NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and create an electrical short, potentially causing airbags to deploy unexpectedly during a crash.
This page covers 7 recalls, 204 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2019 Honda HR-V.
28–30 mpg combined
7.8–8.4 L/100km
Small Station Wagons
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2019 HR-V draws the most complaints around its CVT transmission and fuel system. On the transmission side, owners frequently report internal deterioration leading to sudden loss of drive power, often diagnosed as metal debris buildup inside the unit, some cases occurring before 110,000 miles on vehicles with documented service histories. The electrical system is the next most-reported area, with owners describing intermittent warning lights, including brake and ABS indicators cycling on and off without a clear trigger. Fuel system complaints round out the top reported areas, though the narratives there are less consistent in describing a single dominant symptom. A smaller number of owners also mention cosmetic issues like chrome trim peeling, but that appears isolated compared to the drivetrain and electrical patterns.
204
Total Complaints
15
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2019 Honda HR-V has 7 recalls, the most serious involving a passenger seat sensor that may misread occupant weight and cause the front passenger airbag to deploy incorrectly in a crash, raising the risk of injury.
Three recalls address the low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank, which can fail and cause the engine to stall while the vehicle is moving. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue, which is why multiple campaigns cover the same underlying defect. On the brake side, the rear brake caliper pistons may develop gas pockets due to insufficient coating, which reduces braking force and lengthens stopping distances in a way the driver may not notice until they need to stop hard.
There is also a rearview camera concern affecting HR-V vehicles that were previously repaired under an earlier recall. When the engine is started with a key, a design error in the audio display power circuit can prevent the camera image from appearing on the screen entirely, leaving the driver with no view of what is behind the vehicle while reversing. As with the fuel pump, a prior repair attempt did not fully correct this, and a follow-up campaign was issued to address what the first fix left unresolved.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and create an electrical short, potentially causing airbags to deploy unexpectedly during a crash.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat weight sensor at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image may not display when you start the engine with a key due to a design issue in the audio display power circuit.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the display audio unit software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, potentially stopping fuel delivery to the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
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.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the display audio unit software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, potentially stopping fuel delivery to the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, which could prevent fuel from reaching the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear brake caliper pistons lack proper coating, allowing gas pockets to form and reduce braking power.
What the fix does
Dealer will bleed the brakes to restore proper brake function at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.