2017 Honda HR-V Complaints

STRUCTURE — Filed 09/10/2026

The vehicle has experienced extensive factory paint adhesion failure/delamination. The White Orchid Pearl paint is separating and peeling in large sheets across multiple panels, including the hood, roof/roof-rail areas, and multiple doors. The damage is not consistent with isolated rock chips, scratches, or collision damage. The peeling first began approximately 2½ weeks ago, approximately two years after the expiration of an existing Honda paint-related recall/warranty extension. The timing raises concern that the coverage period may have expired before the underlying paint failure had sufficient time to materially manifest. An independent automotive estimator inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the damage was not caused by me, impact, or user damage and determined that it is a manufacturing defect. A September 28, 2026 estimate documents the necessary repairs at $4,172.02, including substantial body and paint work to the roof and multiple doors. There were no warning lights, messages, or mechanical symptoms. The paint began peeling and has progressively worsened and spread to additional areas. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Honda, and all affected components remain available for inspection. Based on the widespread pattern, independent estimator’s determination, and timing of the failure, my best assessment is premature failure of the factory paint/coating adhesion system due to a manufacturing defect.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 08/08/2026

In 2020/2021 Honda did a * Honda Service Bulletin 21-046 Honda Service Bulletin 21-047. They knew the CVT on models 2016/2021 had early CVT failure. They had us come in to add a program that was supposed to give us warning if the belt was going to break so we had time to get to a mechanic or the dealer before complete failure ; which I had done. On August 8th 2026 I was driving on the highway doing the speed limit of 60 mph in the middle lane, when the CVT completely failed & I could not move the car ! No warning lights (that program was pointless) no prior warnings AT ALL. I did the trans flush every 30,000 miles as they suggested to extended the life of the transmission. My point is that was a catastrophic failure and could have cause a major accident or even a pile up on the highway. Something has to be done about these vechicals ! It’s a major safety concern.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/27/2026

Aug. 27,2026..There has been several episodes of water getting into the interior of my car when it rains. This time the water came rushing down the driver’s side interior windshield & soaked the floor.In July 2026, rain water came in on the roof and went into the rear section of my car, water stains are on the inside roof and soaked the floor. In June 2026, there was water inside the driver’s side that flooded the floor. April 2026, the interior of my car front and back seat on the driver’s side were soaked from rain getting in. I do have a moonroof but there has not been any signs of water or water stains coming in through it. My major concern is the electrical components under the dash that may be affected if this is not resolved. As well as the interior deterioration. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

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.

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.

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.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 05/14/2026

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

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 05/01/2026

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

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

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

STEERING — Filed 05/28/2024

While being driven the steering locked up. It could not be turned. It caused an accident of hitting a parked car. This caused the 2017 HR-V to be totaled. The steering was back to normal after the event.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 05/11/2022

The contact owned a 2017 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and switching to the reverse position while very slowly releasing the brake pedal the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration causing the vehicle to drive in reverse and crash into a tree. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 40,000.

STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 04/26/2019

A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WAS ROCK SOLID AND WOULD NOT BUDGE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING GETTING OFF A HIGHWAY EXIT WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED AND REAR ENDED AN SUV STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED HER BACK INJURY WHICH STILL BOTHERS HER TO THIS DAY. THE CRASH WASN'T BAD ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS, BUT CAR DAMAGE WAS OVER $5000. THIS PROBLEM ALSO HAPPENED TO ME ONCE AND HAPPENED ONCE AGAIN TO HER. THANKFULLY, NO ACCIDENT THESE OTHER TWO TIMES. RELEASING AND ATTEMPTING TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL A FEW TIME EVENTUALLY MADE THE BRAKES WORK NORMALLY. THIS WAS WHEN WE FINALLY DECIDED TO GIVE UP THE LEASE BECAUSE MY WIFE AND I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR ANYMORE. THE CAR WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 10000 MILES ON IT. I AS A MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN B WOULD GUESS THE PROBLEM WAS LIKELY BE CAUSED BY SOMETHING JAMMING UP IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER OR MASTER CYLINDER, BUT THE DEALER WAS NEVER ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NEVER REPLACED ANYTHING.

AIR BAGS — Filed 11/02/2018

IN NOVEMBER 2018, WHILE WAITING IN TRAFFIC, WHEN IT WAS MY TURN TO TURN LEFT, I WAS T-BONED BY A CAR THAT WAS DRIVING ILLEGALLY ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY HEAD HIT THE DRIVER'S WINDOW VERY HARD AND THE LATERAL AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER"S SIDE NEVER DEPLOYED. AT THAT TIME, I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY HONDA, THAT IF YOU ARE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MILES PER HOUR...AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY. RECENTLY, I DISCOVER THAT THE ACCIDENT DAMAGED REALLY BAD MY LEFT EYE, THE SIDE I HIT MY HEAD ON THE WINDOW. LAST MONTH, I NEEDED 3 PROCEDURES AND SURGERY AND I HAVE NOW AN IMPLANT IN MY LEFT EYE. ALL SPECIALISTS I CONSULTED ARE UNANIMOUS THAT ONLY A VERY IMPORTANT IMPACT COULD HAVE CAUSED THAT MUCH DAMAGES, DAMAGES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 05/16/2020

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. WHILE SLOWING DOWN AND BRAKING TO A STOP THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD, JUMPED A CURB AND RAN INTO A ROCK RETAINING WALL. I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, IT GAVE NO RESISTANCE AND DID NOT STOP THE CAR. THE ENGINE WAS REVVING AT A HIGH RATE, EVEN WHILE IT HIT THE WALL. THE REPAIRS WERE OVER $2000 FOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, LIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONER AND RADIATOR SUPPORT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS ABOUT 8-10 FEET FROM THE WALL WHEN IT ACCELERATED. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED. I TOOK IT TO A HONDA DEALER AND ALSO CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA. BOTH THE TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND AN AMERICAN HONDA INSPECTOR CHECKED THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT OTHER THAN A FAILURE OF THE BATTERY DUE TO LOW VOLTAGE THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. *TR

AIR BAGS — Filed 01/30/2020

I WAS JUST DRIVING UP THE HIGHWAY I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND MY AIRBAGS BLEWALL THE BAGS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR AND THE DRIVER SEAT BAG THEY ALL BLEW FOR NO REASON HONDA IS SAYING THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE I REALLY NEED HELP

STEERING,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 12/25/2019

MY DAD HAD A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT LAST NIGHT. HE SAID THERE SEEMS TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BRAKE. WHILE HE APPLIED THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN BEFORE TAKING THE EXIT 9 ON I-395, THE BRAKE WAS SLIPPED AND STEERING WAS LOCKED. AS A RESULT, HE HIT A GUARD RAIL PRETTY STRONG AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS DAMAGED BADLY. LIQUID WERE LEAKING AND THE CAR WAS TOWED, BUT AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A FEW TIMES THE CAR DOESN'T START WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE, SO HE HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE HARDER, AND SOMETIMES THE BRAKE SLIPPED WHILE DRIVING.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 09/04/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HONDA HR-V. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED EXCESSIVELY AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HONDA WORLD WESTMINSTER (13600 BEACH BLVD, WESTMINSTER, CA 92683, (714) 890-8900), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 03/19/2019

HAD ACCIDENT WHEN BRAKES FAILED ABOUT 5 MONTHS AGO. HONDA NEVER ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY. CITED DRIVER ERROR. GOT CAR BACK. DRIVE ABOUT 4 MONTHS. BRAKES FAILED AGAIN MARCH 19, 2019. SAME EXACT CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS TIME I KEPT MY FOOD ON PEDAL I DEPRESSED UNTIL CAR HIT PARKED CAR. MY FOOT WAS ON BRAKE PEDAL. SO FAR HRV'S FROM 2016, 18 AND 19 HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 08/01/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HONDA HR-V. WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND CRASHED THROUGH A CHAIN LINK FENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW THE DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY EMAIL AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500.

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS — Filed 03/14/2018

I WAS WAITING ON THE LIGHT TO MAKE A LEFT ON A CITY STREET WHEN A VEHICLE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ME HEAD ON AND HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR. THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT THAT IT BEND THE FRAME, THE HOOD, LIGHTS AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF MY CAR. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND AS A RESULT I WAS INJURED BY THE SEAT BELT IN THE LOWER ABDOMEN, HAVE BACK PAIN, FEEL DIZZY AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE.

AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 07/27/2017

I WAS REAR-ENDED AS I WAS STATIONARY WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN ON A HIGHWAY NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. FAULT THE 17 YEAR WAS TAILGATING A TRACTOR AND SLAMMED INTO MY CAR.POLICE CAME I WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 06/19/2017

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A SIGN, FLATTENING IT. IT MOVED WITH GREAT SPEED.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 02/18/2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 HONDA HR-V. WHILE REVERSING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY ONTO A PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY WITHOUT WARNING AND COLLIDED WITH THREE VEHICLES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE DATA BOX INFORMATION REMOVED, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER LATER AUTHORIZED THE DEALER TO COMPLY WITH THE DATA REMOVAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,342.