CarBrief

NHTSA has 18 owner complaints on file for the 2026 HR-V and lists no recalls for it[1][2]. Early reports are few, so this is a first look and not a track record.

18owner complaints[1]
27–28MPG combined (EPA)[3]
5★NHTSA overall rating[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 18 owner complaints for this model year[1]. One mentions a fire, one mentions injuries, and none mention a crash or a death[1]. These are owner reports and NHTSA does not verify them. One complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints
Unknown or other[5] 6
Electrical system[6] 4
Lane departure[7] 3
Power train[8] 2
Steering[9] 2
Brakes[10] 2
Visibility/wiper[11] 1
Structure[12] 1

We read the text of a sample of these complaints. Counts are small, so none of these groups is a pattern yet.

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Recalls

NHTSA shows 0 recalls on file for the 2026 HR-V[2]. That can change as the model year ages, so check the VIN on NHTSA's recall page before you buy.

Fuel economy

EPA rates the front-wheel-drive HR-V at 26 city, 32 highway and 28 combined MPG, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,400[3]. The all-wheel-drive version is rated 25 city, 30 highway and 27 combined, at $2,500 a year[13]. Both use a 2.0L 4-cylinder, regular fuel and an automatic with variable gear ratios[13][3]. The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the all-wheel-drive HR-V 5 stars overall, 5 frontal, 5 side and 4 rollover, with a rollover risk of 14.3%[4]. The front-wheel-drive version has the same star ratings and a rollover risk of 14.0%[14].

Engine and size

The 2.0L 4-cylinder is rated at 158 hp on the EPA test car list[15]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[16][17].

AWD FWD
Length 180 in 180 in
Width 72 in 72 in
Height 63 in 63 in
Wheelbase 105 in 105 in
Curb weight[16][17] 3,311 lb 3,197 lb

How 2026 compares with other years

2016: 243 complaints, 2 recalls20162017: 123 complaints, 0 recalls20172018: 159 complaints, 3 recalls20182019: 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 recalls1820262027: 6 complaints, 0 recalls2027
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each HR-V model year. The 2026 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20162432
20171230
20181593
20192367
2020855
2021634
2022893
20236873
20241104
2025471
2026180
202760

At 18 complaints, 2026 is below every earlier HR-V model year in NHTSA's list, and the lowest of those is 2025 with 47[2]. The 2027 model year shows 6 complaints[2]. The highest year is 2023 with 687[2]. For recalls, 2026 has 0, the same as 2017 and 2027[2]. A new model year has had less time to collect complaints, so the low count says little on its own.

Should you buy a used 2026 HR-V?

The file so far is light, with 18 complaints and no recalls[1][2]. Crash ratings are strong at 5 stars overall[4][14]. The reports about warnings, brakes and infotainment are few, but they are worth checking on a test drive. Ask the dealer about any open warranty work and run the VIN through NHTSA. Our data does not cover price, reliability scores or long-term ownership.

Frequently asked questions

What problems does the 2026 Honda HR-V have?
NHTSA has 18 complaints[1]. The largest named groups are electrical with 4 and lane departure with 3, and 6 name an unknown or other component[1][5][6][7].
Has the 2026 Honda HR-V been recalled?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2026 model year[2].
What MPG does the 2026 Honda HR-V get?
EPA rates it at 28 combined MPG in front-wheel drive and 27 combined in all-wheel drive[13][3].
Is the 2026 Honda HR-V safe?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall in both drive types, with 4 stars for rollover[4][14].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 18 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Honda HR-V (0 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda HR-V model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for HR-V FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 32 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 6 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 4 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 3 complaints name the lane departure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 2 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 2 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 2 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 1 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 1 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for HR-V AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 30 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA Test Car List, 2026 Honda HR-V with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 158 hp. www.epa.gov
  16. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HR-V 4DR SUV AWD: length 180 in, width 72 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,311 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HR-V 4DR SUV FWD: length 180 in, width 72 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,197 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.