VehicleVerdict

2021 Honda HR-V problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2021 Honda HR-V is among the quieter years of the HR-V on NHTSA's books: 78 complaints (51% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 20 reports (26% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

78

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other HR-V years?

HR-V NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 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, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all HR-V years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Honda HR-V problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2026%
Electrical System1519%
Driver Assistance1013%
Other912%
Transmission56%
Brakes45%
Steering34%
Speed Control34%
Engine34%
Seats23%
Seat Belts23%
Fuel System11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2021 Honda HR-V have recalls?

4 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.

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.

“Lease Car: I waited for the light to turn green and proceed into the intersection going east. The other driver was going south and went through the red light hitting my L/D door, fender,bumper, air bag deployed hit me in the face causing swollen bruised eye. Car was towed as of now there is $15,709…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 2, 2023 · crash

“The LCD display which indicates fuel levels and such is made by a bad connection and will short out in all Honda 2021 HRV models that experience cold weather. This was told to me by a mechanic at a Honda Dealership in Colorado Springs. This screen going out would cause you to not know where your…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 6, 2025

“This air bag and seatbelt both malfunctioned clearly the air bag malfunctioned while I was about to cross over a bridge on an interstate .. Ciasing a projectile to shoot me in my eye knocking me unconcouiss and I wasn’t sure wht happened until hind sight and clearly the foremsic evidence supports…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · December 16, 2023 · crash

“I had just pulled into my parking space at work, my foot was the break pedal. I could of been in park, but cannot remember . It happened that quick. All of a sudden I heard an acceleration noise and my car was moving forward. I could not react as I did not understand what was happening. I hit a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 29, 2024 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 17, 2026

2021 Honda HR-V — common questions

Is the 2021 Honda HR-V reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 78 NHTSA complaints, below the typical HR-V year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2021 HR-V problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (20 complaints), electrical system (15 complaints), driver assistance (10 complaints).

Does the 2021 Honda HR-V have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 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 2021 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 2021 Honda HR-V?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 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.