CarBrief

The 2018 Honda HR-V has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA, and two of them are for a fuel pump that can fail and stall the engine[1][2][3]. Owners filed 159 complaints, and the electrical system is named most often[4][5].

159owner complaints[4]
3recalls[1]
28–31MPG combined (EPA)[6]
5★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 159 owner complaints on file for the 2018 HR-V[4]. Of those, 11 mention a crash, 5 mention injuries, and none mention a fire or a death[4]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints
Electrical system[5] 49
Fuel system, gasoline[8] 27
Unknown or other[9] 22
Brakes[10] 15
Power train[11] 15
Fuel/propulsion system[12] 14
Engine[13] 13
Structure[14] 11

We read a small sample of complaint texts for the top groups. These themes come from that sample only, not from all owners.

Electrical system. In the sample, 5 of 12 texts describe a display, gauge or set of dashboard warning lights that glitches or lights up[5]. Two of 12 describe a car that was slow to start or would not start[5]. The median mileage at failure for this group is 26,500[5].

Fuel system. In the sample, 9 of 12 texts come from owners who name a fuel pump recall and say the repair part was not yet available when they asked[8]. Five of 12 describe a loss of power, hesitation or stalling while driving[8]. The median mileage at failure is 43,000[8].

Brakes. Five of the 15 brake complaints mention a crash and 2 mention an injury[10]. That is more crashes than any other group in the table[5][9][10][14]. In the sample, 5 of 12 texts describe brakes that did not stop the car as expected or needed a harder push[10]. Two of 12 name the rear brake caliper recall[10][15]. The median mileage at failure is 10,767[10].

Power train. In the sample, 7 of 12 texts describe a sudden loss of power or slowing down while driving, and 7 of 12 say the transmission was diagnosed or replaced[11]. The median mileage at failure is 95,861, higher than the groups above[11]. These complaints list no crashes or injuries[11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 HR-V[1]. Newest first:

Check your own VIN with NHTSA to see which recalls apply to your car. Some owners in the complaint sample said their VIN was not included in a recall, and others said the repair part was not yet available when they contacted a dealer[8][10].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for the 1.8L 4-cylinder engine on regular gas:

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
FWD, Manual 6-spd[16] 25 / 33 / 28 $2,400
FWD, Automatic (variable gear ratios)[6] 28 / 34 / 31 $2,150
FWD, Automatic (AV-S7)[17] 28 / 34 / 31 $2,150
AWD, Automatic (variable gear ratios)[18] 27 / 31 / 29 $2,300
AWD, Automatic (AV-S7)[19] 27 / 31 / 29 $2,300

The EPA annual cost uses today's fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2018 HR-V 5 stars overall in both versions[7][20]. Frontal crash is 4 stars, side crash is 5 stars and rollover is 4 stars[7][20]. The rollover risk is 13.5% for AWD[7] and 15.3% for FWD[20].

Engine and size

The EPA lists the 1.8L 4-cylinder at 138 hp[21]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[22][23].

FWD AWD
Length[23][22] 169 in 169 in
Width[23][22] 70 in 70 in
Height[23][22] 63 in 63 in
Wheelbase[23][22] 103 in 103 in
Curb weight[23][22] 2,910 lb 3,062 lb

How 2018 compares with other years

2016: 243 complaints, 2 recalls20162017: 123 complaints, 0 recalls20172018: 159 complaints, 3 recalls15920182019: 236 complaints, 7 recalls20192020: 85 complaints, 5 recalls20202021: 63 complaints, 4 recalls20212022: 89 complaints, 3 recalls20222023: 687 complaints, 3 recalls20232024: 110 complaints, 4 recalls20242025: 47 complaints, 1 recalls20252026: 18 complaints, 0 recalls20262027: 6 complaints, 0 recalls2027
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each HR-V model year. The 2018 is highlighted[1].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20162432
20171230
20181593
20192367
2020855
2021634
2022893
20236873
20241104
2025471
2026180
202760

NHTSA data for each HR-V model year shows where 2018 sits[1]:

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2018 HR-V?

The 2018 HR-V earns 5 stars overall from NHTSA[7][20], and its EPA combined rating runs from 28 to 31 MPG depending on version[16][6][18]. Against that, it has 3 recalls, and two of them involve a fuel pump that can stall the engine[2][3]. Before buying, check that the VIN has no open recalls and ask for proof that the fuel pump and brake caliper work were done. Owners also describe electrical and power train trouble in the complaint sample we read, so a careful test drive and an inspection are sensible[5][11]. Complaints are unverified, so they show what owners reported, not how often a part fails.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Honda HR-V?
The electrical system is named most often, in 49 of 159 NHTSA complaints[4][5]. Fuel system follows with 27 and brakes and power train have 15 each[4][5][8][10][11].
Does the 2018 Honda HR-V have recalls?
Yes, 3[1]. Two cover a fuel pump that may fail and stall the engine (23V858 and 20V314), and one covers rear brake calipers (18V777). Each is fixed by the dealer at no cost[2][3][15].
What is the gas mileage of a 2018 Honda HR-V?
EPA combined ratings are 28 MPG for the manual FWD, 31 MPG for automatic FWD and 29 MPG for automatic AWD[16][6][18].
How safe is the 2018 Honda HR-V?
NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall for both FWD and AWD, with 4 stars for frontal crash and rollover[7][20].
Is 2018 a good year for the Honda HR-V?
It has 159 complaints and 3 recalls[1]. That is fewer complaints than 2016, 2019 and 2023, but more than 2017 with 123[1].

Facts and sources

  1. Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda HR-V model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  2. Recall 23V858, filed December 18, 2023: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 20V314, filed May 28, 2020: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  4. NHTSA has 159 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Honda HR-V (11 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 49 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. EPA rating for HR-V FWD, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 34 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 13.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 27 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 22 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 15 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 10,767). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 15 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,861). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 14 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 13 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 11 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. Recall 18V777, filed November 1, 2018: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper. NHTSA recall database
  16. EPA rating for HR-V FWD, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for HR-V FWD, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 34 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for HR-V AWD, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 31 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for HR-V AWD, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 31 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2018 Honda HR-V with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 138 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HR-V 4DR CUV AWD: length 169 in, width 70 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,062 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HR-V 4DR CUV FWD: length 169 in, width 70 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,910 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.