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Honda HR-V grinding brakes problems

13 of the 1,890 owner complaints about the Honda HR-V describe grinding or squealing brakes, most of them for the 2017 model year.

owner complaints
13
worst model year
2017
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2025
    1
  • 2023
    2
  • 2021
    1
  • 2020
    1
  • 2019
    2
  • 2018
    1
  • 2017
    3
  • 2016
    2

Often reported together

Transmission failure 3Hesitation 2Harsh shifting 2Jerking 1

Trouble codes mentioned

C1000 1

What owners say

Filed Sep 26, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · AZ · crash

My 2025 Honda HR-V experienced an apparent braking/ABS/VSA system malfunction and is currently at the Honda dealership. The dealership has not released the vehicle back to me, and it is available for inspection. I was completely stopped at a traffic light with my foot firmly on the brake when the vehicle unexpectedly began moving forward while my foot remained on the brake. I did not press the accelerator. The vehicle moved forward and contacted the stopped vehicle in front of me at very low speed. I was unable to keep the vehicle stationary despite applying the brake, putting my safety and the safety of others at risk. The car i hit did have damage and they are filing a claim against my insurance. I took the vehicle directly to the Honda dealership after the incident. Their diagnostic scan found trouble code C1000-94 stored in the vehicle. The dealership is continuing to inspect the vehicle and has not released it to me. There were no warning lights or messages immediately before the incident. However, for several months I have repeatedly brought the vehicle to the dealership with concerns about the brakes. I reported that the brakes feel “gummy” or abnormal and make grinding and high-pitched/shrieking noises. The dealership replaced brake-related clips, but the symptoms continued and the issue was not resolved. I repeatedly told the dealership that the vehicle did not feel safe. I have also reported that the vehicle sometimes pulls while driving. Despite multiple service visits, these concerns persisted. This incident was the first time the vehicle unexpectedly moved forward while I was fully stopped with the brake pedal depressed and resulted in contact with another vehicle.

Filed May 19, 2026 · Transmission · IN

•What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? CVT, yes this is a known issue •How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? On Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 our Honda HRV catastrophically and dangerously failed. Our Honda HRV Navi is the all-wheel-drive (AWD) and we are the original owners. It shuddered and dropped speed from almost 70 mph, to about 20 mph, putting us and others at risk for a rear end collision. My wife is traumatized by these events and for being stranded on the side of the road. •Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, it was repaired at a high cost. •Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Honda dealership •Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. This was the first time there was any indication of a problem. The transmission was serviced on March 6th, 2026 at Honda a Honda Dealership. There were NO warnings of problems (i.e. NO slipping or hesitation during acceleration, NO engine revving without speed gain, NO sudden jerking or shuddering when driving, NO delayed engagement unusual noises (whining, grinding, clunking), NO fluid leaks of transmission fluid, and NO overheating or burning smell. When I queried the servicing dealership, I was told the March 6th, 2026 routine maintenance CVT service found no metal shavings or other issues in the transmission fluid. It was a routine scheduled and dealer suggested maintenance. On Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 our Honda HRV catastrophically and dangerously failed. Our Honda HRV Navi is the all-wheel-drive (AWD) and we are the original owners. It shuddered and dropped speed from almost 70 mph, to about 20 mph, putting us at risk for a rear end collision. My wife (the registered owner) is traumatized by these events and for be

Filed May 10, 2026 · Steering · CA

The steering wheel hard to turn. Need more effort to turn. Feel a notch or sticking in the wheel. The steering makes squeaking sound when turning. The dealer where I bought the car cannot find the problem.

Filed Apr 22, 2026 · Airbags, Suspension · NJ

Since the 2019 Honda HR-V vehicle check engine light has come on numerous times, the vehicle is squeaking, the tire lights have come on numerous times, airbags light is on, the fuel cap light has come on Engine temperature light comes on Any more questions can be emailed or called. Thanks kindly.

Filed Jul 4, 2025 · Transmission · PA

Transmission failure. It is available for inspection upon request. While driving on major highways, I could have been at risk of a crash. I took the vehicle to Honda to confirm the transmission belt stretched. The insurance refused to inspect it. No warning lamps, messages, or other. I went over a railroad crossing and suddenly heard the transmission grinding gears.

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.

Filed Jan 7, 2025 · IA

The transmission went out in my vehicle. I read online that there is/was a recall on this vehicle, models 2016-2018, however, Honda is telling me there is no recall on the transmission. I noticed the grinding on Friday, 01/03/25, and did not drive it again until Monday, 01/06/25. It was still grinding. I took it to my dad’s house so he could lift it and diagnose the issue. While driving up his driveway, the transmission dropped and the car would not move. It had to be towed up the lane.

Filed Jun 18, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

Steering wheel gets loose and loud clonking noise from rear of vehicle, back window shattered while car was parked with no one around. Brakes have been grinding since day of purchase.

Filed May 1, 2023 · Electrical · VA

I'm reporting two issues: 1) The gas gauge (the 3rd circle on instrument panel) keeps going out. Over the 18 months, when starting the car on cold mornings, the gas gauge would show blank, I can't see how much gas I have in the car. After about 10 minutes, the gas gauge information would show up. I initially associated the issue with starting the car in cold weather, but in the last couple of months, the gas gauge will start flickering in & out as I'm driving. These have been on warm days I have been driving at least 30 minutes or more before the issue starts. Nothing unusual happens before the issue starts. The risk part is that you could run out of gas and not know it because you can't see the dial. I asked the dealer to look at the issue when the car was inspected this year and last year and they aren't seeing any error code related to it. 2) The drivers side door lock has on a few occasions been hard to lock from the inside. When I try to push down the lock switch, it is very hard to push and the click sound is very loud with an associated metal grinding sound. It's becomes a risk if I'm not able to lock by car to protect my safety or my possessions.

Filed Feb 25, 2022 · Brakes, Driver assistance · TN

When you're driving down the highway your break automatically come on. The brake light comes on it goes beep beep and the brakes slams on really hard and you can hear you the brakes grinding. And there's nothing in front of you no cars or anything and it's done that three times on me just today. It's been doing that off and on for about 2 months now.

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliperReported November 1, 2018 · 64,785 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.

Recall number 18V777000 · Recall details

Questions about the Honda HR-V grinding brakes

Which Honda HR-V years have grinding or squealing brakes problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2017 (3 complaints), 2016 (2 complaints) and 2019 (2 complaints).

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