2021 Honda HR-V problems
The 2021 Honda HR-V has 61 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2021 Honda HR-V has 61 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 19 complaints, typically surfacing around 36,000 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 HR-V | 151 | 0 |
| 2019 HR-V | 219 | 0 |
| 2020 HR-V | 80 | 0 |
| 2021 HR-V (this page) | 61 | 0 |
| 2022 HR-V | 81 | 2 |
| 2023 HR-V | 681 | 0 |
| 2024 HR-V | 107 | 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 8.0/10 — 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.
Buying a used 2021 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
- airbags — 19 owner reports · tends to show around 36,000 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- electrical — 13 owner reports · tends to show around 9,000 mi · ~$850 to fix
- powertrain — 5 owner reports · ~$2,500 to fix
- brakes — 3 owner reports · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 36,000 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: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — 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 2021 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 car accelerated unexpectedly, yes it is available for inspection, I have not taken to dealer. Car has not been inspected by any police dealer etc. No warning lights appeared. Yes car accelerated toward several on coming cars. I shifted gear from neutral with brake to drive…
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - According to the Honda technician metal particles came out when draining the transmission fluid How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Witha failing…
I have had several issues happen where the battery will drain quickly if the doors are open for 40 minutes. One time recently happened last week when I was trying to take my wife to the hospital for a back pain issue. I tried to get her into the vehicle but the pain was too…
The contact owns a 2021 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that the instrument cluster was inoperable on several occasions and displayed erroneous information on other occasions. The contact stated that the failure occurred on colder days, with temperatures between 30-40 degrees…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2021 Honda HR-V reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 61 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 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 2021 Honda HR-V?
On the NHTSA data, the 2021 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 8.0/10 — 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 2021 Honda HR-V?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 19 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 36,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 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 2021 Honda HR-V a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 61 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 36,000 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 2021 Honda HR-V?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 19 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 36,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 36,000 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 2021 Honda HR-V?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 61 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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.