Research · Small Station Wagons

2018 Honda HR-VRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 160 owner complaints for the 2018 Honda HR-V. Most complaints involve electrical system (50) and fuel system, gasoline (27). The EPA rates it 28–31 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
28–31mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Dec 2023
Owner complaints
160
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Dec 19, 2023NHTSA 23V858000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported May 28, 2020NHTSA 20V314000

Service brakes

Free remedy

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."

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Nov 1, 2018NHTSA 18V777000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

160 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2018 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system50
  2. Fuel system, gasoline27
  3. Power train16
  4. Service brakes15
  5. Fuel/propulsion system14
  6. Engine13
  7. Structure11
  8. Vehicle speed control10
  9. Air bags7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each HR-V model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2016243
2017124
2018160
2019241
202086
202164
202289
2023688
2024110
202548
202620
20276
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

50 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2018 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly failed to operate properly, causing the vehicle to decelerate to 35 MPH. The contact stated that the right side of the instrument panel became inoperable. The contact was unable to see the mileage, and the battery life indicator failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The instrument panel failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was later taken to a service center, where the transmission failure was confirmed, and the transmission was replaced. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11772465

Fuel system, gasoline

27 reports
“The contact owns a 2018 Honda HR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to immediately start. The cause of the failure was not yet been determined. The failure mileage was 22,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 2, 2025Fuel system, gasolineODI 11670691

Power train

16 reports
“We have a Honda 2018 HRV We purchased it new from Suburban Honda in April 2018 They have serviced the in our ownership The CVT Transmission was serviced and maintained by this dealership The fluid was changed at 29.063 miles and the transmission was updated by Honda at 31781 miles The fluid was changed at 54874 Now at 76081 miles the CVT Transmission has failed and Honda has said its $9500.00 to repair No warning lights just a Cluck on XXX I feel if the transmission completey fail on the road at any time The car has been inspected and is at Honda Dealership in [XXX] now they have confirmed internal Transmission failure Honda should repair at no cost to our family”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 2, 2026Power trainODI 11748018
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Station Wagons
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S7) · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
HR-V FWD
Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283431$2,050289
HR-V FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283431$2,050289
HR-V AWD
Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · All-Wheel Drive
273129$2,200314
HR-V AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · All-Wheel Drive
273129$2,200314
HR-V FWD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253328$2,300314
  • HR-V FWD
    Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    28 city · 34 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • HR-V FWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    28 city · 34 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • HR-V AWD
    Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    27 city · 31 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • HR-V AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    27 city · 31 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • HR-V FWD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    25 city · 33 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Honda HR-V SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
13.5%
Overall
5 / 5
Honda HR-V SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 12414Vehicle 12413
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2018 HR-V questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Honda HR-V have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2018 Honda HR-V problems?

Owners filed 160 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (50), fuel system, gasoline (27), power train (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Honda HR-V get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Honda HR-V at 28–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

How safe is the 2018 Honda HR-V?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Honda HR-V 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026