One of the better HR-V years
Owners filed about 55% fewer complaints than a typical HR-V year. The area owners reported most is the air bags.
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 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Honda HR-V. The most reported problem area is the air bags (21, 33% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the driver assist systems. That is the fewest complaints of any HR-V year from 2016 to 2024 on file. It has 4 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 2021 Honda HR-V before you buy.
Air bags
21 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
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
The contact owns a 2021 Honda HR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted several times. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Air bag sensor light is always off even when nobody is sitting in the passenger seat. The sensor has been recalled once before however it’s still having the same issue even after being replaced.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
16 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
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 instrument cluster display intermittently fails and blanks out while driving. When this happens, I completely lose access to critical safety information, including the speedometer, fuel gauge, and all vehicle warning lights. I cannot monitor my speed or know if a critical vehicle system is malfunctioning while actively operating the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
An electrical issue with the right-hand side gauge cluster. This contains the fuel gauge, odometer, trip meter, temperature, & clock. Parts of the instrument cluster functions intermittently or shows scrambled, incorrect information. More recently it has turned completely off all together. This defect has created situations where I was…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Driver assist systems
7 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
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
Front Sensing Camera consistently deactivates, turning off safety features such as Lane Keep Assist, Emergency Braking, & Forward Collision Detection All of which fail despite no collision, & no tamperingOwner complaint, filed 2026
The forward-facing windshield lane assist monocular camera ceased working after only 44000 miles. This resulted in numerous hazard warning lights being activated in my dashboard. I went to the dealer where I bought the car, and they gave me an estimate for almost $2200.00. They are charging me $1649.00 for the part. I found the part…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
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
CVT transmission failed and vehicle lost power while on Interstate I-88 65 MPH speed zone. f Momentum allowed me to reach an exit at which point I needed to push the vehicle by myself off the roadway. Vehicle mileage was slighlty over 60,000 miles and the $10,000 dollar repair was not covered by warranty. Dangerous and costly to…Owner complaint, filed 2026
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - According to the Honda technician metal particles came out when draining the transmission fluid How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Witha failing transmission putting myself and others at risk without knowing Has the…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Brakes and stability control
5 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
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
Brakes are not keeping car stopped. Several times car has started moving slowly when stopped at traffic light or driving on freeway. Several times almost hit car in front of my car. I had to push harder on brakes. No warnings. It has to been inspected by anyone. This has happened since purchase of car in Jan. 2024.Owner complaint, filed 2024
I got in my vehicle to go to work, put the vehicle in drive and it would not move. The engine light came on, a large red flashing PARK on the dash and the tire light. I placed the car back in park. Checked to see if the parking break had accidentally been engaged. It had not. I placed the vehicle in drive again, unable to move. Attempted…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Engine and cooling
3 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
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 2021 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that there was an abnormal whining sound detected. While driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stopped independently. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was pushed off the road manually. The contact sustained a mental injury due to the failure and developed…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 124,208 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and attempting to accelerate the vehicle loss power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal to the floorboard however the vehicle failed to move. There were no warning lights illuminated The contact changed the fuel to a 93 octane however there…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Steering
3 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
My cars had a clunking type noise coming from the front left of vehicle, sounds happens on both left and right turns, and sometimes the steering wheel STICKS. Making a knocking sound and sometimes feels difficult to turn the wheel. I had to have the steering gearbox assembly replaced at cost of over $3015 before taxes.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Approximately three weeks ago my steering wheel started sticking when making turns. Normally it happens when I am traveling at least 30 mph/40 mph. It does not automatically return to the normal position. Sometimes I actually feel it lock and unlock while even driving straight.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Cruise control and acceleration
3 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 2021 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while entering a parking space, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly and jumped over a curb. The brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond and drove towards a building. The contact was able to steer the vehicle away from the building, and the vehicle crashed into…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 13,000 miles
The car accelerated unexpectedly, yes it is available for inspection, I have not taken to dealer. Car has not been inspected by any police dealer etc. No warning lights appeared. Yes car accelerated toward several on coming cars. I shifted gear from neutral with brake to drive with unexpected acceleration.Owner complaint, filed 2022
Seats and seat belts
3 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
Went to Honda dealer they didnt have the part for recall 24V-064 also called Honda directly adn they said only if the SRS light come in dashboard i can go and fix the recall otherwise i have to wait until parts become available to public. This means that Paragon Honda has the parts but is being selective. Honda doesn’t have an estimated…Owner complaint, filed 2024
This air bag and seatbelt both malfunctioned clearly the air bag malfunctioned while I was about to cross over a bridge on an interstate .. Ciasing a projectile to shoot me in my eye knocking me unconcouiss and I wasn’t sure wht happened until hind sight and clearly the foremsic evidence supports this .. I woke up hitting.my head on…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Fuel system
1 complaintHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
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
Six times on the interstate when we press on the gas it does nothing. The dealer told us it's in the software and was designed that way.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Lights, wipers and visibility
1 complaintHeadlights 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
Odometer section of dashboard failed to light up/turn on. Continued to happen after restarting the car. Eventually after running the car for ~20 minutes it started flashing and turned on. If this continues to occur or fails completely/indefinitely, there is a risk of stalling on the road or highway if unable to monitor the gas gauge.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Honda HR-V complaints by year
Compare the 2021 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2021 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Honda HR-V | One of the better years | 4 |
| 2021 Subaru Crosstrek | About average | 1 |
| 2021 Kia Soul | One of the better years | 2 |
| 2021 Jeep Compass | One of the better years | 0 |
2021 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."
Air bags Front passenger
- Risk
- An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can 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 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
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."
2021 Honda HR-V questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda HR-V?
The most reported problem areas on the 2021 Honda HR-V are the air bags (21 complaints), the electrical system (16 complaints) and the driver assist systems (7 complaints).
Is the 2021 Honda HR-V a good year to buy?
One of the better HR-V years. Owners filed about 55% fewer complaints than a typical HR-V year. The area owners reported most is the air bags. 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 2021 Honda HR-V have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 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.
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.
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