Is the Honda HR-V more reliable than the Subaru Crosstrek?

Based on our data, the Honda HR-V is more reliable with an average score of 81/100 compared to 71/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Honda HR-V or the Subaru Crosstrek?

The Honda HR-V has more recalls (27) compared to the Subaru Crosstrek (19). 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 Subaru Crosstrek?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda HR-V has a lower complaint rate at 11.3 per 10,000 sold versus 72.5 for the Subaru Crosstrek. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda HR-V or the Subaru Crosstrek?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda HR-V is cheaper to maintain at $301/year versus $492/year for the Subaru Crosstrek.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Honda HR-V vs Subaru Crosstrek: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Honda HR-V

Excellent

Subaru Crosstrek

Good

Choosing between the Honda HR-V and the Subaru Crosstrek? 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 81/100 compared to 71/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Honda HR-V and Subaru Crosstrek Generations Compare?

The Subaru Crosstrek is currently in its third generation (GU), which began in 2024. This new platform may face typical first-year challenges as new models often do. In contrast, the Honda HR-V is also in its third generation (RZ), introduced in 2023. Both models are early in their generational cycles, indicating potential teething issues as manufacturers refine new designs. The Crosstrek's second generation (2018–2023) had a facelift in 2021, suggesting a mature platform with sorted reliability. Similarly, the HR-V’s second generation (2016–2022) received a facelift in 2019, making it a well-sorted option for those prioritizing reliability.

Verdict

The Honda HR-V is more reliable than the Subaru Crosstrek, scoring 81/100 vs 71/100.

The Honda HR-V demonstrates superior reliability with an average reliability score of 95/100 compared to the Subaru Crosstrek's 81/100. The HR-V also benefits from a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 11.3 per 10,000 sold, compared to the Crosstrek's 72.5, and has a lower estimated annual repair cost of $301 versus $492 for the Crosstrek. Despite having more recalls overall, the HR-V's reliability metrics and lower cost of ownership make it a more dependable choice in the subcompact SUV segment. Both models share common issues in visibility and electrical systems, but the HR-V's overall performance in reliability metrics gives it a clear edge.

Key Differences

1Honda HR-V costs $191 less per year to repair
2Honda HR-V has 61.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Honda HR-V scores 10 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

4Honda HR-V

—

1Subaru Crosstrek

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair Risk

Honda HR-V vs Subaru Crosstrek: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda HR-V vs Subaru Crosstrek at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Honda HR-V	Subaru Crosstrek
Reliability Score	81/100	71/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	27	19
Complaints per 10k Sold	11.3	72.5
Annual Repair Cost	$301/yr	$492/yr
Repair Frequency	0.1/yr	0.1/yr
Major Repair Risk	5%	7%
Year Wins	7	1

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda HR-V and Subaru Crosstrek?

The Subaru Crosstrek and Honda HR-V exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the HR-V having a higher total complaint count. Both models report significant issues with visibility/wiper systems, but the HR-V shows a broader spread across categories, including more complaints about the electrical system and steering, the latter with 13 crash-linked incidents. The Crosstrek, while facing fewer total complaints, has a notable concern with vehicle speed control, with 8 crash-linked complaints, indicating a potential safety issue. Additionally, the HR-V's higher number of steering-related complaints and crash-linked incidents suggests a more pronounced reliability issue in that area compared to the Crosstrek.

Honda HR-V vs Subaru Crosstrek common problem areas comparison
Component	Honda HR-V	Subaru Crosstrek
VISIBILITY/WIPER	2.3Low	21.8High
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	2Low	11.3Above Avg
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.5Low	8.8Above Avg
POWER TRAIN	0.4Very Low	4.8Average
STEERING	1.2Low	3Low
ENGINE	0.1Very Low	3.3Average
VISIBILITY	0.7Very Low	2.6Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	1.9Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.2Very Low	1.3Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	1.5Low
STRUCTURE	0.3Very Low	1.1Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	0.8Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.3Very Low	0.7Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	0.7Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.7Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	0.2Very 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 Subaru Crosstrek?

The Subaru Crosstrek and Honda HR-V present distinct profiles in maintenance and repair costs. According to industry estimates, the Subaru Crosstrek incurs an annual repair cost of $492, compared to the Honda HR-V's $301. This translates to a $191 difference per year, amounting to $955 over five years. Both vehicles have a similar repair frequency of 0.1 visits per year, indicating they require service roughly once every 10 years. However, the Crosstrek has a higher major repair risk at 7%, compared to the HR-V's 5%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Honda HR-V offers better value, with lower annual costs and reduced risk of significant repairs.

How Does Honda HR-V vs Subaru Crosstrek Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda HR-V vs Subaru Crosstrek year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Honda HR-V	Subaru Crosstrek	Edge
2025	88/1001R / 26C	83/1000R / 25C	Honda HR-V
2024	83/1004R / 94C	69/1002R / 95C	Honda HR-V
2023	73/1003R / 673C	81/1000R / 28C	Subaru Crosstrek
2022	83/1003R / 62C	78/1001R / 28C	Honda HR-V
2021	86/1003R / 52C	67/1002R / 97C	Honda HR-V
2020	80/1004R / 71C	72/1001R / 62C	Honda HR-V
2019	75/1006R / 185C	56/1008R / 272C	Honda HR-V
2018	78/1003R / 141C	60/1005R / 186C	Honda HR-V
2026(predicted)	81/100(predicted)	78/100(predicted)	Honda HR-V

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Honda HR-V scored 88/100 and the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek scored 83/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda HR-V vs the Subaru Crosstrek?

If you prioritize low running costs and reliability, the Honda HR-V is an excellent choice. With a reliability score of 95/100, an estimated annual repair cost of $301, and a major repair risk of only 5%, it's designed for peace of mind. The HR-V also has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold (11.3) compared to the Subaru Crosstrek, making it an ideal option if you want a trouble-free ownership experience. For those who are more concerned with a specific set of features or brand loyalty to Subaru, the Crosstrek may still appeal to you despite its lower reliability score of 81/100. However, with higher costs at $492 annually and more owner complaints (72.5 per 10,000 sold), you might need to be prepared for more frequent issues. Ultimately, if reliability and cost are your top concerns, the Honda HR-V offers a more dependable and economical choice.

Honda HR-V vs Subaru Crosstrek: Common Questions

Is the Honda HR-V more reliable than the Subaru Crosstrek?: Based on our data, the Honda HR-V is more reliable with an average score of 81/100 compared to 71/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Honda HR-V or the Subaru Crosstrek?: The Honda HR-V has more recalls (27) compared to the Subaru Crosstrek (19). 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 Subaru Crosstrek?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda HR-V has a lower complaint rate at 11.3 per 10,000 sold versus 72.5 for the Subaru Crosstrek. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda HR-V or the Subaru Crosstrek?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda HR-V is cheaper to maintain at $301/year versus $492/year for the Subaru Crosstrek.

More Honda HR-V comparisons

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More Subaru Crosstrek comparisons

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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.

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