Vehicle report
2018 Honda HR-V
Free recalls, owner complaints, and NHTSA safety ratings for the 2018 Honda HR-V, plus how to check this specific vehicle before you buy.
The 2018 Honda HR-V has 3 NHTSA recalls on record and 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Its overall NHTSA crash-test rating is 5 out of 5. Below is the full breakdown, plus how to check this specific vehicle by VIN before you buy in Alberta.
3
Open recalls
15
Complaints
5
Overall safety
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2018 Honda HR-V recalls (3)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Remedy: Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura NSX, 2019 Acura RDX, RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R and HR-V, 2019-2020 Insight and 2019 Fit vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 22, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
2018 Honda HR-V safety ratings
5
Overall
4
Front
5
Side
4
Rollover
Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.
2018 Honda HR-V owner complaints (15)
- STRUCTURE
The white paint on this vehicle is peeling off. It may come off in a large amount driving down the highway which could cause a safety issue for any vehicle nearby. Honda is aware of this defective paint and should be made to repaint this vehicle no matter when the grace period ranout.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Far right gauge in cluster, namely fuel level, mileage, warning icons etc only is visible when the vehicle is extremely warmed up. Otherwise, this gauge is totally black. Has been this way since 2019.
- STRUCTURE
Car paint is White Orchid Pearl and had been issued NHTSA complaint about it. The manufacturer lately issued warranty for the paint limited to 7 years (Mar/2025). Car paint started to chip off firstly on the driver side door as a small spot in 2022 and when notified the dealer, they did not pay much attention. Later on it was peeling off on the windshield on the passenger side. By the time I brought it to dealer's attention during a routine maintenance in Apr/2025, it was pass the manufacturer warranty and was told they cannot do anything about. Suddenly on Jun/2026 the car paint on the roof started to peel off in sheets exposing several inches at once. And the spots that were already damaged are now very wide spread. It surely indicate a manufacturing defect and when contact American Honda for assistance they claim it passed the warranty and now the responsibility if the customer. I find this not acceptable and why I should be bearing the fault of the manufacturer and that happen right after their limited warranty ending make me to think that of a hoax and ingenuine.
- AIR BAGS
SRS / airbag light permanently remain on which indicates a fault with the system. Technician said it’s most likely due to a faulty sensor in the passenger seat.
- VISIBILITY/WIPER
The rear glass/rear windshield of my parked car unexpectedly broke after using the rear defrost on XXX I am concerned about a possible defect involving the rear glass and/or rear defroster. Curry Honda, a Honda-authorized dealer, inspected the vehicle and confirmed the glass failure, but the underlying cause was never determined. Curry Honda’s written documentation recommended replacing the rear glass and specifically stated that the rear defroster function should be checked. However, Sarah at Curry Honda later told me that the rear defroster would NOT be tested. I have an audio recording of that conversation. This is the primary reason for my complaint: I specifically wanted the rear defroster evaluated as a possible contributing factor, but Sarah did not want to have the rear defroster function tested, leaving a potential cause of the unexpected glass failure uninvestigated. The glass broke without warning on XXX There were no warning lights or messages beforehand. The unexpected glass failure created a potential safety concern because it affects rear visibility and vehicle safety. Curry Honda told me it did not know how the glass broke and that there would not be a diagnostic report for this type of concern. American Honda later instructed me to obtain a diagnosis from a Honda-authorized dealer, but Curry Honda did not provide the requested diagnostic report. Curry Honda’s documented repair amount was $1,653.66 plus tax. I was later told that a $2,200 figure was being used regarding American Honda’s goodwill assistance. I was NOT directly given a $2,200 written quote; [XXX] and Sarah told me that figure, and I have recordings of those conversations. I am not claiming the rear defroster caused the glass to break. I am reporting that the suspected component was specifically identified for testing by the dealership, but Sarah stated it would not be tested. I believe the potential safety issue therefore remains inadequately investigated. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am filing a formal complaint regarding two critical manufacturing defects on my 2018 Honda HR-V that pose immediate safety risks and financial losses: 1. CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE (Instrument Gauge Failure): The digital display gauge on the right side of the driver's dashboard consistently blinks out and displays entirely unreadable, corrupted characters. This failure makes it impossible to monitor the fuel gauge or know how much gasoline remains in the vehicle. This defect is highly temperature-dependent, becoming severely worse during colder months. Not being able to read the fuel gauge creates an immediate, dangerous safety hazard, risking sudden, unexpected engine stalling on active highways or getting stranded in hazardous conditions. 2. MANUFACTURING DEFECT (Paint Delamination): The vehicle is exhibiting severe paint peeling and flaking on the roof in four distinct places. The exterior clear coat and base coat are actively separating from the underlying primer due to an inherent manufacturing adhesion failure. The vehicle features the White Orchid Pearl color (Paint Code: NH-788P). American Honda Motor Co. previously acknowledged this exact production defect by issuing a Warranty Extension under Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 19-064, extending coverage for 2016–2018 HR-Vs for 7 years. However, because this premature failure is only now manifesting on my vehicle, Honda Corporate and local dealerships are refusing to cover the thousands of dollars in necessary repair costs, claiming the 7-year window has expired. Limiting the remedy to an arbitrary timeframe for an inherent manufacturing defect leaves consumers with a structurally degrading vehicle (exposure to rust and metal deterioration) & zero recourse. Respectfully request that the Office of Defects Investigation compel American Honda to address the dashboard electrical failures and expand or reopen the remedy for known White Pearl paint peeling defect to ensure consumer safety& manufacturer accountability
- POWER TRAIN
We have a Honda 2018 HRV We purchased it new from Suburban Honda in April 2018 They have serviced the in our ownership The CVT Transmission was serviced and maintained by this dealership The fluid was changed at 29.063 miles and the transmission was updated by Honda at 31781 miles The fluid was changed at 54874 Now at 76081 miles the CVT Transmission has failed and Honda has said its $9500.00 to repair No warning lights just a Cluck on XXX I feel if the transmission completey fail on the road at any time The car has been inspected and is at Honda Dealership in [XXX] now they have confirmed internal Transmission failure Honda should repair at no cost to our family INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My 2018 Honda HR-V had the federally-mandated Safety Recall 24-015 (Fuel Pump Motor replacement) performed on August 16, 2025 at Honda Westborough, Westborough, MA. The vehicle had zero EVAP-related issues or warning lights before that recall work. Approximately 9 months later, in May 2026, a parking alert and check engine light appeared on the dash. I brought the vehicle back to the same dealership. The technician retrieved diagnostic codes P0455 (large EVAP leak) and P0456 (small EVAP leak), performed a smoke test, and confirmed the leak was coming specifically from the FUEL PUMP MOTOR AREA - the exact same location where the recall work had been performed. The technician's own notes state: "confirmed leak coming from the fuel pump motor area." After replacing the O-ring and lock ring, the leak persisted at the same spot. A new fuel pump assembly (part# 17045-T7X-A02) was ultimately installed to resolve it. Honda Westborough charged me $1,676.61 for this repair, including $870.50 in labor and $724.83 in parts. When I contacted American Honda Customer Relations, they declined to reimburse me, stating the repair was unrelated to the recall. I strongly dispute this. The recall involved opening the fuel pump housing to replace the motor. The subsequent EVAP leak was confirmed by smoke test to originate at that exact location. No such issues existed before the recall. This is a direct causal connection. Other Honda owners on public forums (HR-V Forum, CivicX Forum) have reported identical P0455/P0456 EVAP leaks appearing within days or months of the same recall being performed, suggesting a systemic issue with the recall repair procedure, specifically, improper resealing of the fuel pump housing after motor replacement. I am requesting: 1. An investigation into whether the Recall 24-015 repair procedure is causing downstream EVAP system failures. 2. Honda be required to reimburse owners who incurred repair costs caused by improper recall workmanship.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Complaint Regarding 2018 Honda HR-V AWD – Air Conditioning Failure, Odometer Malfunction, and Prior Fuel Pump Replacement. I am filing a complaint regarding my 2018 Honda HR-V AWD due to ongoing mechanical and electrical issues that appear to affect many Honda HR-V owners. The primary issue is the air conditioning system, which has not been functioning consistently. The A/C repeatedly fails to cool properly and intermittently stops working altogether. I am aware that many other Honda HR-V owners have reported similar air conditioning problems, and Honda has offered extended warranty coverage for certain Honda vehicles with A/C system defects. However, my vehicle has not been included in that extended coverage, despite experiencing the same recurring issues. In addition, the vehicle previously required a fuel pump replacement in 2021. I am concerned that this may indicate broader reliability and safety-related defects affecting this model. The vehicle is also experiencing mechanical and electrical problems involving the odometer/instrumentation system. The odometer has shown irregular behavior and appears to malfunction intermittently, raising concerns about the accuracy of vehicle information and overall reliability. I have been experiencing these issues for years without any resolution. I reached out to Honda Customer Service about these issues, but because my "VIN" is not included in the recall or extended warranty, I haven't been able to get much help. I believe these issues warrant investigation, particularly given the number of similar complaints from other Honda HR-V owners. I respectfully request that Honda be required to extend warranty coverage and corrective action to include affected 2018 Honda HR-V AWD vehicles like mine. Thank you for your attention to this matter
- POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
•What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? CVT, yes this is a known issue •How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? On Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 our Honda HRV catastrophically and dangerously failed. Our Honda HRV Navi is the all-wheel-drive (AWD) and we are the original owners. It shuddered and dropped speed from almost 70 mph, to about 20 mph, putting us and others at risk for a rear end collision. My wife is traumatized by these events and for being stranded on the side of the road. •Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, it was repaired at a high cost. •Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Honda dealership •Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. This was the first time there was any indication of a problem. The transmission was serviced on March 6th, 2026 at Honda a Honda Dealership. There were NO warnings of problems (i.e. NO slipping or hesitation during acceleration, NO engine revving without speed gain, NO sudden jerking or shuddering when driving, NO delayed engagement unusual noises (whining, grinding, clunking), NO fluid leaks of transmission fluid, and NO overheating or burning smell. When I queried the servicing dealership, I was told the March 6th, 2026 routine maintenance CVT service found no metal shavings or other issues in the transmission fluid. It was a routine scheduled and dealer suggested maintenance. On Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 our Honda HRV catastrophically and dangerously failed. Our Honda HRV Navi is the all-wheel-drive (AWD) and we are the original owners. It shuddered and dropped speed from almost 70 mph, to about 20 mph, putting us at risk for a rear end collision. My wife (the registered owner) is traumatized by these events and for be
- TIRES
The tires on this car are 215-55-R17 94 V, they were purchased through priority tire in September 2024 they were mounted by Mavis Tire in Lockport Illinois on April 28, 2026 while driving on the Illinois Tollway system at 7:30 in the morning the right rear tire started making a loud noise and then a pop sound. Where I proceeded to get over to the shoulder to get over to the shoulder. There was rubber trail all the way along the shoulder, where I pulled over from the tire after changing the tire and putting on the donut, I noticed a split in between the treads and the whole inner sidewall of their tire had blown out these tires were purchased as a set and when I got home, I noticed that three of the four tires were manufactured in 2023 and this tire in 2022. What concerns me is a week before this Card did a trip to Minnesota with a [XXX] grandson in the backseat. My cars are maintained meticulously, and these tires had an approximately 16,000 miles on them. I’ve never been XXX years of driving. Had a tire blowout like this. I contacted priority tire, which told me all they could do is try to help with contacting GT Radial as they are a third-party seller. I have pictures of the tire or it looks like the tire was almost destroyed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- STRUCTURE
Roof and pillar paint peeling
- POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE INFORMATION Year: 2018 Make: Honda Model: HR-V VIN: [XXX] Mileage at Time of Incident: 96,993 Incident Date: 03/10/2026 I am filing this complaint regarding the premature and complete failure of the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) on my 2018 Honda HR-V with approximately 96,993 miles. DESCRIPTION OF FAILURE: The transmission on my 2018 Honda HR-V failed without prior warning. Symptoms included sudden loss of acceleration, vehicle unable to move under its own power, etc. The vehicle was taken to Page Honda of Bloomfield where it was diagnosed with a complete CVT transmission failure. The repair cost totaled $8,873. SAFETY CONCERN: This failure poses a serious safety risk. A sudden loss of transmission function while driving — particularly at highway speeds resulted in loss of vehicle control and created dangerous conditions. This is not a minor mechanical inconvenience; it is a critical safety defect. HONDA'S RESPONSE: I opened a case with Honda Customer Service; Case # XXX requesting goodwill assistance reimbursement for the repair costs. Honda denied my claim. After submitting a formal written demand, Honda agreed to reconsider, but has yet to provide full reimbursement. PATTERN OF FAILURE: I believe this is not an isolated incident. I am aware of other 2018 Honda HR-V owners who have reported the same CVT transmission failure pattern. I urge NHTSA to investigate this and help me with resolving this case. I am happy to provide additional documentation, repair invoices, and correspondence with Honda upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving on the highway when all of a sudden, no warning signs, no sounds/car shaking, anything, my car started lighting up with break system, engine light, parking sign, etc. I didn't know what was going on so I pulled over. When I pulled over, I checked the parking break to see if I might have hit it and I didn't. Then the car wouldn't go. The check engine light and all the break system lights were on and my car wouldn't move. I was stuck on the side of the highway for an hour waiting for my vehicle to be towed to Dover Honda, where I always get my work completed on the car and I complete all my inspections there as well. They advised the CTV Belt snapped and when I asked how this could have happened, because I was just there a few months prior and nothing was said they advised "this just happens" and "there was no way to know". This vehicle has been inspected, multiple times over the past five years that I have owned the car and they never mentioned this could happen without warning.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
On September 17. 2025 I was at a red light on Normandie Avenue and Exposition Blvd the light turned green and as I was entering the intersection going southbound my doors on the vehicle started locking and un locking, my dashboard went black and the car shut off, The Braking system malfunction, the airbag did not deploy, my knees hit the bottom part of the dashboard and my mouth hit the steering wheel knocking out several teeth. The dashboard only had an airbag code, a brake code and a vehicle with the doors opened on the screen. I had the car towed to my home and informed my insurance company of the incident, they referred me to a body shop who held my vehicle for 5 months after doing the body work, they labeled my vehicle unsafe to drive because the codes are still on the vehicle, not knowing that this body shop doesn't do electrical work. I reached out to Honda several times because they were the last ones to work on my vehicle for the fuel pump recall, but they noted VSA\ABS for the last couple of weeks I finally talked with Service Manager Marvin Cabrera and he directed me to American Honda Motors and after reaching out to them since the 3rd of February, they keep telling me about appointing an investigation inspection with the FTS (field technical specialist) and I have not received any updates about my vehicle. These are the codes that came up while using the scan tool U0416 Invalid Data Received from vehicle Dynamics Control Module, B00D5 Occupant Classification System Sensor Fault, B0090 Left Frontal Restraints Sensor Incorrect Component Installed
Checking a used Honda HR-V before you buy
The recall, complaint, and safety data above describes the 2018 HR-V in general. To know the condition and history of the specific vehicle you're looking at, check it by VIN. A VIN check shows whether this particular HR-V's recalls are still outstanding, and a full history report adds accident, title, and ownership records the data above can't show.
Before you buy a 2018 Honda HR-V in Alberta:
- Run a free VIN check on the exact vehicle for its own recalls and safety data.
- Run an Alberta Personal Property Registry lien search so you don't inherit debt.
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection.
- If it's a dealer, confirm their AMVIC licence.
See other model years of the Honda HR-V, or browse more Honda models.
2018 Honda HR-V — questions and answers
Does the 2018 Honda HR-V have any recalls?+
Our check found 3 NHTSA recalls associated with the 2018 Honda HR-V. Check the specific vehicle by VIN to see which remain outstanding, since some may already have been repaired. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
How many complaints does the 2018 Honda HR-V have?+
NHTSA lists 15 owner complaints for the 2018 Honda HR-V in our results. Complaints are problems reported by owners and don't always lead to a recall, but a pattern of similar complaints is worth weighing before you buy.
Is the 2018 Honda HR-V safe?+
The 2018 Honda HR-V has an overall NHTSA crash-test rating of 5. Review the front-crash, side-crash, and rollover ratings above, and pair safety ratings with a mechanical inspection of the specific vehicle.
How do I check a 2018 Honda HR-V VIN?+
Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN into our free VIN check to see recalls, complaints, and safety ratings for that exact vehicle, then run an Alberta Personal Property Registry (PPR) lien search before you pay.
Are recall repairs on a Honda free?+
Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no cost by a franchised Honda dealer, even for a used vehicle and even if you're not the original owner. Confirm the required parts are in stock before relying on the fix.
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