VehicleVerdict

2023 Honda HR-V problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 814 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.1 times the median HR-V year — the 2023 model ranks #1 of 11 HR-V years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: visibility & wipers issues account for 49% of all reports (400 of 814), far ahead of other at 213. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

814

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2023 compare to other HR-V years?

HR-V NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 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, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all HR-V years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 Honda HR-V problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers40049%
Other21326%
Steering769%
Body & Structure334%
Electrical System314%
Driver Assistance243%
Engine81%
Seat Belts51%
Brakes51%
Tires & Wheels51%
Fuel System30%
Lighting30%
Airbags30%
Seats20%
Suspension10%
Speed Control10%
Transmission10%

Does the 2023 Honda HR-V have recalls?

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

24V744000SteeringOctober 3, 2024 · 1,693,199 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause excessive internal friction and lead to difficulty steering the vehicle.

Consequence

Difficulty steering can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2024. Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are SJS, MJU, QJT and VJV.

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.

23V782000Seat BeltsNovember 21, 2023 · 303,770 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Accord and HR-V vehicles. The front seat belt pretensioners may be missing the rivet that secures the quick connector and wire plate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," 209, "Seat Belt Assembles," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Consequence

A seat belt pretensioner missing a rivet will not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt pretensioner assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are MG7 and NG5.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“The back glass exploded. When I looked online, there are many complaints about this dangerous occurrence. If our grandchildren had been in the back, they might have been killed. Honda surely knows of this problem and needs to take care of it. Our local dealer hadn't heard of it (type in Honda HR-V…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · November 6, 2023

“The car was parked in the garage and the back windshield exploded for no reason. The garage is insulated and was around 60 degrees. No impact had occurred and no prior damage. The car is only a year old. There are other reports of similar incidents with the back window. No warning just exploded out…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 11, 2024

“The contact owned a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to travel through a bend in the road, the steering wheel locked. As a result, the contact was unable to turn, lost control of the vehicle, and left the roadway, only coming to a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 5, 2025 · crash

“Rear Hatch glass has shattered while the vehicle is unoccupied two times now. Honda said it was inspected and was fine after the first rear glass was replaced and then the same thing happened again. They state they have no recall, just a safety inspection. Service bulletin 24-012. First Date of…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 30, 2026

“My Car Loosing Power The screen is black there is nothing showing on the dashboard this has been happening since August 2025 The SUV accelerate while I am driving or braking even when all of the lane changing and braking systems are turn off this happens often whenever I am driving the vehicle. It…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 31, 2025

2023 Honda HR-V — common questions

Is the 2023 Honda HR-V reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 814 complaints put the 2023 model at #1 of 11 HR-V years. It is one of the HR-V years to avoid.

What are the most common 2023 HR-V problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (400 complaints), other (213 complaints), steering (76 complaints).

Does the 2023 Honda HR-V have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2023 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 2023 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 2023 Honda HR-V?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2023 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.