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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2018 Honda HR-V Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
16about this part
Share
10%of 160 total for the year
Median mileage
96,750miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Honda HR-V, 10% of the 160 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,750 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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. I was at the dealership only a week before for the fuel injector recall, and this transmission issue was not mentioned. …”

NHTSA complaint #11643476, filed 2025-02, 97,639 miles

“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

“Driving at highway speed, the car lost power and would not drive over 40 MPH. I brought it to the dealer and was told the transmission had metal shaving in the fluid and the transmission would need to be replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #11385964, filed 2020-12, 149,000 miles

“I am writing to report a serious safety concern involving my vehicle. The car has exhibited repeated instances of unintended activation while parked and left untouched. Specifically, the entire electrical system—including the dashboard, infotainment, and other electronic components—powers on and off spontaneously without any user interaction. This behavior raises significant safety and reliability concerns, especially when the vehicle is unattended. …”

NHTSA complaint #11682089, filed 2025-08

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026210%
202512%
202433%
202310%
20221921%
202158%
20201416%
2019167%
20181610%
20173226%
20167631%

Other parts of the 2018 Honda HR-V

Electrical system
50 complaintsFuel system
41 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Honda HR-V

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology