At the shop, Honda visibility issues have a recognizable signature. 2,188 documented complaints across 125 year-model entries from 2005 to 2025 is consistent with what we see come in. 2023 Honda HR-V tops the list, but the pattern repeats across years. Multiple generations are affected. 34 injury reports on the record — not a category to wave off. Across the 968 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 38,670 miles. Repair cost runs around $350 on average — relatively low for an aggregated category. Wipers, washers, backup camera, defroster — exercise all of them on the test drive. None of these failures are emergencies but they add up.
ProblemsByVin HONDA / VISIBILITY
125 model-year entries · 2005–2025
Honda visibility problems
2,188 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Honda vehicles for visibility issues. 16 active recall campaigns. See visibility across all makes →
Complaints
2,188
Recalls
16
Year-models
125
Avg fix
$350
10crashes
4fires
34injuries
Worst-affected Honda model-years for visibility Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2023 Honda HR-V
333 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2006 Honda Civic
226 complaints · 1 recall · ~$350 moderate
2007 Honda Civic
200 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2008 Honda Civic
126 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2024 Honda CR-V
49 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2010 Honda Civic
49 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2016 Honda Civic
40 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2018 Honda CR-V
31 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2013 Honda Accord
31 complaints · ~$350 severe
2025 Honda CR-V
30 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2017 Honda CR-V
28 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2012 Honda CR-V
28 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2023 Honda CR-V
25 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2021 Honda Pilot
25 complaints · 1 recall · ~$350 moderate
2014 Honda CR-V
25 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2018 Honda Accord
24 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2009 Honda Civic
23 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2019 Honda CR-V
22 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2017 Honda Civic
21 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2006 Honda CR-V
20 complaints · 1 recall · ~$350 moderate
2016 Honda Accord
19 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2007 Honda CR-V
19 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2011 Honda Civic
17 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2009 Honda Fit
17 complaints · ~$350 severe
2019 Honda Pilot
16 complaints · ~$350 moderate
Active recalls — Honda visibility 7 on file
Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles
Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co
If the switch fails, it could overheat and smoke, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power window master switch and inspect the wiring harness for damage, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is P9D.
Honda is re-recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Fit vehicles covered under previous recall 10V-033
An overheated switch can cause smoke, melting and fire.
Fix: Honda will notify owners in July 2013 and will instruct owners to take their vehicles to dealers to have a free inspection conducted. If the switch is damaged, it will be replaced free of charge. If the switch is not damaged, the owner will be instructed to await a second notification that will instruct them to return to the dealer to have a replacement switch installed free of charge. Honda anticipates it will have sufficient parts inventory to notify owners of vehicles with undamaged switches to return to dealers for replacement switches in Fall 2013. Renotification was sent out to owners on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's recall number is JA6.
Honda is recalling certain model year 2011 Honda odyssey vehicles
The window may shatter into the passenger cabin causing a risk of injury to the vehicle occupants.
Fix: Dealers will replace either the passenger's and/or the driver's front door window glass, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 28, 2011. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Honda is recalling certain model year 2011 Honda odyssey vehicles
The windshield wipers may fail to operate, decreasing the driver's visibility in adverse weather conditions increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper rod free of charge. The safety recall began on april 28, 2011. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Honda is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 fit vehicles
An overheated switch can cause smoke, melting and fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the switch and install a cover around the switch housing to prevent water from entering the switch. If the switch is damaged, the switch will be replaced and a cover will be installed. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on during march 19, 2010. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
On certain 2-door passenger vehicles, the rear windshield or rear quarter glass panels do not properly adhere to the body of the car due to improper window opening preparation
The rear windshield or rear quarter glass panels may become loose, rattle or lift from the window opening or separate from the window while driving increasing the safety hazard to traffic.
Fix: Dealers will repair the vehicle by removing the glass, properly preparing the window opening, and reinstalling the glass. The recall began on august 25, 2006. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Common questions
How many Honda visibility complaints are on file with NHTSA?
2,188 complaints across 125 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. 16 active recall campaigns cover visibility issues across the Honda lineup.
Which Honda model has the most visibility complaints?
The 2023 Honda HR-V leads with 333 complaints in this category. Next: 2006 Civic (226) and 2007 Civic (200).
What does it cost to fix Honda visibility problems?
Independent shops average $350 for visibility repairs across the Honda lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Honda visibility recalls?
Yes — 7 active recall campaigns cover visibility on Honda vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Honda.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.