While driving sometimes I would have to step harder than normal on the brakes to get the vehicle to slow down for some reason felt like it wasn't responding well. I feel the fuel pump isn't running properly. When I was at a stop light and even while driving several time I would accelerate and would feel like it wasn't reasoning to me pressing on the gas pedal. Please help get this fixed almost…
2018 Honda HR-V brakes problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 10 brakes complaints filed for the 2018 Honda HR-V, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 9 model years of Honda HR-V we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 10.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2018 HR-V has multiple documented brake complaints ranging from soft pedal requiring multiple presses to complete failure preventing stops, with at least two collisions reported. Honda issued a recall (Campaign 18V777000) for hydraulic brake issues, but parts were unavailable and some affected VINs were not included in the recall scope.
Owners describe brake problems ranging from spongy response to total failure. In the most severe cases, the brake pedal goes to the floor without stopping the vehicle, forcing owners to pump it multiple times or risk collision. One owner's car refused to stop while reversing out of a driveway and hit the house; the dealer kept it two weeks but couldn't find the problem. Another owner experienced complete brake failure in winter weather, resulting in a total-loss crash.
More common complaints involve the pedal requiring harder-than-normal pressure to slow down, and one owner reported the pedal jittering violently on bumpy roads, creating fear the brakes would fail. A separate incident involved the vehicle accelerating instead of braking during a parking attempt, striking a post.
Honda issued recall campaign 18V777000 for hydraulic brake service issues affecting some model year 2018 HR-Vs, but one owner's specific VIN was not covered. When another owner tried to schedule the recall repair, the dealer reported parts weren't available and Honda couldn't confirm when they'd be in stock. One owner also noted uneven rear brake wear and questioned whether it related to the caliper lining defect mentioned in the recall.
Failure modes owners describe
Brake pedal spongy/insufficient braking response
Brake pedal requires multiple presses or full depression to achieve stopping; vehicle does not stop on initial moderate brake application.
When: 9,800 miles reported in one case; timing unspecified in others
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal travels to floorboard without stopping vehicle; Multiple brake pedal presses required to stop; Loud noises during braking; Reduced braking response requiring harder pressure than normal
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle towed to dealer and kept for two weeks; technicians could not duplicate failure and did not repair. Body damage from collision was repaired but brake failure undiagnosed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 18V777000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) issued; parts unavailable at time of complaint
Complete brake failure
Total loss of braking capability resulting in uncontrolled vehicle motion and collision.
When: Winter weather condition noted in one incident; speeds 30 mph and 5 mph reported
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to stop at traffic control points; Vehicle accelerates instead of braking during parking attempt; Uncontrolled motion resulting in collision damage
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle damaged beyond repair (total loss). Another incident involved collision with parked vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 18V777000 mentioned; one owner reports recall repair completed
Brake pedal jitter under bumpy road conditions
Brake pedal vibrates heavily when brakes applied over rough road surfaces, creating sensation that brakes may fail.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal jitters heavily on bumpy roads; Sensation of brakes giving out for several seconds; Vibration when applying brakes on uneven surfaces
Uneven rear brake wear
Rear brakes wearing unevenly; owner questions relationship to hydraulic system failure.
When: Vehicle passed NY State inspection October 2020
Symptoms owners cite: Uneven wear on rear brake pads or linings
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 18V777000 addresses rear brake calipers with inadequate cylinder lining
Engine stalling after hard braking
Engine stalls immediately following hard brake application.
When: June 2019 and July 2019
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls after applying hard brakes
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
My 2018 Honda hr-v rear brakes are wearing unevenly. Is this related to recall #18v777000 on the rear brake calipers with inadequate cylinder lining? The vehicle passed a new york state inspection in october 2020.
Had brakes trouble with your 2018 Honda HR-V?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2018 Honda HR-V?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 19,843 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Honda/HR-V.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.