Worse than most HR-V years
Owners filed about 1.7 times as many complaints as a typical HR-V year. The main thing to watch is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 42,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2020 and 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other HR-V years from 2016 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 242 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Honda HR-V. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (67, 28% of complaints), followed by the fuel system and the driver assist systems. That ranks 3rd of 9 HR-V years from 2016 to 2024 for complaints. It has 7 recalls.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2019 Honda HR-V before you buy.
Electrical system
67 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
The vehicle dash cluster flickers and goes completely out. When this happens you can not see the mileage or how much fuel you have. This is a known problem and even my local dealer has seen a few and Honda will not stand behind the problem. The dealership wants over two thousand dollars to replace the cluster and they charge me $80 to…Owner complaint, filed 2026
My gas instrument panel gauge works intermittently. This gauge shows the gas level, temperature and mileage information. There were no symptoms of this problem. A lot of the time the instrument panel that shows gas level, temperature and mileage information is blank. I feel this is a safety problem. Honda does know about this problem. If…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Fuel system
65 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 28,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
I own a 2019 Honda HR-V, VIN [XXX]. My vehicle required replacement of the fuel pump motor associated with Honda’s fuel-pump recall. On XXX, I had the fuel pump replaced at Firestone Complete Auto Care because the recall repair had not been performed on my vehicle. The fuel pump cost $969.77, and the total repair cost was approximately…Owner complaint, filed 2026
It started as all the dashboard lights came on, and the car smelled like gasoline. Then when I would fill up my gas tank, it would only go to 3/4 of a tank and the gas fumes increased. I was parked at the VCU campus parking lot when the gas started to leak out of the bottom of the car. The fire department came and said I could not drive…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Driver assist systems
38 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Adaptive cruise control (21), Warnings (20), Automatic emergency braking (18).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
Defective front-facing camera located above the rear view mirror, used by several car safety systems, fails intermittently causing the dashboard to emit persistent visual and audio warnings. This is a 2019 HRV-EX with approx. 60,000 miles. It happens most frequently when the car interior is hot. The cacophony is so overwhelming that it…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The Multipurpose Camera Unit/Millimeter Wave Radar Internal Electronic system has failed (confirmed by Honda service center). When I start my car, I now get several warnings that multiple systems are out, including but not limited to the automatic emergency breaking, forward collision warning, and many other safety features. Upon…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
19 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 4,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
2019 Honda HRV with 14,539 miles has been showing on the instrumentation brake failure; this warning only lasts 1/2 to 1 second with a chirp warning . Took to vehicle Honda dealership twice under warranty and could not be replicated. August 2025 took the vehicle to a local repair garage; replaced the two rear caliber motors and the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Received dash warning "Brake Hold System Problem" ."Electric parking brake system problem parking brake not available. See your dealer".Owner complaint, filed 2021
Engine and cooling
17 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 10,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2019 Honda HR-V. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed with cylinder head, head gaskets, and gasket kit failures. In addition, the contact was informed that the coolant…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 95,859 miles
My 2019 HR-V transmission is suffering from the premature CVT belt deterioration outlined in Honda's internal service bulletins TSB 21-047. My car has 99,000 miles and Honda refuses to replace the faulty transmission. The intermittent loss of acceleration poses an immediate safety hazard when merging onto highways or navigating heavy…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 8,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
At approximately 100000mi my car was diagnosed by a honda dealer with premature catastrophic failure of the CVT. This failure can happen while the vehicle is traveling highway speeds causing immediate full loss of motive power creating an extreme safety hazard. No symptoms or warning ahead of time.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Premature catastrophic failure of the CVT while driving; yes, it is available for inspection upon request. I am [XXX], and was driving with my husband in New Jersey. We were in the middle of driving, when the car suddenly failed to move anymore. Cars behind us had to swerve off the road to avoid colliding with us. The problem has been…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Air bags
14 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
> I own a 2019 Honda HR-V with almost 60,000 miles. > > A diagnostic scan showed multiple airbag (SRS) codes, including B00C0 for the front passenger's weight sensor, along with B0001, B0002, B0010, B0011, B0070, B0072, and U3000. The SRS warning light is on. > > This appears to be the same front passenger seat weight sensor defect…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the SRS warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the front passenger’s seat occupant detection sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 84,000 miles
Body, doors and structure
12 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Body (11).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The paint on the body of my vehicle has been chipping away, enlarged chunks randomly. When it rains or there is moisture in the air it’s causing the body to rust.Owner complaint, filed 2026
2019 Honda HR-V EX-L White exterior. Paint peeled off roof. front of roof (area between sunroof/moonroof and front windshield).Owner complaint, filed 2026
Cruise control and acceleration
10 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2019 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while slowly pulling into a parking space, while in the process of depressing the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into a building. There were no reported injuries, fire, or an air bag deployment. A Police report was filed. There…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 38,500 miles
Twice I was interstate speed driving and lost speed the first time I thought it was the fuel system. The car was towed to the dealership and after they " checked it out" , they told me all they found was a weak battery. The second time was a few days ago but this time, I was revving the engine as I was trying to get my car off the…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Steering
8 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2019 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to operate as needed on several occasions. The contact stated that occasionally there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle for an Emissions test. The contact stated that it was determined that the vehicle had failed the inspection due to a steering box failure. The contact stated that the failure of the part occurred every two years, and the current failure was the third…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Lights, wipers and visibility
5 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2019 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, there was an abnormal gunshot sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that shards of glass fell onto the dashboard from the sunroof. The contact pulled over and upon inspection of the vehicle discovered a hole in…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 50,000 miles
The sun visor (Driver side) has become difficult to operate. Also, the sun visor does not close flush to the cabin roof. The sun visor is not operating as it should. I reached out to Honda but since there is no recall and this repair is outside of the warranty period, they will not make the repair at their cost. I do not want to purchase…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Seats and seat belts
4 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
My drivers seat creeks when I get in and out of the vehicle. Also the drivers seat doesn’t stay elevated over time. I pump the seat up before I enter the vehicle to my desired level that is comfortable for me. However going on long drives the seat slowly goes back down again. The next day would often feel like I am sitting out the floor…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I bought my car brand new off the lot in March 2021, it is a 2021 Honda HRV sport all wheel drive. I've been noticing over the past year that the lever to my seat has been changing the amount of times you need to pump it and the height at which it goes. When I first got the car I want to say that it pumped around 5 to 8 times, now I must…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Suspension
2 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
The vehicle developed a rattle and I took it to the dealer and was told that both rear shocks and dampers had to be replaced. When I went to pick up my vehcile, there was another vehicle that was the exact same year and model there with the same issue. My car has only 24,731 miles and was our of warranty by 1 month. This seams too…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Since the 2019 Honda HR-V vehicle check engine light has come on numerous times, the vehicle is squeaking, the tire lights have come on numerous times, airbags light is on, the fuel cap light has come on Engine temperature light comes on Any more questions can be emailed or called. Thanks kindly.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Wheels and tires
1 complaintTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The first tire damage happened on 1/10. We were driving back from the city. There was a loud noise, but kept driving because we were on the bridge. The following day honda dealer did the following: 1/11 right rear tire was replaced due to side wall damage; while car was at the dealer, honda claims the technician, due to internal…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 7,311 miles
Honda HR-V complaints by year
Compare the 2019 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2019 small SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Honda HR-V | Worse than most years | 7 |
| 2019 Subaru Crosstrek | Among the worst years | 7 |
| 2019 Kia Soul | One of the better years | 1 |
| 2019 Jeep Compass | Worse than most years | 2 |
2019 Honda HR-V recalls
Air bags Front passenger
- Risk
- Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Backup camera Display function
- Risk
- An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the display audio unit software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Fit and 2019-2022 HR-V vehicles that were previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 23V-046. The rearview camera image may not display when the engine is started with a key, due to a design error in the audio display power circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Backup camera Display function
- Risk
- An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the display audio unit software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Fit and 2019-2022 HR-V vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the engine is started with a key, due to a design error in the audio display power circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura NSX, 2019 Acura RDX, RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R and HR-V, 2019-2020 Insight and 2019 Fit vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Brakes Caliper
- Risk
- A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
2019 Honda HR-V questions
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Honda HR-V?
The most reported problem areas on the 2019 Honda HR-V are the electrical system (67 complaints), the fuel system (65 complaints) and the driver assist systems (38 complaints).
Is the 2019 Honda HR-V a good year to buy?
Worse than most HR-V years. Owners filed about 1.7 times as many complaints as a typical HR-V year. The main thing to watch is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 42,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2020 and 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other HR-V years from 2016 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2019 Honda HR-V have?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2019 Honda HR-V. The most recent, from May 2026, covers the front passenger. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2019 Honda HR-V problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 42,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the fuel system gave a mileage of about 28,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Honda HR-V years should I avoid?
The HR-V years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2016. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2019 Honda HR-V?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model