2021 Honda HR-V: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 11421642 · 2021-06-21 (June 21, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and attempting to accelerate the vehicle loss power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal to the floorboard however the vehicle failed to move. There were no warning lights illuminated The contact changed the fuel to a 93 octane however there was no improvement. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the vehicle was working as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11421642 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 11434977 · 2021-09-30 (September 30, 2021)
The SRS light came on one morning when I started my car. I haven’t done anything for this to happen. When the break indicator comes up when too close to a vehicle my car make sudden breaks and stop.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11434977 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11439684 · 2021-11-08 (November 8, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that the key would not go in the ignition. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The failure recurred and while taking the vehicle back to the dealer, the vehicle would not turn off. The dealer was able to turn off the vehicle but could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 876.
Owner-reported narrative. 876 miles reported. Look up ODI 11439684 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11454107 · 2022-02-25 (February 25, 2022)
I've taken this vehicle to dealership 5 times between October 2021 and February 18, 2022. Three different times the brakes activated without my touching them. Three other times the brakes stopped the car even as I was slowing down for a stoplight. This could cause someone behind me to "rear-end" my car. I have been to my dealership four times and they could not duplicate the issue, no codes found so they could not fix it. One other was a dealership out of town. On the fourth visit to my dealership, the cameras were adjusted and front wheels a…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11454107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11454172 · 2022-02-25 (February 25, 2022)
When you're driving down the highway your break automatically come on. The brake light comes on it goes beep beep and the brakes slams on really hard and you can hear you the brakes grinding. And there's nothing in front of you no cars or anything and it's done that three times on me just today. It's been doing that off and on for about 2 months now.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11454172 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 ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V046000 · Back Over Prevention:Display Function | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Reported: 2023-02-02 (February 2, 2023)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Fit and 2019-2022 HR-V vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the engine is started with a key, due to a design error in the audio display power circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the display audio unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 13, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is 6DW. This recall has been superseded by NHTSA recall number 24V-384. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 23V-046 will need to have the new remedy completed under recall 24V-384.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V064000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
Reported: 2024-02-01 (February 1, 2024)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V384000 · Back Over Prevention:Software | Back Over Prevention:Display Function
Reported: 2024-05-31 (May 31, 2024)
Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Fit and 2019-2022 HR-V vehicles that were previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 23V-046. The rearview camera image may not display when the engine is started with a key, due to a design error in the audio display power circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the display audio unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are TIQ and DIR. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 23V-046 will need to have the new remedy completed.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V332000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
Reported: 2026-05-21 (May 21, 2026)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
NHTSA campaign record ↗