The Honda HR-V Years To Avoid
We deep-dive into the three Honda HR-V years to avoid. See which years (and what problems make them unreliable).
The Honda HR-V is a subcompact crossover SUV that aims to balance style, efficiency, and versatility. The HR-V is designed for urban adventures and long road trips and boasts a sleek, almost-compact car design, advanced safety features, and Honda’s renowned engineering. Its spacious interior, innovative Magic Seat, and advanced infotainment system are just a few of the features that make it stand out.
Within Honda’s extensive lineup, the HR-V comfortably sits between the smaller and now-defunct Honda Fit and the larger CR-V. Targeted towards young professionals and small families, the HR-V offers a more compact alternative to the CR-V while still providing more utility than a standard small car, like ample interior space and higher driving position.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE HONDA HR-V
Read on to learn more about the most reliable Honda HR-V year options available today, the ones you should avoid, and other valuable information you should understand before buying.
If you’re interested in a used Honda HR-V, you’re probably wondering about its reliability.
Although Honda is known for making vehicles with good long-term reliability and durability, some HR-V years are less reliable than others. So for today’s post, we walk you through the worst Honda HR-V years to avoid.
Which Honda HR-V Years To Avoid?
According to RepairPal, the Honda HR-V is the most reliable model of seven subcompact SUVs, earning a perfect 5.0 out of 5.0 rating. But as mentioned, some years should be cautiously approached due to various reliability woes and many complaints. Below are the Honda HR-V years to avoid if you can help it:
- 2016 Honda HR-V
- 2018 Honda HR-V
- 2019 Honda HR-V
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2016 Honda HR-V
The 2016 Honda HR-V is worth the double-take since it’s the first production model year. Debut models are the first versions of a new model or a significant redesign to hit the roads. As such, they might have issues or glitches that the manufacturer wasn’t aware of or couldn’t test in controlled environments. That certainly rings true for the 2016 Honda HR-V.
CarComplaints.com says the 2016 HR-V is the worst model year of the subcompact SUV, having the highest number of complaints at 285 reports and two recalls. Unfortunately, many of its issues are quite severe or, at worst, obnoxious to deal with.
Electrical Issues
According to various complaints, the 2016 Honda HR-V struggled with electrical system issues. Below are some of the problems reported as per CarComplaints:
- Gauge control unit issues: Some owners experienced a blank dashboard due to a malfunction in the Gauge Control Unit, leading to significant repair costs.
- Display flickering: The electronic optometry, mileage, and gas gauge displays have been reported to flash, especially in cooler climates, causing visibility concerns.
- Push-to-Start button malfunctions: A recurring issue among several owners is the intermittent malfunction of the push-to-start button, leading to difficulties in starting the vehicle.
- Key fob issues: Some owners faced challenges with the key fobs not working correctly, which prevented the car from starting in some cases.
- On/Off push button concerns: There were reports of the car’s on/off push button not consistently working with the key fob, causing the vehicle to sometimes shut off unexpectedly.
- Transmission and start/stop switch problems: A notable incident involved a car stopping on the highway due to a transmission issue accompanied by a malfunctioning start/stop switch.
- Instrument cluster malfunctions: Issues with the instrument cluster decoding or malfunctioning, especially in cold conditions, were reported.
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Transmission Issues
The 2016 Honda HR-V has multiple complaints related to its transmission, making it a significant concern for this model year. Owners reported a range of issues, from noises and rough shifting to the transmission slipping or getting stuck in gear. This variety indicates that the problems aren’t isolated to one specific transmission component.
These issues worsened because they arise at relatively low mileages, around 5,000 to 8,000 miles, indicating potential manufacturing or design flaws. Given the early onset of these transmission problems, we highly recommend a professional inspection before buying a used 2016 Honda HR-V.
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2018 Honda HR-V
The 2016 HR-V is about as worst as it can get for the subcompact SUV. We’ve hesitated to include the 2018 model for this list of Honda HR-V years to avoid since it’s overall a very reliable vehicle. However, it does have its fair share of reliability woes that buyers should know.
According to CarComplaints, the 2018 Honda HR-V has received 78 complaints and two recalls. Compared to the debut model year, the 2018 HR-V has fewer complaints and less severe issues.
Based on the complaints, the main issue of the 2018 HR-V lies with its service brakes. Owners have reported that while driving on bumpy roads or over any bump, the brake pedal jitters heavily, giving a feeling that the brakes might give out. A report also describes while pressing the brakes, the car wouldn’t stop and make loud noises. The vehicle had to be pressed down hard multiple times to stop.
Engine problems are also a concern for this model year, but there’s no indication that it’s widespread. Some owners experienced a sudden loss of engine power while driving on highways which is a considerable safety risk. Reports of knocking noises, pedal issues, and engine overheating were also prevalent, while some owners reported that pressing the brake pedal caused an increase in RPMs instead of slowing the vehicle down.
Despite these issues, the 2018 Honda HR-V is a fairly reliable compact SUV. However, it’s worth approaching with caution when buying a used unit.
2019 Honda HR-V
Like the previous model year, the 2019 Honda HR-V by itself is a reliable vehicle but has some problems that may affect your ownership experience. CarComplaints has documented 81 complaints and four recalls for the 2019 Honda HR-V.
The prominent trouble spot of this SUV is its fuel propulsion system. A few reports claimed the fuel gauge went blank upon starting the car, requiring a restart and pressing the oil life button to restore it. Also, reports stated the digital gauge, including the odometer and fuel gauge, would randomly go blank, preventing the driver from knowing the fuel level.
Thankfully, many issues of the 2019 Honda HR-V are relatively minor and far from being prevalent to be a concern.
Frequently Asked Questions: Honda HR-V Years To Avoid
Q: Are there any Honda HR-V model years that should be avoided?
A: Yes, while Honda is known for producing vehicles with good long-term reliability and durability, some Honda HR-V years are less reliable than others. The model years to approach cautiously include 2016, 2018, and 2019.
Q: Why is the 2016 Honda HR-V considered the worst model year?
A: The 2016 Honda HR-V, being the first production model year, has numerous complaints and recalls. Many of the reported issues are severe or frustrating, making it the worst model year for the subcompact SUV.
Q: What are some of the electrical issues reported for the 2016 Honda HR-V?
A: Owners of the 2016 HR-V have reported various electrical problems, such as gauge control unit malfunctions resulting in blank dashboards, display flickering in cooler climates, push-to-start button issues, key fob malfunctions, on/off push button concerns, transmission and start/stop switch problems, and instrument cluster glitches.
Q: Are there any notable issues with the 2019 Honda HR-V?
A: Although the 2019 HR-V is generally considered a reliable vehicle, it has some problems that may affect the ownership experience. The main trouble spot for this model year is the fuel propulsion system, with reports of the fuel gauge going blank upon starting the car and the digital gauge randomly going blank.
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