Skip to content

Free public service · Official NHTSA & EPA data

2017 Honda HR-V Complaints

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

120

Total

13

Crashes

0

Fires

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

Most Reported Components

ENGINE
36
OTHER
21
ELECTRICAL
20
STRUCTURE
12
BRAKES
11

Recent Complaints

ODI #11747739

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 06/02/2026

SAFETY HAZARD NOTIFICATION: INTERMITTENT IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE & STRAND RISK I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding a known manufacturing defect in the ignition start/stop switch of my 2017 Honda HR-V. This component is suffering from an intermittent failure that creates an unpredictable and immediate strand risk, compromising driver safety by leaving the vehicle unable to start or power down correctly in potentially hazardous or isolated environments. Manufacturer American Honda Motor Co. is fully aware of this systemic defect, having issued Technical Service Bulletin TSB 20-116 (Diagnostic Trouble Code DTC B12C5) specifically addressing ignition start/stop switch failure. Despite this being a documented engineering flaw admitted by the manufacturer, American Honda Case Management (Case 16436837) is actively enforcing predatory financial barriers to prevent remediation. They are refusing to issue a conditional diagnostic waiver to verify the code, choosing instead to force an upfront out-of-pocket dealer diagnostic fee onto the consumer with no guarantee of goodwill coverage. Furthermore, corporate representatives handling this file on July 1, 2026, actively refused to provide their names or employee identification numbers when requested. I request that NHTSA review this case file and investigate American Honda’s bad-faith deployment of cost barriers to intentionally depress the reporting and remediation of a documented, safety-critical manufacturing defect.

ODI #11742593

POWER TRAIN — Filed 03/26/2026

THE CVT TRANSMISSION BELT IS BREAKING APART WHICH SUDDENLY SLOWED THE CAR WHILES DRIVING ON A FREEWAY, AMERICAN HONDA QUIETLY SENT NEW BULLETIN TO DEALERS WITHOUT INFORMING ME AS A OWNER OF THIS CAR FROM 02/2019. AMERICAN HONDA NEW ANOUT THE BELT DETERIORATION AND DID NOT TOOK STEPS TO SAFEQUARD MY INVESTMENT, LIKE ADVISING TO CHANGE TRANSMISSION FLUIS MORE FREQUESNTLY THAN MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATIONS. THIS IS LACK OF COPORATE GREED AND WHEN I ASKED FOR A GOODWILL REPAIR THEY DENIED IT WITHOUT ANY REMORSE OF THEIR WRONG DOING. AN APOLOGY WOULD HAVE BEEN ACCETABLE. SINCE AMERICAN HONDA ID NOT CORRECTING THERIR ACT, IAM REQUESTING NHSA TO ADVISE DMV TO NOT RENEW THESE UNSAFE CARS UNTIL HONDA FIXES ITS PROBLEMS.

ODI #11741082

POWER TRAIN — Filed 05/11/2026

The car suddenly was unable to move forward or back even though engine was still running. I was able to roll to a stop in the parking lot at work, but moments before had been on the highway. Tow truck driver noted cap to transmission fluid had popped off. The car was towed to Honda dealer which determined new transmission needed. Even though there had been Honda technical service bulletins describing issues with transmissions for Honda HRVs for years 2016 to 2020, both the dealership (not purchased there), corporate Honda and dealer where car was purchased, all refused to pay for the problem.

ODI #11738312

POWER TRAIN — Filed 05/14/2026

cVT transmission failure Honda Eatontown diagnosed and gave 8400 estimate to replace/repair it

ODI #11737980

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 05/14/2026

While driving, starting from a stop sign / or traffic light, the vehicle will stall out upon light acceleration. Going through the recall information, it appears that many 2017 Honda HRV and 2018 Honda HRV have a safety recall for the fuel pump ( located inside the fuel tank / under the drivers seat). For whatever reason, my HRV is not included in the recall but suffers from the exact same problems as the recalled vehicles. This has happened numerous times, in light traffic and in extremely heavy traffic where my life was put in danger by this stalling issue.

ODI #11737460

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 05/01/2026

BCM module failure. Car controls flash on and off. Vehicle won’t start. Alarm goes off randomly.

ODI #11732977

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 04/22/2026

issues with my car paint peeling. many hondas and other makes have had issues with the white paint peeling off in specks and in sheets

ODI #11730064

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 03/10/2026

Dear American Honda Motor Co., Inc. ,I am writing to formally document my experience with a premature failure of the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) in my Honda HR-V. The vehicle was covered under the extended warranty program Honda implemented specifically for the known CVT issues affecting 2016–2020 model years.In On 3/10/26 the CVT failed at approximately 96,000 miles. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Honda dealership, where technicians confirmed premature belt deterioration and breakage. Prior to the failure, I had the vehicle serviced at the dealership for the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software update outlined in Honda Service Bulletin 21-047. During that visit, I reported a noticeable burning smell, which I now believe originated from the failing transmission belt. The dealership assured me there were no issues and stated that the software update had adjusted the gear ratio to reduce strain on the transmission. The vehicle was returned to me with no further action recommended. Subsequent communication with American Honda revealed that the company had been aware of widespread CVT belt issues in these model years. Rather than issue a full recall, Honda extended the powertrain warranty to 7 years or 150,000 miles (whichever occurs first). My repeated attempts to escalate the matter with Honda Customer Service, including multiple requests for contact information for a regional manager, were unsuccessful. After several weeks of delays—during which my vehicle remained at the dealership for over 20 +days—Honda Corporate initially offered to cover a remanufactured CVT replacement at a cost of $4,500 to me. The dealership ultimately assisted by reducing my out-of-pocket expense to $2,900.I find it unacceptable that a vehicle with only 96,000 miles required a major transmission replacement costing nearly $3,000, especially after Honda had already acknowledged the defect through a technical service bulletin and an extended warranty. The dealership’s

ODI #11724050

SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE — Filed 12/31/1969

I own a 2017 Honda HR-V with White Orchid Pearl paint (NH-788P) that has experienced significant paint peeling and flaking on the roof, hood, and upper panels despite normal care. This appears to be a known manufacturing defect affecting many vehicles with this paint code. **Honda Motor Company acknowledged the issue in Service Bulletin A19-064 and extended the warranty for paint failure, but Honda refused assistance because my vehicle is slightly outside the warranty period. The defect significantly impacts the vehicle’s appearance, value, and could eventually lead to corrosion. Additionally, my vehicle has had a long-term water leak from the rear hatch/roof area, with water entering the tail lights and interior. The leak has worsened and is now soaking the seats, seatbelts, and headliner inside the vehicle. The dealership says they must remove the headliner and wants to charge 1,500 just for diagnosis, which I cannot afford. I believe this is also a manufacturing defect, as similar roof and water leak problems have been reported by other Honda owners. I am requesting that this issue be investigated and that the manufacturer be held responsible for these defects.

ODI #11723451

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 02/21/2026

There is premature belt deterioration that ultimately caused the transmission to be a complete failure. It has been confirmed by the dealership. My parents were driving down the i95 when this randomly occurred. There was no warning message. TSB 21-047 Warranty Extension: 2016-20 HR-V CVT Premature Belt Deterioration

About This Data

Complaints are filed by vehicle owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They represent individual consumer experiences and do not necessarily indicate a widespread defect.

View on NHTSA.gov