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.
Honda HR-V won't start problems
21 of the 1,890 owner complaints about the Honda HR-V describe won't start, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 21
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical mileage
- 43,000
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 3Check engine light 3Warning lights 1Loss of power 1Key fob 1Fuel pump 1Fuel gauge 1Engine failure 1
What owners say
My vehicle suddenly developed electrical problems and would not start. Before it completely failed, I began seeing warning lights on the dashboard, including a PARK warning and an engine oil light. The vehicle had been operating normally earlier that day, but later became totally unresponsive. The doors would not unlock electronically and the car would not start. This happened after a period of heavy rain. When the vehicle was inspected by a Honda dealership, they found signs of long-term water intrusion and corrosion affecting electrical components and wiring. I later learned that the vehicle had previously been repaired for water intrusion through the rear hatch/tailgate area, which may have allowed moisture into the vehicle over time. The car is now inoperable. This raises safety concerns because electrical failures like this can lead to sudden loss of reliability, inability to start the vehicle when needed, or potential failure while driving. The issue has been confirmed by a dealership service department, and the vehicle remains unusable. I am concerned that water may be entering through the tailgate or rear hatch area and damaging electrical systems. I have also seen similar complaints involving water intrusion and electrical failures in this model.
On Sunday, 02/08/2026, I parked briefly to drop something off. When I tried to restart the car, it was clicking but would not start. An engine light came on, and a flashing message appeared saying “Park.” I initially thought it was a battery issue, but the warning light remained on. The next morning, the car started, but the engine was locked and the vehicle would not move forward or backward. I called the Honda dealer, and the technician advised me to tow and bring the vehicle in as soon as possible. I restarted the vehicle, and the message on the screen cleared and the vehicle was engaged. I then dropped the vehicle off at the dealership. After inspection, they told me the front passenger seat weight sensor needed to be replaced, which is very expensive ($1,300) When I researched the, Honda has already recalled their vehicles for this same issue, and I am not sure I need to pay all this money for something that is caused by an identified defect of the vehicle system. Safety Recall: 2020–22 Multi-Model Seat Weight Sensor Campaign Notice Replaces Service Bulletin 24-042 Safety Recall: 2020–22 Multi-Model Seat Weight Sensor Stop Sale, dated February 6, 2024
In a freezing cold parking lot car would not start. Had car towed to service center. Problem was gas gauge showing almost half a tank but car was out of gas. It is a bad sending unit. This is hazardous. There were no warnings or lights notifying me of a problem with the sending unit. I drive on highways at night. Potentially running out of gas on a busy highway with no warning is hazardous. Mechanic informed me this is a common problem with Honda. Over 500 dollars for a tow and diagnosis. Will cost $2200 to repair. If parts of the fuel pump were recalled why not the sending unit?????
I was driving to work when suddenly my car lost motor function and just stopped, despite me pushing the gas pedal. This has happened to me at least 4 times now since owning the car for less than two years. I have almost been rear-ended each time. This time, however, my car did not want to start back up again. It flashed the battery and oil light on my dash and proceeded to tell me to hit the brake and push button to start (even though it was running), so I turned the vehicle off and attempted to start it again like I have in the past when encountering this issue. When I went to re-start the car, it sputtered and wouldn't start until I waited and tried again. I am very concerned, as I have a dog that I have in the backseat and if I get rear-ended, I will sue if there are injuries. I want a call about this immediately, as it is often pushed aside and I am fed up.
My car has a fuel recall and is jerkings. Today the car almost does not start. I have 1 year trying to fix this recall with different dealers but they always say that the part is over. I have only this car in my house and 3 dependents. Can somebody help me? Thank you in advance for the help!
One of the many times my car would not start. I was trying to leave work and my Honda HR-V would not start. [XXX] at [XXX] - I got in my car to drive to work, and it gave a stuttering sound. I contacted Honda on November 18th 2024 about the recall and was told my name would be put on a list and I’d be contacted when the part became available. My mother went into the Dover, Delaware Honda location today, [XXX], to inquire about an ETA on the recalled part and she was told that the recalled part “Was not being released”. She was also told, by the Assistant Service Manager that he waited 8 months for this recalled part to be fixed on his vehicle. He could not give me an estimated time on when they’d receive the part, but my car is definitely affected by the recalled part (stalling and my car not being able to start are some of the issues affected by this faulty part) and I don’t want to risk my life in an accident, simply trying to get to work, while waiting for a part that Honda may not have available for 6-8 months. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I have had several issues happen where the battery will drain quickly if the doors are open for 40 minutes. One time recently happened last week when I was trying to take my wife to the hospital for a back pain issue. I tried to get her into the vehicle but the pain was too great so we called the paramedics to come and take her instead. Once they arrived and removed her from the vehicle, I went to start the vehicle and it wouldn't start. You could hear a repetitive fast clicking from the dash and a pulsing of the dash lights but no attempt of the engine to start.
2022 HRV battery is draining while parked. I have had the new car for 2 years, low mileage with no problems until this past month October/November 2023 the battery has drained 3 times. Honda of Frankfort, KY replaced the battery (said it was defective). The car worked fine for a couple of weeks, then the battery drained again yesterday, November 13, 2023. I had it towed to Frankfort, Ky Neil Huffman Honda yesterday. I have had a tow company come to the car 3 times in the past month. The problem is probably not the battery, but something is draining the battery. Definitely a safety issue if car will not start when it is needed. No warning lights came on.
Use this vehicle as a daily commuter for work/school/other personal trips in good faith it would be a solid, reliable car. Had it since February 2022, brand new right off the lot no issues. One morning driving to work, the tire pressure, parking brake, and check engine light indicators all come on while I'm on the highway. I exit to an off ramp and pull into a parking lot to go through the different gears and everything seems okay, so I proceed to return to my commute. Start coming to a stop light at an intersection and the vehicle stalls completely as I decelerate. I go to start the vehicle again as I'm in an active lane of traffic and it won't start. Try starting it again and it starts but the parking brake is fully engaged (not by me setting it but the vehicle self-engaged it) and I can't move the vehicle as it won't dis-engage the parking brake when I hit the gas. I had to get it towed to the dealership and mechanics told me later it was a fuel canister failure, and it isn't uncommon for the sensor in that element to fail which certainly didn't inspire great comfort. I drive it 5 miles after they assured me it was taken care of and all the same indicators come back on. Return to the dealership and they re-assessed the issue is farther down near the tank. Been driving it since the second repair attempt and so far no issues. Very disappointed and hesitant about this model's safety and reliability especially hearing about the rear-differential investigation and others having it decelerate at highway speeds suddenly. As this is my first car, I had hoped this was the right choice and would be solid for years to come, but now I question whether I trust the HRV model and Honda in general.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Honda HR-V won't start
Which Honda HR-V years have won't start problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (7 complaints), 2022 (6 complaints) and 2018 (3 complaints).
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