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Honda HR-VModel year report

2023 Honda HR-V Problems

Compared with other Honda HR-V years

More complaints than typical for this model

100/100 12× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 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
687filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
13,500miles, 69 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
28 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 26 city / 32 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2023 Honda HR-V (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2023 Honda HR-V report one dominant problem: the rear glass shattering, often with a loud pop and no impact, sometimes shortly after the rear defroster or remote start was used. The complaints come in at low mileage, mostly in the first year of ownership, with smaller clusters describing steering that will not return to center or feels stiff.

  1. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Rear window glass shattering on its own

    • 442 complaints (64%)
    • median 13,000 mi at 1.2 yrs old (55 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2023–2026

    Complaints describe the rear hatch glass breaking suddenly with a loud pop or bang, often while driving, parked, or shortly after starting the vehicle or switching on the rear defroster. Owners say nothing struck the glass, and in several cases they found the panel had broken into small pieces with glass inside the cargo area. Dealers are described as referring owners to glass shops, wrapping the opening, or telling them there was no open recall; some owners say the glass was on backorder. Mostly reported between roughly 5,000 and 25,000 miles, often within the first year of ownership and in a range of weather, with several cases shortly after the defroster or remote start was used.

    8 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask the seller whether the rear glass has ever been replaced and, if so, keep the receipt. Before buying, switch on the rear defroster and inspect the glass edges for cracks or separation from the frame.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The contact owns a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the rear defogger was activated and within 3 minutes, the rear windshield exploded. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Safelite Auto Glass and repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.”

    NHTSA complaint #11565052, filed 2024-01, 14,000 miles

    “The contact owns a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving and exiting the driveway, the rear windshield glass fractured without impact. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.”

    NHTSA complaint #11568437, filed 2024-01, 8,000 miles
  2. Steering

    Steering wheel stiff or slow to return to center

    • 73 complaints (11%)
    • median 23,000 mi at 2.3 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2023–2026

    Owners describe the steering feeling stiff or sticking while driving, and the wheel not coming back to center after a turn. Some complaints mention the vehicle being hard to steer at speed or in an evasive maneuver, and one owner says a dealer diagnosed a steering rack that needed replacement. Several owners note they had received a steering recall notice but were told the parts were not yet available. Reported from about 7,000 miles upward, with many cases in the 20,000 to 75,000 mile range and some at highway speeds.

    Recall 24V7440001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask whether the steering gearbox recall (24V744000) has been completed and request the repair paperwork. On a test drive, turn the wheel and check that it returns to center smoothly at low and highway speed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The contact owns a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at approximate 65 MPH, the steering wheel was jerking and was sticking. The contact stated that her husband had to forcibly hold the steering wheel. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that when the failure first occurred, the vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for a diagnostic test or repair. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11587415, filed 2024-05, 5,000 miles

    “The contact owns a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V744000 (Steering) and 23V782000 (Seat Belts); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to steer while driving. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was significantly concerned for his safety while driving the vehicle. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11629743, filed 2024-12, 6,950 miles

Buying note. The rear glass failures are the most frequently reported item for this model year, so confirm the rear window's history and defroster condition before buying. Also ask for proof that the steering gearbox and seat belt recalls have been done, since owners report parts availability delays.

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 687 consumer complaints for the 2023 Honda HR-V. 69 of the complaints include a mileage, and 94% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 13,500 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 26 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 100 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than 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: Fuel system (4), Air bags (3), Exterior lighting (3), Seats (3), Tires (3), Wheels (3), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (2), Suspension (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Had my car parked in my house garage. Drove out of garage to go to work. While waiting on garage to close, heard an explosion and realized my back windshield shattered. When I got out to inspect and take pictures, it shattered even more. Took to dealership. Waiting to hear back from Honda corporate. Tired of issues with this car.”

NHTSA complaint #11713776, filed 2026-01

Other or unknown: “I was driving to work at 6:52am when my rear windshield spontaneously shattered. There was no proof of impact or anything when I inspected the windshield. I did not have my rear defroster on nor did I rinse my car with hot water prior to driving. I do have photos and videos but the link will not allow me to upload, the button disappears when I click it.”

NHTSA complaint #11562979, filed 2024-01

Steering: “When i am driving my 2023 Honda HRV my steering wheel becomes sticky and jerky. By being sticky i have to jerk the sterring wheel and that makes the vehilce swerve a bit. I have spoke to the delearship and was advised that they have not gotten any recalls for that issue.There was no messages and this started sometime in september of 2023. I see on the Honda HRV forum, that there are several others that are having this issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11559316, filed 2023-12

Body and structure: “Rear window shattered randomly on a cool day with the rear defrost on. I was parked and bearded a boom and looked back and my rear window was shattered. No damage to the vehicle, no accident with vehicle, and object thrown at window. The window just shattered randomly. I’ve read this is a common issue with this year and model, I’ve heard the rear defrost overheats and shatters the glass.”

NHTSA complaint #11547869, filed 2023-10

Mileage when problems were reported

94% of the 69 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,000 and 22,897 miles.

25%0–1054%10–2516%25–504%50–751%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (69 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 13,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

This model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

2023385202420252026
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 2023 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 FWD★★★★★5 / 4554 · 14.0% risk
HR-V · SUV AWDnot rated5 / 455—

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2023 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.

Neighbouring years: 2022: same overall rating; 2024: 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 2023 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 AWD2.0L 4-cylCVT253027$2,500
HR-V FWD2.0L 4-cylCVT263228$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 2023 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. 26 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 26 bulletins →

Other model years of the Honda HR-V

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202768,5350—28—Too new
2026196,6000528—Too new
2025486,6661528Too new to compareToo new
202411011,4904528Too new to compareToo new
202368713,5003528100 · MoreToo new
20228914,000353060 · TypicalRising
20216424,500453034 · FewerRising
20208537,000553033 · FewerRising
201923725,000753082 · 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 2023 Honda HR-V?

Owners of the 2023 Honda HR-V report one dominant problem: the rear glass shattering, often with a loud pop and no impact, sometimes shortly after the rear defroster or remote start was used. The issues reported most often: Rear window glass shattering on its own; Steering wheel stiff or slow to return to center.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2023 Honda HR-V have?

NHTSA recorded 687 consumer complaints for the 2023 Honda HR-V as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2023 Honda HR-V is reported most often?

Visibility is named most often, in 397 complaints (58% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 214.

Has the 2023 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 2023 Honda HR-V do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2023 Honda HR-V 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2023 Honda HR-V get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Honda HR-V (HR-V FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 28 mpg combined, 26 city and 32 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2023 Honda HR-V reported?

Among the 69 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 13,500 miles and the middle half falls between 10,000 and 22,897 miles; 94% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.