2021 Honda HR-V Problems and Top Complaints – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Structure 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

When customers look to own a new vehicle, they often gravitate toward the 2021 Honda HR-V. After all, it has great looks and Honda boasts about the latest lineup. In fact, the company’s tagline is “Discover just how tough Honda can be.” Well, it would be a good thing if this Honda is tough, with tough skin, because the internet is blowing up with complaints about this crossover, ranging from the way the structure was built to the complicated electrical system.

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NHTSA Complaints for the 2021 Honda HR-V

Complaint CategoryNumber of Complaints
Service Brakes
3
Vehicle Speed Control
2
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
1
Electrical System:ignition
1
Air Bags
1
Engine
1
Power Train
1

Problems with the Structure

Starting off with how the HR-V is built, it’s clear that the older standards that Honda had no longer apply. The company has fallen on its face recently with providing an economical and reliable vehicle.

Just read this Cars.com review. “I expected less road noise with this vehicle. I even got the undercoat which was supposed to help, but it really didn’t. I was hoping for a quieter ride than my last Honda.”

That’s right! The owner even paid for additional equipment in hopes that it would reduce road noise. Why should an owner even have to worry about such things on a new vehicle? It seems ridiculous that Honda not only put this on the customer but didn’t follow through even when the actual equipment was added. There’s still road noise and no service bulletins or factory communication about how to resolve the issue. Guess they are just acting “tough.”

Problems with the Electrical System

There’s a lot of electronics in today’s vehicles, but the majority of automakers ensure that everything is laid out easily and works seamlessly. Such is not the case with the Honda HR-V.

In fact, here’s one KBB complaint. “Wish you could customize/personalize the displays more. Some of the tech features could be simplified.”

Again, there are no communications from the manufacturer, so no one knows what is really going on behind the scenes. Call it tough love, but it appears that Honda doesn’t care about its customers anymore or about building a solid vehicle.

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

CategoryVehicle Speed Control
DateDec 24, 2022
StateOH
Description
The car accelerated unexpectedly, yes it is available for inspection, I have not taken to dealer. Car has not been inspected by any police dealer etc. No warning lights appeared. Yes car accelerated toward several on coming cars. I shifted gear from neutral with brake to drive with unexpected acceleration.
CategoryForward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking, Service Brakes
DateFeb 25, 2022
StateTN
Description
When you're driving down the highway your break automatically come on. The brake light comes on it goes beep beep and the brakes slams on really hard and you can hear you the brakes grinding. And there's nothing in front of you no cars or anything and it's done that three times on me just today. It's been doing that off and on for about 2 months now.
CategoryForward Collision Avoidance: Warnings, Service Brakes, Vehicle Speed Control
DateFeb 25, 2022
StateVA
Description
I've taken this vehicle to dealership 5 times between october 2021 and february 18, 2022. Three different times the brakes activated without my touching them. Three other times the brakes stopped the car even as I was slowing down for a stoplight. This could cause someone behind me to "rear-end" my car. I have been to my dealership four times and they could not duplicate the issue, no codes found so they could not fix it. One other was a dealership out of town. On the fourth visit to my dealership, the cameras were adjusted and front wheels aligned. After fifth visit, the service coordinator supposedly turned off vsa, but the brakes applied themselves two more times. Every time these incidents occur the indicator "brake" flashes on. I tried to scan invoices but they were too large.
CategoryElectrical System:ignition
DateNov 08, 2021
StateNC
Description
The contact owns a 2021 honda hr-v. The contact stated that the key would not go in the ignition. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The failure recurred and while taking the vehicle back to the dealer, the vehicle would not turn off. The dealer was able to turn off the vehicle but could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 876.
CategoryAir Bags
DateSep 30, 2021
StateGA
Description
The srs light came on one morning when I started my car. I haven't done anything for this to happen. When the break indicator comes up when too close to a vehicle my car make sudden breaks and stop.
CategoryService Brakes
DateAug 14, 2021
StateNY
Description
Brakes make scrapping sound as if the emergency brake was on.
CategoryEngine
DateJun 21, 2021
StateNY
Description
The contact owns a 2021 honda hr-v. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and attempting to accelerate the vehicle loss power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal to the floorboard however the vehicle failed to move. There were no warning lights illuminated the contact changed the fuel to a 93 octane however there was no improvement. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the vehicle was working as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 0.
CategoryPower Train
DateApr 07, 2021
StateMI
Description
When I start my car and shift it from reverse to drive on cold mornings, there is a pronounced delay in the car moving. In addition, when I have to abruptly brake the transmission occasionally slips and/or skips. I brought this car brand new and I have only had it seven weeks. I should not have performance issues at the stage. My previous car was a honda accord with 310,000 miles and the transmission started to decline similar to this in the last few months. The car is at the dealership now and they said they cannot replicate this issue. The weather is starting to become warmer and my concern is that they will minimize my concerns until it is no longer covered under warranty. Mike in the service department indicated that I have a cvt transmission. However, a car's transmission should not be delayed in moving especially if it is new. I am writing because I do not want someone else to experience purchasing a new vehicle with performance issues.

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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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