Is the 2018 Honda HR-V a bad year?
160 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other HR-V years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2018 Honda HR-V are in line with other HR-V years. Electrical system and fuel system stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2018 HR-V owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 33,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 50 (31%) | 12k–61k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 41 (26%) | 12k–64k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 16 (10%) | 9k–96k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 13 (8%) | 5k–70k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 15 (9%) | 4k–12k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 11 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 10 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 33,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 160 complaints: 11 mention a crash · 5 report an injury · 11 say the car was towed.
32 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2018 Honda HR-V: 3
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 81
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2018 Honda HR-V. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some customers have complained of fluid leaking from the rear differential after it has been serviced due to over-torqueing of the drain plugs during servicing
Today, April 27, 2021, American Honda is announcing a product update and warranty extension for certain 2016-2020 HR-V vehicles to address incorrect CVT…
The vehicle may not start upon first press of the ENGINE START/STOP button
ServiceNews Article - Have you noticed the fill plug on a CVT has popped out or seems to be leaking
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Rear Differential Seizure
Neighbouring years
2017 HR-V: 124 complaints, keep it · 2019 HR-V: 242 complaints, keep it.
Every Honda HR-V year
2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All HR-V years side by side
Other Honda models: Honda Accord · Honda Accord Hybrid · Honda CR-V · Honda CR-V Hybrid · Honda Civic · Honda Civic Hybrid · Honda Civic Si · Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid · Honda Crosstour · Honda Element · Honda Fit · Honda GL1800 · Honda Insight · Honda Odyssey · Honda Passport · Honda Pilot · Honda Prologue · Honda Ridgeline · Honda VTX1300. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2018 Honda HR-V a bad year?
160 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other HR-V years. At 33,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Honda HR-V?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (50), fuel system (41), transmission and drivetrain (16), engine (13), brakes (15).
How many recalls does the 2018 Honda HR-V have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 23V-858), Fuel system (NHTSA 20V-314), Brakes (NHTSA 18V-777). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.