2020 Honda HR-V transmission problems

Filed Nov 9, 2026 · Transmission · SC

My daughter's 2020 Honda HR-V experienced a serious transmission malfunction at approximately 117,000 miles. While traveling approximately 64 mph on Highway 378 in South Carolina, where the posted speed limit is 60 mph, the vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating, and ALL dashboard warning lights illuminated. This unexpected loss of acceleration at highway speed created a dangerous situation, placing her safety and the safety of surrounding motorists at risk of a serious collision. The vehicle was subsequently towed to an authorized Honda dealership. The dealership confirmed diagnostic trouble code P0793 (Intermediate Shaft Speed Sensor "A"). During inspection, the technician drained the transmission fluid through a filter and discovered metal flakes. Additional metallic material was detected using a magnet, indicating internal transmission damage. The dealership determined that the entire transmission required replacement at an estimated cost of $7,942.57. Honda previously acknowledged premature CVT belt deterioration affecting certain 2016–2020 Honda HR-V vehicles through Service Bulletins 21-046 and 21-047. However, Honda advised that my daughter's VIN was excluded from the extended warranty coverage. Honda subsequently denied goodwill assistance, citing the vehicle's age, mileage, and an asserted absence of similar complaints. I am concerned that this sudden loss of acceleration may be related to premature CVT deterioration previously documented by Honda. I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether this failure is related to a known transmission defect and whether other 2020 Honda HR-V owners face similar safety risks. The dealership's diagnostic findings and repair estimate are available. Availability of the failed transmission for inspection must be confirmed with the dealership.

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Transmission · OH

The CVT is defective and failed while driving, causing immediate loss of motive power. This has been diagnosed and confirmed by the dealer. Honda has a voluntary extended warranty in place for this exact issue for certain VIN's, but because this particular VIN was assembled at a location where less VIN's were assembled with the faulty CTV it is not covered. This should be a mandatory safety recall as losing motive power while driving can easily cause an accident. There were no warning signs, just a loud sound and immediate loss of motive power while driving. For us this happened in a busy intersection, but could easily have happened on the highway causing a serious safety hazard. Honda is not denying that the CVT is defective, but this particular VIN is not covered in the extended warranty due to the location the vehicle was assembled.

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Transmission · VA

While on the highway vehicles warning light illuminated and the vehicle immediately slowed down and would not go over 20 miles per hour. Prior to the warning lights illuminating there were no warning lights already illuminated and no drivability issues. You could hear a griding noise when driving at low speeds and the vehicle would not go above 20 miles per hour. Ended up pulling over and towing the vehicle to the dealership. The dealership mentioned after diagnosis the transmission internally failed and needed to be replaced. They did find metal debris from the transmission belt when draining the fluid and found the fluid to be clean. Found the TSB - Warranty extension from NHSTA website showing all 2016-2020 model year Honda HR-V's with 2WD and AWD included in this warranty extension but when reaching out to Honda Customer Service they denied the warranty extension and called it a goodwill denial and were careful to not mention the warranty extension submitted to the federal safety agency. The cost would be over $10,000 to replace the transmission with a remanufactured one quote by the dealership. The TSB - Warranty Extension number is 21-047.

Filed Mar 29, 2026 · Transmission · CT

On 3/15/26 the CVT transmission on my 2020 HRV EX-L failed while driving on I-95 near Fairfield, CT. My dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree and the car decelerated and would not go past 20 miles per hour. My safety was put at risk because this happened suddenly doing 60 mph highway. There was no indication of an issue with the transmission when I visited the Honda Service center on Friday, 3/13 to repair a lose panel. They saw no issues. There were two Service Bulletins 21-046 dated 4/27/21 and o6/1/21, respectively that listed certain HRV VIN numbers that had the warranty extended to cover the full replacement cost of the CVT transmission. My VIN is not included. Many of the steps taken by the dealer to determine the transmission failure came from those service bulletins. I would like the federal safety agency to look into this issue and contact Honda in order to extend the warranty in order to have the full replacement cost of the transmission covered.

Filed Mar 24, 2026 · Transmission · TN

•What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The transmission failed and yes it’s available upon request. •How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My car stop in the middle of the street. No warning or anything. •Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes •Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Manufacturer •Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No, everything happened on 03-09-26. L

Filed Mar 18, 2026 · Transmission · 122,700 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2020 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle bucked, and several warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with CVT failure. The contact was informed that the CVT needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,700.

Filed Feb 27, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · OH

While stopped at a traffic signal, the vehicle failed to restart when the light turned green. On another occasion, the vehicle stalled during operation and would not start. The engine would crank but there was no ignition. This created a safety risk because the vehicle was disabled in traffic and unable to move out of the roadway, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision or other crash. The vehicle was towed to a dealership for inspection. The dealer diagnosed a failed Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The diagnosis indicated no spark and that the ignition coils were not receiving signal, although the crank sensor signal was present. The PCM was replaced, and the vehicle started and operated normally after replacement. No additional wiring, fuse, or grounding issues were identified. There were no prior warning lights, dashboard messages, or drivability symptoms before the failure occurred. The failure happened unexpectedly at approximately 52,889 miles. The replaced PCM is available through the servicing dealership if inspection is requested.

Filed Jan 15, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · OH

The HRV is available for inspection upon request. It was taken to local Honda dealer for inspection based on the below: December 2025 - Highway driving slightly over speed limit posting 70mph when a majority of the lights on the dashboard came on (transmission, abs brake, awd, engine light, almost all lights) and the car immediately lost speed power and had to emergently pull over into safe lane off the highway. RPM revved irradically up to 6000. Tried to accelerate but it would sputter forward and did not want to shift transmission gears. Honda dealer has inspected the care and state that it needs transmission. The tech looked at it and did a magnet test which was positive information for him to tell me that it needed a transmission and AC belt. There is already a safety bulletin on this issue issued in 2021 covering all HRV models 2016-2000. The car has 112k and is 2020. It fits within the guidelines of the bulletin issued by Honda acknowledging that there is an issue with parts and manufacturing. It is bulletin #21-047: [XXX] Honda has stated my vin does not qualify. Online forums discuss that other people have the same problem in which honda corporate has told them the same thing. No notable warning signs. My safety was challenged and at risk when this happened without any warning at all. I was driving in high speed left lane and could have caused a severe accident with the immediate drop of speed by the car automatically. I have always taken great care of Honda cars that I have owned and this should have never happened. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 9, 2025 · Transmission · PA · crash

- The transmission had several problems that failed, leading to the car being unable to drive. The car starts, but does not drive in Drive or Reverse. The exact Honda vehicle codes affected are: P0171 and P0793. -My safety was put at risk because the car had previously stalled several times, leading to needing to pull over on the side of the road immediately, even on what is nearly a highway. -The exact problem was not confirmed by a dealer, but by an independent mechanic. Previous problems, such as the stalling, were confirmed by Caliber Collision in Cinnaminson, NJ. -The vehicle was last inspected by a mechanic in Massachusetts. -There were several of the dash cam lights and error sounds, off and on, since [XXX], upon an accident. The car was repaired after by said Caliber Collision in Cinnaminson, NJ, on more than one occasion between January 19th, 2025 and today, April 4th, 2025. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 28, 2025 · Transmission · 109,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2020 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH with the cruise control engaged, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the driver’s side front-end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering and occasionally hesitating while driving. The contact stated that the noise and the shuddering were intermittent but were more frequent. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer twice to be repaired; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the noise gradually became louder, with the failure occurring at various speeds. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and metal fragments were found in the transmission fluid. The dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was a Warranty Extension for similar vehicles; however, the vehicle was not covered. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.