VehicleVerdict

2020 Honda HR-V problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2020 Honda HR-V is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 107 owner complaints run below the HR-V median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (25), electrical system (18), and driver assistance (14), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

107

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other HR-V years?

HR-V NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted814 complaints2016: 318 complaints2017: 167 complaints2018: 194 complaints2019: 322 complaints2020: 107 complaints2021: 78 complaints2022: 142 complaints2023: 814 complaints2024: 160 complaints2025: 61 complaints2026: 9 complaints
HR-V NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all HR-V years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Honda HR-V problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System2523%
Electrical System1817%
Driver Assistance1413%
Transmission1211%
Engine109%
Other87%
Airbags66%
Speed Control55%
Brakes55%
Lighting11%
Seats11%
Steering11%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 2020 Honda HR-V have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V332000AirbagsMay 21, 2026 · 98,892 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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 are expected to be mailed July 6, 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 NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

24V384000Driver AssistanceMay 31, 2024 · 114,686 units

Defect

Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Fit and 2019-2022 HR-V vehicles that were previously recalled under NHTSA 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."

Consequence

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.

24V064000AirbagsFebruary 1, 2024 · 750,114 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. 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.

23V858000Fuel SystemDecember 18, 2023 · 2,490,460 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

23V046000Driver AssistanceFebruary 2, 2023 · 114,686 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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 NHTSA recall number 24V-384. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 23V-046 will need to have the new remedy completed under recall 24V-384.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Fuel pump. Is lagging up hills sporadically. Called numerous times but started documenting on 12/20/24 12/30/24. Odaniel honda of omaha is dealer that failed to give me an appointment or a timeframe on completion or even make appointment to address this issue. Put my name on a list was all they…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 12, 2024

“Faulty design by honda for sunroof drain tubes. Clogged drain tubes cause water to intrude cabin and get fuse panel wet and inoperperable. Nothing about drain tube maintenace in manual. Honda denied repair stating because of rain. No easy access to clean drain tubes on vehicle. Cost me over $2000…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 3, 2024

“Honda Sensing dash warning lights come on and off during driving which can create an unsafe situation. The Honda Sensing dash warning lights were for Road Departure Mitigation System Problem, Collision Mitigation System Problem, Adaptive Cruise Control Problem, and Auto High-Beam Problem. Per…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · September 23, 2024

“- 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,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 19, 2025 · crash

“The contact owns a 2020 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. On one occasion while approaching a light at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact mentioned that the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 1, 2024 · crash

2020 Honda HR-V — common questions

Is the 2020 Honda HR-V reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 107 NHTSA complaints, below the typical HR-V year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2020 HR-V problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (25 complaints), electrical system (18 complaints), driver assistance (14 complaints).

Does the 2020 Honda HR-V have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Honda HR-V. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 Honda HR-V under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Honda HR-V years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the HR-V years to avoid are 2023, 2019, 2016. The cleanest record among HR-V years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2020 Honda HR-V?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Honda HR-V earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.