Driving at highway speed, the car lost power and would not drive over 40 MPH. I brought it to the dealer and was told the transmission had metal shaving in the fluid and the transmission would need to be replaced.
2018 Honda HR-V powertrain problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 13 powertrain complaints filed for the 2018 Honda HR-V, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2018 Honda HR-V has documented powertrain issues centered on CVT transmission failure between 55,000–112,000 miles, often without warning, coupled with engine and electrical problems after service. Owners report denial of warranty claims on or near expiration dates and costs exceeding $10,000 for transmission replacement with no manufacturer goodwill assistance.
The 2018 Honda HR-V powertrain complaints center on premature CVT transmission failure. Owners report sudden loss of power and acceleration while driving at highway speeds, with the vehicle forced into limp mode (20–40 mph) or complete immobility. Failures occur between 55,000 and 112,000 miles with no warning lights until the failure happens. Metal shavings appear in transmission fluid in multiple cases. Honda issued Service Bulletin 21-0467 extending CVT warranty to 7 years and 150,000 miles, and several vehicles received a software update—but it did not prevent failures. Owners denied warranty coverage cite falling just outside the coverage window or Honda's refusal to honor claims despite the known defect. Repair costs range from $8,873 to over $10,000, with Honda denying goodwill assistance.
Separate complaints describe engine knock requiring full replacement, throttle pedal malfunction, unexpected transmission shifting into neutral at highway speed, and jerk/stutter during acceleration transitions. One owner reports oscillatory CVT hunting behavior at low throttle on grades starting in 2019, with dealers unable to replicate the issue. Another describes spontaneous electrical system activation caused by a Body Control Module software fault at only 36,000 miles. A third experienced a burn odor in the cabin after engine service that persisted through multiple dealership repairs. The pattern across complaints is loss of owner trust and repeated failed repair attempts despite warranty coverage.
Same Honda HR-V powertrain reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
CVT Transmission Failure (Complete Loss of Power)
Complete CVT transmission failure resulting in sudden loss of acceleration and inability to move the vehicle. Multiple owners reported the transmission failing without prior warning or diagnostic codes visible until the failure occurred. Metal shavings found in transmission fluid in several cases.
When: Between 55,000 and 112,000 miles; one case at 96,993 miles, another at 68,314 miles, another at 95,861 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of acceleration; Vehicle unable to move under its own power; Loss of power while driving at highway speed; Dash lights flashing (check engine, parking brake, brake system lights); Vehicle forced into limp mode (limited to 20-40 mph); Metal shavings in transmission fluid
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (flashing)
Repairs/costs cited: Full CVT transmission replacement; costs cited include $8,873, $9,000, and over $10,000. One owner denied warranty coverage only 1 month outside the 7-year/150k-mile extended warranty window despite having visited dealership days before failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin 21-0467 extended CVT warranty to 7 years and 150,000 miles. Honda denied goodwill assistance claims in multiple cases, citing warranty expiration or service history issues. No recall issued for the transmission itself, though software update (TSB) was performed on at least one vehicle without resolving the issue.
CVT Transmission Hunting/Oscillation (Pulsating Behavior)
CVT transmission exhibits oscillatory increasing and decreasing speed behavior at low throttle on slight grades. Owner reported this issue repeatedly to dealers starting in 2019 (Case 09398275), but dealers could not replicate during test drives. Owner states this excessive sliding wear on transmission components will lead to premature failure.
When: Reported 3/5/19; condition has been constant with no specific failure point stated
Symptoms owners cite: Oscillatory increasing and decreasing speed at around 2,500 rpm under minimal load; Prominent on highway slight grades under steady throttle; Noticeable at low speed (15 mph) on steeper hills; Pulsating/hesitation sensation while accelerating; Uneven transmission response
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented. Dealers unable to replicate during short test drives around neighborhood.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: American Honda generated Case 09398275 in response to owner complaint but no resolution documented.
Engine Knock and Failure (New Engine Installation)
Engine experienced loud knocking noise upon startup, diagnosed as requiring complete engine replacement. Owner received new engine at dealership but quality of assembly and subsequent repairs resulted in multiple cascading issues.
When: 07/28/22 - loud knocking on startup; engine replaced by 09/22
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking noise upon engine startup; Engine not safe to drive
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement performed; assembly quality questionable given subsequent failures.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty covered new engine installation at Bill Page Honda in Falls Church, VA
Throttle Pedal Malfunction / Loss of Acceleration Control
Pedal not functioning properly for acceleration control. Owner had to pull over and vehicle would not move from parked state despite being in gear.
When: 09/20/22 - first occurrence after new engine installation and pickup in September 2022
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal not working to accelerate; Vehicle unable to move from parked state; Required towing back to dealership
Repairs/costs cited: Attempted repair by dealership on 10/02/22 and again by 11/30/22 but issue was not resolved
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle still under active warranty; dealership attempted multiple repairs without success
Transmission Shift Issues / Unexpected Neutral Engagement
Vehicle unexpectedly shifted into neutral while driving at highway speed without driver input. Related to parking brake sensor and pulley system replacement. After initial repair, metal shavings contaminated the replacement transmission.
When: First incident at 55,000 miles; second incident 4 months later at 65,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle bucked twice then shifted into neutral; Revving uncontrollably followed by shift into neutral; All dashboard lights stayed illuminated; Metal shavings found in transmission fluid after second incident
Repairs/costs cited: First repair: parking brake sensor and pulley system replaced. Second repair: metal shavings from first repair contaminated transmission; owner quoted 40% of replacement cost since out of warranty despite being only 2 years old at time of second failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda acknowledged this as a known issue; newer model HRVs received different transmission design. However, refused to cover repair costs when replacement transmission failed due to contamination from prior repair.
Electrical System Spontaneous Activation / Body Control Module Failure
Entire electrical system including dashboard, infotainment, and other electronic components power on and off spontaneously while vehicle is parked and untouched. Honda service identified root cause as Body Control Module with software fault.
When: Vehicle has only 36,000 miles; issue is intermittent and ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard lights power on and off without user interaction; Infotainment system spontaneous activation; All electronic components cycle on/off while parked; No warning prior to activation
Repairs/costs cited: Honda service replaced Body Control Module for $1,400. Owner paid out-of-pocket and received no rental car during 4-day repair period.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda service identified fault as software in Body Control Module unit. Honda customer service denied any recall for this VIN.
Engine Overheating
Engine overheating occurred after new engine installation, forcing owner to pull over and get car towed back to dealership.
When: 09/20/22 - shortly after picking up car with new engine in September 2022
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating while driving; Brake light illuminated; Vehicle unable to continue operation
Repairs/costs cited: Attempted repair by dealership; issue appears related to new engine assembly quality
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Under warranty; dealership worked on multiple related issues from new engine installation
Burn/Smoke Odor After Engine Service
Strong burn/smoke odor detected in vehicle after new engine installation and dealership service. Owner confirmed no smoking in vehicle. Dealership unable to resolve odor issue after multiple service visits.
When: 10/02/22 onward - detected after picking up car with new engine and related repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Burn/smoke/cigarette odor in cabin; Odor persisted through multiple repair attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Odor not resolved after multiple visits (10/02/22, 10/10/22, 11/30/22). Dealership claims resolved but owner reports odor still present.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership attempted to resolve but unsuccessful; owner no longer trusts vehicle or dealership
Transmission Jerk / Stutter / Hesitation on Acceleration
Vehicle jerks, stutters, and hesitates when transitioning from stationary to moving position. Also manifests as pulsating sensation during acceleration on grades.
When: 10/02/22 onward - after new engine service and repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Jerk/stutter/hesitation when transitioning from stopped to moving; Pulsating sensation during acceleration; Vehicle behavior unsafe and unpredictable
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership attempted repair but did not resolve issue as of 11/30/22; owner returned vehicle again on 10/10/22
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Under warranty; dealership unable to resolve despite multiple repair attempts
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
1. The dealership assembled a new engine and pulse control module. 2. 1st issue was the car wasn’t in safe condition to drive due to knocking noise. 2nd issue is that the pedal wasn’t working properly as had to pull over to the shoulder and then the car wouldn’t leave from a parked state, brake light was on, and engine overheating. 3rd issue got car back with a smoke/cigarette/burn odor and…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2018 Honda HR-V?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 13 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 80,643 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.