While driving on a highway I had a catastrophic transmission failure and lost all propulsion. I didn’t figure out I had transmission issues until that day and was 2 hours from home when I did. The failure happened hour and a half from home on a highway with posted speed limit of 55. I had very little room to pull off road. The car was making some noise for a week or more but thought it was something minor like a heat shield or bracket. The day it failed the transmission was acting odd. I called and made an appointment that morning but was unable to reach home. My wife is owner of vehicle. [XXX]. I was driver and alone. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The worst 2021 Honda HR-V problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags21
- Electrical16
- Driver assistance7
- Transmission7
- Brakes5
- Acceleration4
- Engine4
- Steering3
- Seat belts2
- Seats2
- Fuel system1
- Lights1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Honda HR-V
Recalls 4
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous the federal safety agency recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning May 29, 2026.
Recall number 26V332000 · Recall details
Back over prevention: software
- What is wrong
- Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Fit and 2019-2022 HR-V vehicles that were previously recalled under the federal safety agency 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."
- Risk
- An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the display audio unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are TIQ and DIR. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 23V‑046 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Recall number 24V384000 · Recall details
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Recall number 24V064000 · Recall details
Back over prevention: display function
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the display audio unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 13, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is 6DW. This recall has been superseded by the federal safety agency recall number 24V‑384. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 23V‑046 will need to have the new remedy completed under recall 24V‑384.
Recall number 23V046000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 2021 Honda HR-V
Defect investigations
Rear Differential Seizure
On November 29, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE 22-011 after reviewing field reports alleging rear differential seizure in 2018-2022MY Honda CR-V and HR-V vehicles equipped with all wheel drive. To date, ODI has not received any consumer complaints. Some of the field reports received alleged the vehicleâs wheels locked up with no warning while the vehicle was in motion. These vehicles were towed to a dealership. Examination of these vehicles showed the driveshaft had broken and the differential unit was completely damaged. The field reports cited a lack of oil due to damaged oil seals as the cause. Honda provided data including consumer complaints, field reports, and warranty claims they received relating to the loss of oil retention and resulting differential damage. Hondaâs data cited 1201 incidents with unique vehicle identification numbers (VINs). The rear differential oil seals prevent the oil from leaking out and protect internal components from contaminants. A loss of oil lubrication results in failure of the vehicle differential. Honda stated that the oil sealâs lip contact with the driveshaft may become unstable due to intermittent changes in internal pressure. Their review of field report and warranty data indicated that these failures occurred early in the vehicleâs life thus the failures were covered by the manufacturerâs warranty. Honda stated that in November 2021 they changed the seal specifications and improved the packaging process of the parts for transport. Honda also enacted an enhanced visual inspection process both before and after the oil seal installation on the assembly line. Honda stated that in the event of differential failure, the operator can control the vehicle without stability loss. After the drive shafts break due to differential failure, the operator will hear noises and the vehicle will still function as a 2WD vehicle preventing complete loss of motive power. Based on the following factors, ODI is closing this investigation: ·      Information regarding field failures does not indicate hazardous outcomes ·      The failures are occurring early in the life of the vehicle ·      Repairs are covered under the manufacturerâs warranty ·      The vehicle can continue functioning as a 2WD without loss of stability control in the event of failure The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.
PE22011
Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Honda HR-V 41
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- During engine start in cold conditions, a miscalculation in the PCM causes the air-fuel ratio to exceed...
- During engine start in cold conditions, it is possible for air-fuel ratio to exceed DTC P2DE1 rich criteria.
- Service News
- Dealer Message Request for Visit: 2018-2022 Accord & HR-V Front Damper Noise (ACTION REQUIRED)
- Dealer Message
- Servicenews article
- Dealer message
- Dealer message
- Dealer message
- Dealer message
2021 Honda HR-V fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | FWD | 28 | 34 | 30 |
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | AWD | 26-27 | 31 | 28-29 |
What 2021 Honda HR-V owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I was starting to hear a strange rattling noise in my car and was taking to a pep boys to try get it fixed, but they couldn’t figure out the problem . They assured me that it was nothing and it was safe to drive and to then on September 17th I was driving back home and all of a sudden I hit my gas pedal and the engine just revved. I turned on my hazards and pulled off to the side of the road. I learned later that the transmission belt had disintegrated and that was the reason that my gas pedal stopped propelling the car. I have a video of the Honda dealership showing me pieces of my belt in my oil or transmission fluid
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 vehicle in traffic. This happened in the morning when it’s cold but it comes back up when it gets hotter.
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 to reverse. Unable to move. Placed the vehicle back in park. Turned off the ignition. Pulled the key out slightly and waited. I restarted the engine and as all of the lights were flashing I placed the vehicle in drive again. The vehicle was able to drive. We took it to a local repair shop and they said it was a recall. We contacted Honda and they said they did not have a recall for this vehicle.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda HR-V. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
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.
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.
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 consumers! Same CVT was recalled or warranty extended in earlier models.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda HR-V. The contact received a recall notification, the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that several appointments were scheduled, however the dealer canceled or rescheduled the appointments. The contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced any failure regarding the unrepaired recall repair.
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 tampering
Compare the 2021 Honda HR-V
HR-V vs Chevrolet TrailblazerHR-V vs Kia SoulHR-V vs Jeep RenegadeHR-V vs Ford EcosportHR-V vs Ford Bronco SportHR-V vs Subaru CrosstrekHR-V vs Chevrolet TraxHR-V vs Hyundai Kona
Other model years
Questions about the 2021 Honda HR-V
Is the 2021 Honda HR-V reliable?
Owners have filed 66 complaints about the 2021 Honda HR-V, fewer than a typical HR-V model year.
What is the 2021 Honda HR-V year score?
The 2021 Honda HR-V scores 85 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Honda HR-V: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Honda HR-V?
Airbags, with 21 complaints. Next is electrical (16).
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda HR-V have?
4 recalls, covering air bags and back over prevention.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Honda HR-V airbags?
Yes, 2 recalls: 26V332000, 24V064000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Honda HR-V have bad airbags?
The Honda HR-V model years with the most airbags complaints are 2021 (21 complaints), 2019 (14 complaints) and 2016 (13 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Honda HR-V get?
Official estimates for the 2021 Honda HR-V range from 28 to 30 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 28 city and 34 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2021 Honda HR-V?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history