2018 Honda HR-V: sudden loss of power

Filed Nov 11, 2025 · Acceleration, Steering · NC

While driving my Honda HR-V under normal conditions around noon on Saturday on NC Highway 54, the vehicle suddenly illuminated multiple dashboard lights and began to decelerate despite pressing the accelerator. The steering became extremely hard to maneuver, the brakes did not respond, and I was unable to activate the hazard lights due to an electrical malfunction—putting my life and the lives of others in jeopardy. My car gave me no prior warning signs of this issue. It had been serviced at Autopark Honda Service Center on September 19, 2025, including a transmission service, and nothing abnormal (such as debris or metal) was noted or communicated to me. After the incident and I had my car towed to Autopark Honda, I was informed that the transmission had failed. I later learned of Honda Service Bulletin #21-047 (April 27, 2021) concerning premature CVT belt deterioration in 2016–2020 HR-V models. Despite this known issue, Honda has refused responsibility because my vehicle is about 10 months beyond the 7-year warranty extension. This sudden failure caused complete loss of power, steering, braking, and hazard functions, representing a serious safety risk that warrants investigation.

Filed Jan 1, 2024 · Acceleration, Fuel system · GA

Car slowed down during traveling out of town. It appeared to lose power and we had to pull over. After trying to restart it nothing happened which caused us to call for help via AAA assistance!

Filed Dec 13, 2022 · Engine · KS

Engine suddenly lost power on highway 5 times in last 6 months and would not restart for approximately 12 hours. To lose power at 75 mph on a busy highway risks accidents and injury to driver, passengers, and potentially other drivers on the road. Tow truck drivers and passengers are witnesses to this happening. We have had it towed to the dealer each time and they cannot find any problem. No warning prior to the problem.

Filed Dec 31, 2020 · Transmission · 149,000 miles · NY

Driving at highway speed, the car lost power and would not drive over 40 MPH. I brought it to the dealer and was told the transmission had metal shaving in the fluid and the transmission would need to be replaced.

Filed Aug 15, 2020 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · WA

Vin: [xxx] year: 2018 make: honda model: hr-v while driving through town at around 35 MPH, the car started doing a pulsating sensation. As we got up to highway speed and driving from (08/08/2020), boise, idaho to bellevue washington the "orange light" came on and started flashing and lost all power. Pulled over "safely" on the side off the road to let the engine cool down for about 1 hour. There was no light that came on indicating that the engine was overheating. (08/10/2020) honda of kirkland has had the hrv for 1 week now, and they say that they cannot find anything wrong with the car "no codes". We asked the "service advisor that works for honda of kirkland" if it is safe and okay to drive the car, he told us it is safe and okay to drive the hrv. We picked up the car, and again we fill the same pulsation/hesitation issue as before. They stated that they could not find any codes, even though the check engine light was flashing when this happened. They also stated that the transmission fluid was dark in color, and to only change the transmission fluid only when the cars computer maintenance indicator says to. (note the maintenance indicator never came on indicating to service the transmission, based off the code that would come on the dash). Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).