Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2021 HR-V AWDs with a customer complaint of inaccurate fuel gauge reading; less fuel remains in the fuel tank than indicated on the fuel gauge. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Honda HR-V electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2018 Honda HR-V have filed 44 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 33,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
44
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 HR-V | 50 |
| 2017 HR-V | 27 |
| 2018 HR-V (this page) | 44 |
| 2019 HR-V | 60 |
| 2020 HR-V | 18 |
| 2021 HR-V | 13 |
| 2022 HR-V | 22 |
3crashes
2injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 44 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 11 model years of Honda HR-V in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2021 HR-V AWDs with a customer complaint of inaccurate fuel gauge reading; less fuel remains in the fuel tank than indicated on the fuel gauge. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Owner Notification Letter - The vehicle may not start upon first press of the ENGINE START/STOP button. Also, the MID displays the error message KEYLESS START SYSTEM ERROR, and DTC B12C5 (Engine Start/Stop Switch Failure) is stored. American Honda is extending the warranty on the engine start/stop switch to 9 years from the original date of purchase or 125,000 miles, whichever comes first.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The vehicle may not start upon first press of the ENGINE START/STOP button. Also, MID displays the error message KEYLESS START SYSTEM ERROR, and DTC B12C5 (Engine Start/Stop Switch Failure) is stored. American Honda is extending the warranty for the keyless start system on these vehicles to 9 years from the original date of purchase or 125,000 miles, whichever comes first.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - Today, December 9, 2020, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2015-17 Fit, 2016-18 HR-V, 2016-17 Pilot, and 2017 Ridgeline vehicles. This warranty extension covers the engine start/stop switch to address concerns of difficulty in starting or stopping the engine. American Honda is extending the warranty coverage of the engine start/stop switch to 9 years from the original date of purchase or 125,000 miles, whichever comes first.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint by far is instrument cluster failure: the right-side display (odometer, fuel gauge, temperature) goes dark, flickers with garbage characters, or simply won't light up—usually in cold weather below 40°F. Owners report the display comes back after warming the car or, in one case, after physically tapping the dashboard. This issue emerges 2–4 years into ownership and recurs intermittently. Dealerships acknowledge it as a known manufacturing defect (cracked solder joints on lead-free circuit boards) but offer only full cluster replacement at $1,300–$2,365. Replacement clusters reportedly fail the same way because Honda uses the same solder.
Starting problems plague early ownership: the engine won't crank or requires multiple attempts despite a good battery. All dash lights illuminate simultaneously, then everything resets. This has stranded owners repeatedly.
Two separate complaints describe catastrophic electrical events: one vehicle accelerated uncontrollably while pulling slowly into a parking spot and crashed into a barrier; another lost all power (dashboard black, doors locking/unlocking, brakes failed) mid-intersection, resulting in a collision and the driver's mouth hitting the steering wheel when airbags did not deploy. Both vehicles returned scan codes pointing to control module sensor faults. Honda's investigation remains unresolved months later.
Additional electrical gremlins include door locks cycling uncontrollably (some owners can't unlock their car without 10+ attempts), the stereo cutting out with loud noises, and a fuel gauge sending unit displaying half a tank when the car was empty—a hazard that leaves drivers stranded without warning.
Same Honda HR-V electrical reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Instrument Cluster Display Failure (Intermittent/Cold-Related)
The right-side instrument cluster LCD display (containing odometer, fuel gauge, temperature, and trip information) goes dark, flickers chaotically, displays garbled/unreadable characters, or fails to illuminate—especially in cold weather below 40°F. Owners report the display sometimes stays off for 10+ minutes before returning or require tapping/banging the dashboard to restore function. The issue appears temperature-dependent and occurs intermittently over several years of ownership.
When: Intermittent; primarily in cold weather (below 40°F); starts occurring 2–4 years after purchase; one owner at 33k miles, another at 59k miles, another at 100k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete blackout of odometer, fuel gauge, temperature display; Flickering with garbled or unintelligible characters; Partial display of incorrect numbers; Display returns to normal after warming up or after 10+ minutes; Requires physical tapping on dashboard to restore display
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships quote $1,300–$2,365 for full instrument cluster replacement. Owners report Honda acknowledges the issue is caused by cracked lead-free solder joints on the circuit board; replacement clusters are manufactured with the same solder and fail similarly. Some dealers recommend tapping the dashboard as a temporary workaround.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda dealerships acknowledge manufacturing design flaw (cracked solder); Honda Corporate references internal service notices for CRVs and Civics but has not issued a recall or technical service bulletin for HR-V models. No warranty coverage or goodwill repair programs mentioned.
Fuel Gauge Inoperability
The fuel gauge display fails to show remaining fuel level, either going completely blank or showing erroneous readings. Owners cannot determine when to refuel and risk running out of gas without warning. One owner reports a faulty fuel level sending unit displaying almost half a tank while the vehicle was empty; another reports the gauge shows jumbled letters or partial characters.
When: Intermittent, often starting at low mileage (under 2,000 miles reported in one case); also reported at 100k+ miles; one case at undisclosed mileage with diagnosis of sending unit failure
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge display completely blank or non-functional; Fuel gauge shows jumbled letters/numbers or partial characters; Inaccurate fuel level reading (e.g., showing half tank when empty); Low fuel warning does not appear; Inability to determine refueling needs while driving
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's mechanic diagnosed faulty fuel level sending unit; repair estimate $2,200 (tow $500+). Cluster replacement quotes range $1,300–$2,365. One owner asked why the fuel sending unit was not included in fuel pump recalls.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or TSBs issued for fuel gauge or sending unit. Dealers offer paid replacement only; no warranty coverage mentioned.
Loss of Odometer Display
The odometer display fails, goes dark, flickers, or shows incorrect mileage. Owners cannot verify accurate mileage for vehicle registration, emission testing, or service documentation. In one case, a mechanic could not read the odometer for inspection records, potentially causing registration or inspection failure.
When: Intermittent; often in cold weather; reported across 18k–100k+ miles; one owner notes it has been occurring for over a year
Symptoms owners cite: Odometer display goes completely dark or does not illuminate on startup; Odometer flickers on and off while driving; Odometer fails to register or record mileage; Display shows incorrect or no mileage information; Mechanics unable to read odometer for vehicle registration/inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Requires full instrument cluster replacement ($1,300–$2,365). One owner concerned replacement cluster will fail due to same solder defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB; Honda offers only paid cluster replacement.
Multiple Dashboard Warning Lights Illuminating (Intermittent/False Alerts)
Multiple warning lights (brake, motor, oil, air, tire pressure, airbag, VSA/ABS) illuminate simultaneously like a Christmas tree, often without corresponding vehicle malfunction. Lights reset temporarily after dealer intervention but return repeatedly. One owner reports lights illuminated within days of new car purchase; another experienced lights during normal driving with no clear fault.
When: Within days of purchase (brand-new 2018 model); recurring at 1–3 month intervals; one case at 38k miles with BCM failure diagnosis
Symptoms owners cite: All/multiple dashboard warning lights illuminate simultaneously; No clear pattern or trigger for lights appearing; Lights persist even after dealer reset; Vehicle may stall or lose power while lights are active; Owner cannot determine which system is actually faulty
Codes mentioned: P0793 (reported in one CVT-related case)
Repairs/costs cited: One case required Body Control Module (BCM) replacement at 38k miles. Another case involved oil pump replacement. Most cases treated as transient faults with resets; no root cause identified by dealers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to reproduce faults; no clear recalls or TSBs. One owner's case resulted in BCM replacement with manufacturer case filed and referral to NHTSA.
Starting/Crank Failure (Battery/Electrical)
The vehicle fails to start or requires multiple attempts to crank, even after battery replacement. Dashboard lights illuminate (sometimes as a Christmas tree), but the engine will not turn over. Issue appears intermittent and sometimes resolves after waiting 30–60 minutes. One case involved battery replacement at dealership; another involved a vehicle with brand-new battery replacement still experiencing the problem.
When: Early ownership (within 1–9 months); recurring 2–3 times per week to once per month; reported at 10k miles and 20k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to crank/start on first try; Multiple start attempts required before engine catches; All dashboard lights illuminate during crank failure; Engine cranks briefly then dies while idling or at low speed; Issue resolves after 30–60 minute wait or dashboard reset
Repairs/costs cited: One dealership replaced battery; issue persisted after replacement. Dealers unable to identify root cause on multiple visits. No repair completed in several documented cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers reset vehicle electronics; battery replacement offered. No recall or TSB issued.
Unintended Acceleration / Loss of Brake Control
In two critical incidents, the vehicle accelerated to full speed without driver input, or the braking system malfunctioned during intersection crossing. In one case, the car accelerated while slowly pulling into a parking lot, went over a concrete barrier into shrubs. In another, while entering an intersection, doors locked/unlocked, dashboard went black, car shut off, and brakes did not respond, resulting in collision and injuries (teeth knocked out, airbags did not deploy).
When: August 2023 (incident #1); September 2025 (incident #2); no prior warning in either case
Symptoms owners cite: Uncontrolled acceleration to full speed with no driver input; Complete loss of braking responsiveness; Dashboard blackout during event; Doors lock/unlock uncontrollably; Airbags fail to deploy despite collision impact; Vehicle shut off mid-intersection crossing
Codes mentioned: U0416 (Invalid Data Received from Vehicle Dynamics Control Module), B00D5 (Occupant Classification System Sensor Fault), B0090 (Left Frontal Restraints Sensor Incorrect Component Installed)
Repairs/costs cited: First incident: electronic brake switch found turned on with no indicator; disc brake pads replaced due to wear. Second incident: body shop held vehicle 5 months, labeled it unsafe, unable to clear codes; Honda referred owner to American Honda Motors FTS inspection (ongoing with no updates as of Feb 2025). Codes remain unresolved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: First incident: dealership found electronic brake switch issue and replaced pads. Second incident: Honda recalled vehicle for fuel pump (March 2025); American Honda Motors directed investigation but no resolution provided; field technical specialist inspection appointment promised but not delivered.
Electronic Brake Switch / Parking Brake False Alerts
The electronic parking brake switch activates or displays incorrectly. In one case, the car would not start on first try, and the speaker announced to release the parking brake when it was already released and the vehicle was driving. Dealers ran diagnostics but found no issue. In the critical incident case, the electronic brake switch was found turned on with no indication to the driver.
When: Early ownership (within months); one case at time of critical acceleration incident
Symptoms owners cite: Speaker announces 'release parking brake' while driving with brake already released; Vehicle will not start on first attempt; Electronic brake switch turns on without driver action or indication
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnostics unable to identify root cause in most cases. In one critical incident, the electronic brake switch was found activated; brake pads were also replaced.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall; dealership diagnostics inconclusive.
Body Control Module (BCM) Failure
The Body Control Module failed, causing multiple electrical system failures: headlights and alarm engaging independently, battery drain, vehicle stalling while idling, and unknown warning lights. The vehicle remained undiagnosed at the dealer until BCM replacement was identified as necessary.
When: At approximately 38,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights engage independently while parked; Alarm sounds independently while parked; Battery drains while vehicle is parked; Multiple unknown warning lights illuminate; Vehicle stalls while idling; Difficulty starting vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: BCM replacement required; repair status unknown as of complaint submission. Repair cost not provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted and case filed; owner referred to NHTSA Hotline. No warranty coverage mentioned.
Door Lock/Unlock Malfunction
Doors lock and unlock uncontrollably—either when unlocking the vehicle (requires 10+ attempts to enter), or involuntarily while the vehicle is in operation. In one critical case, doors locked/unlocked uncontrollably mid-intersection crossing during the unintended acceleration/brake failure event. In another, doors lock automatically when the entry door is opened, and the car locks itself with keys inside.
When: Ongoing; one critical case during September 2025 incident; another case mentions issue since vehicle purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Doors lock automatically when trying to unlock the vehicle; Requires multiple (10+) unlock attempts to enter vehicle; Doors lock/unlock uncontrollably while vehicle is in operation; Car locks itself with keys inside; Door locks uncontrollable during safety-critical events (e.g., intersection crossing)
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented. Dealers unable to identify root cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB issued.
Stereo Malfunction
The stereo system turns on and off intermittently, makes loud sharp noises, then shuts off completely. Steering wheel control buttons for stereo also fail intermittently.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Stereo turns on and off uncontrollably; Loud sharp noises emitted from speakers; Stereo shuts off during operation; Steering wheel stereo control buttons fail to function
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB mentioned.
Transmission / CVT Malfunction (P0793)
The transmission displayed error codes and the vehicle became sluggish with unusual sounds. The dashboard showed the car actively shifting gears while in traffic. One owner reports a CVT belt deterioration issue with Honda service bulletin 21-047 issued for warranty extension, but the vehicle was denied warranty coverage because it was 11 months and 29 days out of the 3-year warranty period.
When: At 86,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard displays vehicle shifting gears while in traffic; Vehicle becomes sluggish; Unusual engine sounds; Multiple dashboard lights blink
Codes mentioned: P0793
Repairs/costs cited: Service bulletin 21-047 (CVT belt deterioration warranty extension) exists. Repair cost not provided. Owner denied goodwill request despite bulletin existence.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda issued service bulletin 21-047 for CVT belt deterioration warranty extension, but the vehicle was outside the 3-year warranty by 11 months and 29 days; goodwill repair request denied.
Airbag Non-Deployment
During a collision resulting from the unintended acceleration/brake failure incident (September 2025), the airbags did not deploy. The driver's mouth struck the steering wheel, knocking out three teeth (which had previous dental work). Scan codes indicated occupant classification system sensor fault and incorrect component installed.
When: September 17, 2025 collision
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags fail to deploy during frontal collision; Driver strikes steering wheel and mouth with no airbag protection
Codes mentioned: B00D5 (Occupant Classification System Sensor Fault), B0090 (Left Frontal Restraints Sensor Incorrect Component Installed)
Repairs/costs cited: Codes B00D5 and B0090 indicate occupant classification sensor and restraint sensor issues. Codes remain unresolved as of February 2025 (body shop unable to clear; Honda investigation ongoing without resolution).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No resolution provided as of February 2025. American Honda Motors investigation pending.
Window Stiction / Sticky Window
The front driver-side window becomes sticky and difficult to operate when left overnight, particularly in cold or damp conditions. Dealership diagnostics unable to identify cause.
When: Intermittent; when car left overnight
Symptoms owners cite: Front driver-side window difficult to open/close; Window stiction occurs after overnight parking
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnostics found nothing; no repair completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB; dealership unable to address.
Fuel Pump Recall / Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Malfunction
Multiple owners mention fuel pump recalls. One owner had a fuel pump recall service performed in March 2025; another mentions recalls 135 (Brake System, low pressure fuel pump, and fuel pump inside fuel tank). However, fuel gauge/sending unit failures persist even after recall service.
When: Recalls referenced in complaints; one owner had fuel pump recall service March 2025, but fuel system issues continued
Symptoms owners cite: Related to fuel system electrical components
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump recalls have been issued; one owner questions why fuel level sending unit was not included in recall scope.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Fuel pump recalls issued (Recall #135 referenced); however, fuel gauge and sending unit issues not addressed by recall.
Synthesized from 44 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
I’m having an issue where the odometer/trip/fuel display is dark when I start the car and then it will flicker on and off with gibberish. Eventually it will display accurately.
Instrument gauge cluster circuit holders are failing. As a result, the odometer screen, screen for oil and gas do not light up. This is dangerous as you are unable to know when you need to fill up or if your car has enough oil. It can result in running out of gas in an unsafe location or ceasing the engine.
The instrument panel with the odometer and gas gauge goes out completely at random times. Before the panel goes dark, the display flickers chaotically. I always note the issue to the dealership when I service my car. On the 2nd occasion, I was told the entire panel would have to be replaced at a cost of $1800. I told the service tech that I could not afford that expense. His recommendation was to…
Instrument panel periodically fails to display fuel information. Panel will either turn off entirely or flash in random patterns. At worst, this results in not knowing how much fuel is left in the vehicle (and not even being able to see a low gas warning), which could lead to running out of gas in unsafe situations. The odometer and warning display text indicators are also affected, which are…
Just bought this car in a private party sale. As with other complaints posted on this site, the car has issues with its electrical system related to its Dashboard and specifically the right display showing the mileage, fuel gauge, outside temperature, etc. Intermittently (and possibly related to cold weather), the entire dashboard will either flicker with unintelligible information and/or go…
On March 11, 2025 I took my car to Gardena Honda for a fuel pump recall for my 2018 Honda HR-v ex. On September 17, 2025 I had a system malfunction where the doors were locking and unlocking the dashboard went black and a car symbol with doors opened appear on the dash, the car shut off and I tried to brake but they did not work, I hit a car in front of me and when the airbags did not deploy I…
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2018 Honda HR-V?
It's a meaningful issue. 44 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 19,000 and 59,000 miles, with the median around 33,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 19,000; a quarter make it past 59,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.