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Honda HR-VModel year report

2018 Honda HR-V Problems

Compared with other Honda HR-V years

Typical for this model

49/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2017, 2020, 2021

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
160filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
28,000miles, 52 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
31 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 28 city / 34 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Honda HR-V (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owner complaints on this model year cluster around two things: an instrument cluster display that goes blank or shows garbled readouts, and the low-pressure fuel pump covered by recall 23V858000, where owners describe brief power loss, stalls and hard starting. Paint peeling on White Orchid Pearl vehicles and CVT problems at higher mileage also come up. Many reports are filed well under 30,000 miles, and several owners note parts for the fuel pump recall were not yet available when they complained.

  1. Fuel system

    Fuel pump recall: stalls, power loss, no start

    • 35 complaints (22%)
    • median 36,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2020–2026

    Several owners link brief losses of motive power, hesitation on acceleration, hard starting and stalling to the fuel pump recall, and a number say the repair part was not available when they complained. Some report the check engine light coming on during these events, and a few describe continued trouble with starting after other parts such as the battery or alternator were replaced. Spread from about 22,000 to 121,000 miles, with many reports in the 28,000-70,000 mile range.

    Recall 23V858000Recall 20V3140002 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether recall 23V858000 and 20V314000 were completed and get the paperwork; a service bulletin describes replacing the fuel pump for impeller swelling. Note any hesitation, long cranking or stall history on a test drive.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Rcv'd recall notice at end of july for fuel pump module with 'out of specification impellers. Overtime, these impellers may absorb an excessive amount of fuel and deform. A deformed impeller may cause the fuel pump to stop working'. Did not receive notification until the end of july 2020 when the recall was set in may 2020. Dealer where I purchased vehicle was unaware of the recall and checked in the beginning of august saying the parts were not yet released by Honda. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11352182, filed 2020-08, 24,000 miles

    “The contact owns a 2018 Honda HR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”

    NHTSA complaint #11614030, filed 2024-09, 121,000 miles
  2. Transmission and drivetrain

    CVT shudder, power loss and failure at mileage

    • 18 complaints (11%)
    • median 95,861 mi at 3.2 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2018–2026

    Complaints describe the car revving without accelerating, dropping into neutral, shuddering at steady throttle, and decelerating sharply on the highway with warning lights on. Some owners say dealers diagnosed a failing CVT and replaced it, while others describe software updates being applied and the problem persisting. Mostly reported between roughly 50,000 and 149,000 miles, often at highway speed.

    8 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether the CVT software update and any extended warranty coverage for the CVT belt were applied, and check for shuddering on a steady-throttle highway drive.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The cv transmission on my 2018 HR-V exhibits an oscillatory increasing and decreasing speed behavior at around 2500 engine RPM when under minimal load, I.e.; going up a small hill. This is prominent on the highway when going up a very slight grade under steady state throttle, but also noticeable at low speed, like 15 MPH, when going up a little bit steeper hill, like my driveway. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11328233, filed 2020-06, 5,000 miles

    “I was driving on the highway and suddenly my 2018 Honda HRV had a power failure, with the dash flashing and loss of acceleration. Luckily, I was able to coast off the highway with hazards on. After numerous power cycles, I was able to get the car into limp mode but could not go over 30mph. I took it to the dealer and was diagnosed to be the known Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) issue. My car is in great condition, with only 97k miles. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11643476, filed 2025-02, 97,639 miles
  3. Electrical system

    Instrument cluster display blank or garbled

    • 17 complaints (11%)
    • median 74,500 mi at 7.1 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2023–2026

    Owners describe the right-hand dashboard display going blank, flickering, or showing nonsensical characters while driving or at startup, which hides the fuel gauge, odometer and temperature readings. Some say it comes back after banging on the dashboard or after ten or more minutes, and others report it stays off. Dealers, according to the complaints, either could not duplicate the fault or told owners the instrument panel or cluster needed replacement at their cost. Reported from roughly 18,000 to 100,000 miles, with several cases in the 30,000-60,000 mile range and some owners noting it in cold temperatures.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Start the car and watch the right-hand display through a full start cycle; ask whether the cluster has ever gone blank and whether it was replaced. A scan tool check for stored cluster codes is worth asking for.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The component on the right of the dash regularly does not display anything which includes fuel level, odometer/mile range, temperature, and time among other information. This has been occurring for over a year. My two biggest issues are that I can't see how much gas I have left and that the odometer isn't always viewable. The gas tank is a constant issue because I worry about getting stranded somewhere because I didn't know. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11590678, filed 2024-05

    “The odometer/gas gauge was shorting out, coming on sometimes and showing partial characters others. It would not come on and stay on as intended. Without the gas gauge it was near impossible to know when the gas had been depleted and I was unable to get the car inpescted without the odometer showing due to the mechanic needing to photograph the mileage for the inspection.”

    NHTSA complaint #11550131, filed 2023-10
  4. Brakes

    Brake pedal feel and stopping distance

    • 9 complaints (6%)
    • median 11,735 mi at 1.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2018–2022

    Owners describe the brake pedal travelling to the floor, brakes failing to stop the car at low speed or in winter weather, and a jittering pedal over bumps. Some reports note uneven rear brake wear and ask whether it relates to the rear caliper recall; dealers either could not duplicate the problem or did not diagnose it. Mostly reported very early, under about 15,000 miles, with a few later reports around 38,000 to 61,000 miles.

    Recall 18V777000

    What to check: Ask whether the rear brake caliper recall 18V777000 was completed, and test the pedal for firmness and travel on a quiet road, including over uneven pavement.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was parking vehicle going less than 5mi/hr entering into parking space. When I pressed the brakes instead of stopping the vehicle accelerated and I hit a post. Please see attached documentation of state farm claim and recall repair completed”

    NHTSA complaint #11194929, filed 2019-04, 1,000 miles

    “Total brake failure in winter weather. Breaks completely fail to stop the vehicle at a speed of 30 miles in winter. Breaks completely fail to stop the vehicle causing a serious crash. When I applied breaks to stop the car at a stop sign the vehicle failed to come to stop as expected and cause a dangerous accident. Unable to control the vehicle I ended up crashing on to the vehicle in the front. The vehicle suffered serious damaged making it a total loss.”

    NHTSA complaint #11196828, filed 2019-04, 11,735 miles
  5. Body and structure

    Pinpoint peeling and flaking paint

    • 13 complaints (8%)
    • median 35,000 mi at 2.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
    • filed 2020–2026

    Owners of White Orchid Pearl cars report clear coat and paint lifting away in patches, starting as small chips on the roof or a door and spreading across panels. Complaints describe dealers attributing it to environmental factors such as tree sap or bird droppings, and owners report being told a paint warranty period had passed with no assistance offered. Mostly reported between about 17,000 and 36,000 miles, often several years after purchase.

    What to check: Inspect roof, door edges and around the windshield for lifting or flaking clear coat, especially on white cars, and ask whether any paint warranty claim was filed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I am submitting this complaint regarding a severe and widespread paint peeling/delamination defect on my 2018 Honda HR-V, which is painted in the White Orchid Pearl (NH-788P) color. Nature of the Defect: The exterior clear coat and base coat are separating from the underlying primer, resulting in large, unsightly patches of paint peeling and flaking off the vehicle's body panels. This is a clear manufacturing adhesion failure, not damage due to wear, tear, or external environmental factors. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11693923, filed 2025-10

    “The paint on my car has started to chip away and will eventually result in rust. I have contacted Honda multiple times and have heard back zero times.”

    NHTSA complaint #11427192, filed 2021-07

Buying note. Check recall status for the fuel pump and rear brake calipers and get written confirmation, then test the dashboard display and CVT behavior on a highway drive. Paint condition on white cars and any CVT service history are worth reviewing before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 160 consumer complaints for the 2018 Honda HR-V. 52 of the complaints include a mileage, and 63% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 28,000 miles. Of all complaints, 11 involved a crash, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 91 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 7 Honda HR-V model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 49 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Electronic stability control (3), Exterior lighting (3), Steering (3), Tires (2), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Suspension (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “About a month and a half after purchasing this vehicle I took my family (wife and kids) on a weekend trip. It was about an 8-hour drive there and 8 hours back. About 3 hours into the trip my left leg started aching where it meets the seat cushion. I made mention of it to my wife and decided to push on with our journey. About 20 minutes later the pain had radiated into my left hip, and lower back. Luckily I had a pillow in the car that was brought for the kids to lean on as they usually nap on these long trips. I have spoken with the dealer and Honda corporate. …”

NHTSA complaint #11140209, filed 2018-10, 1,000 miles

Fuel system: “Bought new last week.only 480 miles so far. There is a strong smell of gasoline when I pull the oil dipstick .gasoline and oil dont mix well together. Worried about mechanical issues as the miles pile on. Thanks.”

NHTSA complaint #11165417, filed 2019-01, 480 miles

Other or unknown: “Infestation of yellow sac spiders found in air conditioning ducts. Spiders enter ducts through tiny crevices in corners between front window and dashboard. Spiders were seen entering and exiting crevices while driving and parked.”

NHTSA complaint #11229141, filed 2019-07, 14,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “At around 55k miles I was on the highway when my car bucked twice and then switched into neutral, I pulled over and turned the car off then on again and all the lights on the dash stayed on but I could switch gears, I called Honda they told me to bring it in and they said it was something to do with the parking brake sensor and pulley system, they replaced it and sent me on my way. Now 4 months later at around 65k miles I'm driving on the highway again and my car just starts revving like crazy and switches into neutral. …”

NHTSA complaint #11318266, filed 2020-03, 55,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

63% of the 52 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 9,800 and 61,000 miles.

27%0–1021%10–2515%25–5015%50–758%75–10013%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (52 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 28,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

20182019202020212022202320243720252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Honda HR-V. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
HR-V · SUV AWD★★★★★4 / 4554 · 13.5% risk
HR-V · SUV FWD★★★★★4 / 4554 · 15.3% risk

Neighbouring years: 2017: same overall rating; 2019: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2018 Honda HR-V version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
HR-V AWD1.8L 4-cylCVT273129$2,300
HR-V AWD1.8L 4-cylCVT273129$2,300
HR-V FWD1.8L 4-cylCVT283431$2,150
HR-V FWD1.8L 4-cylCVT283431$2,150
HR-V FWD1.8L 4-cyl6-speed manual253328$2,400

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2018 Honda HR-V → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 91 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 91 bulletins →

Other model years of the Honda HR-V

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202768,5350—28—Too new
2026207,3000528—Too new
2025486,6661528Too new to compareToo new
202411011,4904528Too new to compareToo new
202368813,5003528100 · MoreToo new
20228914,000353060 · TypicalRising
20216424,500453034 · FewerRising
20208537,000553033 · FewerRising
201924125,614753082 · MoreRising
201816028,000353149 · TypicalRising
201712320,000053125 · FewerRising
201624353,000253151 · TypicalStable

All Honda HR-V model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Honda HR-V?

Owner complaints on this model year cluster around two things: an instrument cluster display that goes blank or shows garbled readouts, and the low-pressure fuel pump covered by recall 23V858000, where owners describe brief power loss, stalls and hard starting. The issues reported most often: Fuel pump recall: stalls, power loss, no start; CVT shudder, power loss and failure at mileage; Instrument cluster display blank or garbled.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Honda HR-V have?

NHTSA recorded 160 consumer complaints for the 2018 Honda HR-V as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2018 Honda HR-V is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 50 complaints (31% of the total), followed by fuel system with 41.

Has the 2018 Honda HR-V been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2018 Honda HR-V do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 Honda HR-V 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Honda HR-V get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Honda HR-V (HR-V FWD, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 31 mpg combined, 28 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Honda HR-V reported?

Among the 52 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 28,000 miles and the middle half falls between 9,800 and 61,000 miles; 63% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.