2021 Honda HR-V problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
63 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
24,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 63 complaints (31.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 15.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 7.9% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 7.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 20 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 3 |
Air Bags: 20; Electrical System: 12; Unknown Or Other: 9; Power Train: 5; Service Brakes: 5; Engine: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 55 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2026 | 14 |
2021: 5; 2022: 3; 2023: 5; 2024: 20; 2025: 16; 2026: 14
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11406923 · 2021-04-07 (April 7, 2021)
WHEN I START MY CAR AND SHIFT IT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE ON COLD MORNINGS, THERE IS A PRONOUNCED DELAY IN THE CAR MOVING. IN ADDITION, WHEN I HAVE TO ABRUPTLY BRAKE THE TRANSMISSION OCCASIONALLY SLIPS AND/OR SKIPS. I BROUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND I HAVE ONLY HAD IT SEVEN WEEKS. I SHOULD NOT HAVE PERFORMANCE ISSUES AT THE STAGE. MY PREVIOUS CAR WAS A HONDA ACCORD WITH 310,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO DECLINE SIMILAR TO THIS IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW AND THEY SAID THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THIS ISSUE. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 125 miles reported. Look up ODI 11406923 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11429090 · 2021-08-14 (August 14, 2021)
Brakes make scrapping sound as if the emergency brake was on.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11429090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11498769 · 2022-12-24 (December 24, 2022)
The car accelerated unexpectedly, yes it is available for inspection, I have not taken to dealer. Car has not been inspected by any police dealer etc. No warning lights appeared. Yes car accelerated toward several on coming cars. I shifted gear from neutral with brake to drive with unexpected acceleration.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11498769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11550787 · 2023-10-19 (October 19, 2023)
The contact owns a 2021 Honda HR-V. The contact that after a rainstorm, the power lock system would not allow her to open the doors, and that the theft alarm system would activate independently. The contact stated that she had also been trapped in the vehicle when the power locks failed to unlock the doors. Additionally, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the doors would lock and unlock independently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the bat…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11550787 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11597696 · 2024-06-29 (June 29, 2024)
Honda dealer refuses to fix Recall. Dealer at Arrowhead Honda at 8380 W Bell Rd, Peoria, AZ 85382. Service advisor Grant Foster informed me that because the vehicle has a Restored Salvage title (unrelated to mechanical and electrical components) they will not fix the recall.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11597696 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11575703 · 2024-03-06 (March 6, 2024)
This air bag and seatbelt both malfunctioned clearly the air bag malfunctioned while I was about to cross over a bridge on an interstate .. Ciasing a projectile to shoot me in my eye knocking me unconcouiss and I wasn’t sure wht happened until hind sight and clearly the foremsic evidence supports this .. I woke up hitting.my head on window roof I was in a ditch barreling down a hill twords the bridges legs it stands on and I was already blind I couldn’t see shit nor was I even able to regain control of the vehicle due to the blunt force traum…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11575703 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11619200 · 2024-10-10 (October 10, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel did not function as intended. The contact stated that the steering wheel was stiff and veered in the wrong direction. The contact stated that when the steering wheel was turned in the correct direction, the steering wheel pulled in the opposite direction. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to steer. The contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle was involved in a crash. The vehicle cras…
Owner-reported narrative. 91,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11619200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11578666 · 2024-03-21 (March 21, 2024)
Odometer section of dashboard failed to light up/turn on. Continued to happen after restarting the car. Eventually after running the car for ~20 minutes it started flashing and turned on. If this continues to occur or fails completely/indefinitely, there is a risk of stalling on the road or highway if unable to monitor the gas gauge.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11578666 at NHTSA ↗