2017 Honda HR-V problems
The 2017 Honda HR-V has 120 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2017 Honda HR-V has 120 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 31 complaints, typically surfacing around 90,399 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 HR-V | 238 | 1 |
| 2017 HR-V (this page) | 120 | 0 |
| 2018 HR-V | 151 | 0 |
| 2019 HR-V | 219 | 0 |
| 2020 HR-V | 80 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2017 Honda HR-V SUV FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2017 Honda HR-V? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 31 owner reports · tends to show around 90,399 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 27 owner reports · tends to show around 35,469 mi · ~$850 to fix
- body — 11 owner reports · tends to show around 18,500 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
- brakes — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 31,000 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: body is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 18,500 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2017 Honda HR-V
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The fuses for the cigarette lighter, which I commonly use to charge my cell phone goes bad a week after it's fixed at the dealership. Then when I start to use the USB port to charge my cell phone, that fuse malfunctions as well. The Honda tech who worked on my car the first time…
I’ve been to the Honda dealership twice. My passenger brake light is flickering and I’ve noticed other Honda vehicles on the road with the same passenger brake light out. I’ve googled and many people are having the same problem. Honda can’t seem to fix the problem because they…
My dad had a terrible accident last night. He said there seems to have a problem with brake. While he applied the brake to slow down before taking the exit 9 on I-395, the brake was slipped and steering was locked. As a result, he hit a guard rail pretty strong and the front of…
In cold weather lcd display of dash display malfunction, no odometer reading, fuel or maintanance reminders on 12/18/2023. Only lasted 10 minutes but was concerning. car is out of warranty 42,000 miles , lots reports of same thing on HRV forum, goes all the way back 8 years…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2017 Honda HR-V reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 120 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Honda HR-V is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2017 Honda HR-V?
On the NHTSA data, the 2017 Honda HR-V does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2017 Honda HR-V?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 31 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 90,399 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2017 Honda HR-V a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 120 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 90,399 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 Honda HR-V?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 31 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 90,399 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 90,399 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Honda HR-V has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 Honda HR-V?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 120 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.