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.
What the fix does
This page covers 5 recalls, 79 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2020 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
Electrical and drivetrain issues dominate what owners of the 2020 Honda HR-V report. The CVT transmission draws the most detailed complaints, owners describe sudden loss of acceleration, the vehicle dropping to very low speeds while in motion, bucking, and warning lights flooding the dashboard. Several report the transmission failing outright, sometimes with little or no warning. The electrical system is the second-most-reported area, with owners describing driver-assist features, including collision mitigation, lane keeping, and steering assist, going offline together, often accompanied by multiple warning lights. A handful of owners also report issues with OBD monitors failing to reset after battery service, which blocks state emissions inspections. On the fuel system side, complaints point to hesitation and irregular throttle response that overlaps with the CVT behavior owners describe.
79
Total Complaints
8
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2020 Honda HR-V has 5 recalls, the most serious involving the front passenger seat sensor, which can misread occupancy in a crash and cause the passenger airbag to deploy incorrectly, raising the risk of injury.
The fuel system also has a recall worth noting: the low-pressure fuel pump can fail while the engine is running, cutting fuel delivery and stalling the car in traffic without warning. A stall at highway speeds or in an intersection leaves the driver with reduced braking and steering capability until the engine restarts.
The remaining two recalls both involve the rearview camera failing to show an image when the engine is started with a key, due to a fault in the display's power circuit. An earlier repair attempt for this issue did not fully resolve it, which is why a second recall was issued. Without the camera image, the driver loses the rear view display when backing up, relying entirely on mirrors and direct sight lines to detect obstacles or pedestrians behind the vehicle.
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.
What the fix does
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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 →
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 front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which could prevent the front passenger air bag from deactivating when it should.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat weight sensors 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.