100 for the best ownership experience.
What are common Honda HR-V problems?
The most common Honda HR-V problems are visibility/wiper (265 complaints), unknown or other (238 complaints), electrical system (172 complaints). These issues are reported across multiple model years based on NHTSA owner complaint data.
Is the Honda HR-V reliable long-term?
The Honda HR-V has an average reliability score of 81/100 across all model years in our database, rated "excellent". Overall, it is a reliable vehicle, though some model years perform better than others.
Which Honda HR-V generation is most reliable?
The most reliable Honda HR-V generation is the Second generation (RU) with an average score of 80/100. Compare generations in our all-years-by-generation section above.
How much does it cost to maintain a Honda HR-V?
The estimated annual maintenance cost for the Honda HR-V is $301 based on independent repair cost databases. This is below the category average, making it relatively affordable to maintain.
Is the 2025 Honda HR-V a good used buy?
Yes, the 2025 Honda HR-V is the highest-scoring model year with a reliability score of 88/100 ("Excellent"). It has 1 recalls and 26 owner complaints, making it a solid used buy.

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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

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

3

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.

4

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.

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