2022 Honda HR-V Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2022 HR-V most often describe electrical no-start and battery-drain events, sudden losses of power while driving, and brake or throttle behavior that feels unpredictable at low speed. Transmission complaints cluster at much higher mileage, where owners report the CVT failing without warning and dealers quoting a full replacement. Steering and driver-assist complaints are fewer but describe symptoms that appear repeatedly and at low mileage.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   CVT failure with loss of drive

   • 14 complaints (16%)
   • median 98,982 mi at 3.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2024–2026

   Complaints describe the CVT slipping or failing so the engine revs without the vehicle moving, sometimes preceded by unusual noises and sometimes with no warning at all. Owners report the vehicle being towed and dealers diagnosing belt deterioration or complete transmission failure, with replacement quotes in the several-thousand-dollar range. Mostly reported well past 60,000 miles, with several cases near or above 100,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the CVT fluid was changed on schedule and request any transmission-related service records. A used-car inspection that checks for slipping, delayed engagement, and unusual noise is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On Thursday, July 30, 2026, while driving my 2022 Honda HR-V at approximately 70 mph in the fast lane of the highway, my vehicle suddenly, without warning lost all power. The speedometer immediately dropped to 0 mph, and the vehicle would not accelerate despite pressing the accelerator. There were no warning lights illuminated before the incident, and the vehicle had shown no previous signs of transmission problems or drivability issues. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11754134, filed 2026-08

   “I am reporting a transmission failure in my 2022 Honda HR-V at approximately 129,000 miles. While driving on the interstate highway at normal speed, the vehicle suddenly began revving excessively without accelerating. The engine RPM increased, but the vehicle failed to maintain proper speed or respond as expected. This occurred without any prior warning signs or indicators. Shortly after, the vehicle continued to have issues where it would shift into gear but not properly move or engage. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11726506, filed 2026-03
2. 2
   Engine

   Sudden loss of power / stalling while driving

   • 12 complaints (13%)
   • median 17,000 mi at 1.9 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Complaints describe the vehicle dropping to a crawl or cutting out at highway speed, sometimes with the accelerator pressed to the floor and no response, and occasionally with several warning lights appearing at once. Owners report several dealer visits where the problem could not be reproduced or was addressed with a software reset, and in some cases the symptom returned afterward. Reported across a wide mileage range, with many around 15,000 to 30,000 miles and some within the first few thousand miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service history showing whether any PCM software update or relearn was performed, and whether stored diagnostic codes were documented. A test drive should include a sustained highway stretch.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased the vehicle on 2/17/22 and shortly afterwards started noticing problems starting with acceleration car wouldn’t go past 45 mph or lower. The car radio system has static can’t get reception; the battery died requiring a jump. On 9/21/22 and January 10, 2023 I took car to dealer about these problems and other concerns and they said couldn’t verify my concerns. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11523038, filed 2023-05

   “When driving on the highway at around 76 mph, the vehicle suddenly presents power loss and won't accelerate nor rev even if I step into the pedal all the way (No light in the dashboard). Going in the high speed lane, I had to stop in the shoulder lane and turn off the vehicle. After turning it on again, a couple of minutes later the problem was back. This would be the third time I have had the problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11597428, filed 2024-06
3. 3
   Electrical system

   No-start and battery drain while parked

   • 19 complaints (21%)
   • median 30,000 mi at 3.6 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle failing to start after sitting, sometimes needing repeated attempts or a jump start, and batteries being replaced without solving the problem. Several complaints mention multiple warning lights on the cluster, and some report water intrusion or corrosion near the fuse box as a possible contributor. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 55,000 miles, sometimes after cold weather or heavy rain.

   What to check: Ask whether the battery has been replaced and whether a parasitic draw test was ever performed. Check the floors and under-dash area for signs of water entry or corrosion.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On Thursday last week, I went out to my car that I have parked in the garage the day before I had no issues with the vehicle drove it all day, but on Thursday, I left home to go out to make some errands hopped in my car and I tried to start it. First car wouldn’t turn on, so I thought maybe I should turn off headlights and interior lights. Then I waited a few minutes and thought maybe the cold temperatures was messing with the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11634363, filed 2025-01

   “The contact owns a 2022 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact waited before restarting the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart immediately, and several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the battery had failed. The battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle failed to start when the vehicle was parked. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11665221, filed 2025-06, 55,200 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake lights, warnings, and pedal behavior

   • 17 complaints (19%)
   • median 7,000 mi at 0.9 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Complaints describe a cluster of brake, parking-brake, and emissions warnings appearing together, sometimes with the vehicle limited to low speed or refusing to move out of gear. Some owners report the brake pedal extending further than expected or the vehicle continuing to roll when braking on snow or ice, and dealers variously reset software, serviced calipers, or could not reproduce the concern. Often reported under 10,000 miles, with some cases in cold or wet conditions.

   What to check: Ask whether any brake-related software updates or caliper service were done, and check the brake fluid level and pedal feel during a test drive, including a stop from highway speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Just bought This 2022 HRV AWD EX back in October 2021. I already have one prior issue with the emissions problems and the brake system. When I took it to Honda they said they would take care of it and they did. Something about calibration and getting a part for my car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11453119, filed 2022-02

   “Car parked. When I went to drive, engine light, ((P))! Light and park light remained on. The car would NOT go into reverse. Turned car off. Turned car back on. After 15-20 mins car went into reverse. While driving on I-95 all 3 lights turned on with the Park light blinking. I pulled onto shoulder. Googled causes. I checked gas cap which was on tightly. This is extremely concerning as it states there is a problem with the electrical braking system. I purchased the car on December 11th 2021 and it’s already having issues. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11444352, filed 2021-12
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Unexpected acceleration or surging at low speed

   • 7 complaints (8%)
   • median 17,000 mi at 1.8 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe the engine revving and the vehicle lurching forward while the brake is applied, or accelerating on its own shortly after starting from a stop. Several complaints mention a collision or a near miss, and dealers generally report being unable to duplicate the behavior. Reported mostly at low mileage, often within the first few thousand miles of ownership.

   What to check: During a test drive, note whether engine speed rises unexpectedly when creeping or braking at low speed, and ask whether any throttle or pedal-related service was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Subject: Safety Complaint – 2022 Honda HR‑V – Intermittent Unintended Acceleration While Braking I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious safety defect in my 2022 Honda HR‑V. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has unexpectedly accelerated while I was pressing the brake pedal. This behavior is intermittent, unpredictable, and dangerous. Description of the Issue: While slowing down or coming to a stop, the vehicle will occasionally surge forward despite my foot being firmly on the brake. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11713592, filed 2026-01

   “This accident took place on April 19, 2022 - - ten days after I took possession of my new 2022 Honda HR-V Sport from the dealership - - sudden unintended acceleration. The facts are I came home on April 19, 2022. I drove slowly up the driveway. I stopped. I inched forward. I stepped lightly on the gas pedal. Then the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning at high speed. The hard-hitting impact resulted in damage to the front of my vehicle. The building supplies on the driveway took the full impact of the accident. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11463644, filed 2022-05

Buying note. Check the service history for transmission fluid changes, any PCM software updates, and whether battery or charging issues were investigated rather than just replaced. Because several complaints describe power loss or throttle behavior that dealers could not reproduce, a thorough test drive at both low and highway speeds is worth more than a short lot loop.

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.