2020 Honda HR-V Problems and Top Complaints – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Air bags and electrical system issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners

Updated on Author: Brian Jones

Updated on Author: Brian Jones

Everyone seems to want an SUV these days, with the 2020 Honda HR-V being one of the popular options. The automaker claims it provides “crossover with curb appeal,” but customers can’t get over how many defects it contains. From the faulty air bags to the glitchy electrical system, this Honda is a sheer disappointment.

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NHTSA Complaints for the 2020 Honda HR-V

Complaint CategoryNumber of Complaints
Air Bags
3
Fuel/propulsion System
2
Vehicle Speed Control
2
Service Brakes
2
Unknown Or Other
2
Power Train
1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1

Problems with the Air Bags

Air bags are installed in vehicles to keep the occupants safe, but when they don’t work, everyone is at risk. That’s precisely what is happening with the 2020 Honda HR-V.

One NHTSA complaint says, “The contact owns a 2020 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag protruded through the passenger side instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to [dealer] to be inspected. The mechanic stated that no failure existed with the air bag. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of this failure. The failure mileage was 1,300.”

There’s no reason for the air bag to come through the instrument panel. Clearly, this mechanic wasn’t even sure what he was looking at. Hopefully HR-V owners will never need the air bag, but that seems unlikely when reading service bulletins such as #APaS02262021905. This communication says that the brake pedal might not return to its position, which could cause it to operate poorly. No brakes and no air bags, what could possibly go wrong?

Problems with the Electrical System

Sadly, the electrical system in this Honda is just as faulty, causing owners to take to the Internet to complain.

One Edmunds user says, “Just bought 2 months ago 450 miles and n it. Had to have battery replaced already and having problems with computer resetting constantly.”

Honda is fully aware of issues, even going on to issue Service Bulletin #A20-094 that talks about the Bluetooth HandsFreeLink freezing following a phone call and the inability to pull up stored voice tags. With defects from one end of this car to the other, customers are beginning to agree that it has curb appeal – and that’s exactly where they plan to leave it – parked at the curb.

Your Lemon Law Legal Rights

Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Honda pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.

Complaint Data

CategoryFuel/propulsion System, Power Train, Vehicle Speed Control
DateFeb 08, 2023
StateSC
Description
Sometimes when I am driving on any road flat, incline, up a hill/mountain trying to merge into traffic/pass a vehicle. I think I covered all of the situations. There is a dramatic loss of power or a play or something where I have to push the accelerator all the way to the floor in order for it to get gas or gain speed to pass or to accomplish the task at hand. My 2020 hr-v only has a little over 17,500 miles. I also only put in gas from qt which is a top tier gasoline. So I don't know what the problem is but I am going to end up having a wreck because of this or worse dying because of this problem.
CategoryVehicle Speed Control
DateOct 24, 2022
StateNY
Description
The contact owns a 2020 honda hr-v. The contact stated that while driving at a low speed attempting to park the vehicle at park, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, jumped the curb and crashed into a fence. There were no warning lights illuminated. A police report was filed. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained by the driver or the passenger. There was fire reported. The vehicle was towed to a body shop. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.
CategoryForward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking, Service Brakes
DateJul 05, 2022
StateFL
Description
I drive my car and if I tap the break just a little bit too hard, because I have to stop quickly or at lest slow down, my breaks locks up and I skid… I've never had this before in any car that I have owned. And I have owned hondas before. I told the dealership in richmond indiana and in tampa florida about this problem more than once. They both just brushed it off and told me it was normal. I have complained more than once because my brakes have locked up on me more than once. Sometimes, I am doing 35 miles an hour and while approaching a red light… I try to push down on my brakes a little bit and it may lock up. It's not good… as I've said I have a many new cars and I have never had this problem.
CategoryUnknown Or Other
DateFeb 21, 2022
StateMD
Description
The sun roof exploded. It is available for inspection. Glass was showered into the vehicle as I was driving. I was on a heavy traffic highway- glass was expelled onto the road and vehicles behind me. The car has not yet been inspected by the dealer. Upon initial phone conversation, they advised that I drive the car in to be inspected, but they will not offer a loaner. Then advised I call roadside assistance and have it towed in. They claim no liability or defect in glass. I advised them that I don't feel safe even driving the car even after any possible repair.
CategoryAir Bags
DateJul 06, 2021
StateNY
Description
The car went up in smoke, the airbags never deployed and there was no indicators. The front was all smashed in. I'm completely disabled.
CategoryAir Bags
DateJul 06, 2021
StateNY
Description
The car was inspected about 2 weeks prior to the accident. Airbags never deployed nor indicated and the car was smashed in. Electrical problem as I should have seen an indicator and airbags never deploy (wearing seat belt, neck injury, shoulder and back and bilateral knee injuries)and I am as per dr. Order on medical leave as a result of this auto incident.
CategoryService Brakes
DateApr 08, 2021
StatePA
Description
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 honda hr-v. The contact stated while reversing out of the driveway, the brakes failed to function. As a result, the vehicle reversed into a parked vehicle that was in the driveway. The contact stated no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to have it diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.
CategoryFuel/propulsion System
DateApr 02, 2021
StateCA
Description
Bought new honda from dealer, less than 4700 miles. Car would not accelerate after pushing gas pedal on highway and local while driving, it slows down to a dangerous speed.
CategoryUnknown Or Other
DateNov 18, 2020
StateVT
Description
The video screen radio installed in this vehicle is so difficult to use that it's more dangerous than watching tv and driving. It lacks tactile controls and requires 4 to 6 touch screen inputs to access a screen that remotely resembles a radio. Even as a passenger I cannot access basic functions without multiple tries.
CategoryAir Bags
DateJul 10, 2020
StateSC
Description
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 honda hr-v. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag protruded through the passenger side instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to breakaway honda located at 330 woodruff rd, greenville, sc 29607, to be inspected. The mechanic stated that no failure existed with the air bag. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,300.

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Brian Jones

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.

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