Service Bulletin - Due to the possibility of early deterioration of the Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) drive belt, American Honda is extending the warranty coverage on these CVT models to 7 years from the original date of purchase or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. If the PCM software was previously updated in service bulletin 21-046, Product Update: 2016-20 HR-V Software Update and CVT Inspection, the warranty extension applies, since the CVT primary drive belt is now a OBD-monitored part due to the addition of DTC P271E.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Honda HR-V engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Honda HR-V have filed 5 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 HR-V | 7 |
| 2018 HR-V (this page) | 5 |
| 2019 HR-V | 3 |
| 2020 HR-V | 5 |
| 2021 HR-V | 3 |
| 2022 HR-V | 3 |
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
"Service Bulletin - An incorrect value in the PCM may cause a pressure problem in the CVT under certain driving conditions, causing increased surface pressure on the belt leading to a partial or complete breakage as well as possible ring breakage. New PCM software will increase the overall durability of the CVT primary belt within the transmission. This is accomplished by revising operational loads placed on the belt under certain driving conditions. DTC P271E is added so at the early stages of a CVT primary belt failure, the D light will flash, the MIL will come on, and engine power output will be reduced. This will lessen the chances of an unexpected, sudden loss of acceleration and allow
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Service Bulletin - Due to the possibility of early deterioration of the Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) drive belt, American Honda is extending the warranty coverage on these CVT models to 7 years from the original date of purchase or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. If the PCM software was previously updated in service bulletin 21-046, Product Update: 2016-20 HR-V Software Update and CVT Inspection, the warranty extension applies, since the CVT primary drive belt is now a OBD-monitored part due to the addition of DTC P271E."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Owner Notification Letter - Honda is conducting a product update to your 2016-20 HR-V. The current continuously variable transmission (CVT) software does not properly monitor internal fluid pressure and detect early CVT belt failure. This can possibly cause the vehicle not to move when accelerating. Honda is providing a product update with new CVT software to fix this issue.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - An incorrect value in the PCM may cause a pressure problem in the CVT under certain driving conditions, causing increased surface pressure on the belt leading to a partial or complete breakage as well as possible ring breakage. New PCM software will increase the overall durability of the CVT primary belt within the transmission. This is accomplished by revising operational loads placed on the belt under certain driving conditions. DTC P271E is added so at the early stages of a CVT primary belt failure, the D light will flash, the MIL will come on, and engine power output will be reduced. This will lessen the chances of an unexpected, sudden loss of acceleration and allow t
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Engine suddenly lost power on highway 5 times in last 6 months and would not restart for approximately 12 hours. To lose power at 75 mph on a busy highway risks accidents and injury to driver, passengers, and potentially other drivers on the road. Tow truck drivers and passengers are witnesses to this happening. We have had it towed to the dealer each time and they cannot find any problem. No…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2018 Honda HR-V?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.