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2021 Honda HR-V: common problems and reliability
An average HR-V year.
63 owner complaints, most about air bags. 4 recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 HR-V?The 2021 Honda HR-V has 63 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and electrical system. Owners most often flag electrical system gremlins: intermittent no-start conditions, dashboard warning lights "blinking like a christmas tree," power steering failures, and erroneous error codes across multiple model years (2016, 2019, 2021, 2022). often resolved by battery replacement or terminal cleaning.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Honda HR-V vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other HR-V years only. How we score it
Is 2021 a good year for the HR-V?
Across the 11 HR-V model years we track, complaint volume runs from 63 (2021) to 686 (2023). With 63 complaints, the 2021 HR-V sits below the model's median of 108.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2021 HR-V
back over prevention:display function
Campaign 23V046000Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Fit and 2019-2022 HR-V vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the engine is started with a key, due to a design error in the audio display power circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Campaign 24V064000Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
back over prevention:display function
Campaign 24V384000Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Fit and 2019-2022 HR-V vehicles that were previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 23V-046. The rearview camera image may not display when the engine is started with a key, due to a design error in the audio display power circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Campaign 26V332000Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
What owners say across generations
Mixed sentiment with a clear generational divide. Feedback on the latest generation (2023+) is generally positive, with owners praising its reliability, practicality, comfortable ride, and the proven K20Z5 naturally aspirated engine.
- RecurrentElectrical system gremlins
Intermittent no-start conditions, dashboard warning lights "blinking like a Christmas tree," power steering failures, and erroneous error codes across multiple model years (2016, 2019, 2021, 2022). Often resolved by battery replacement or terminal cleaning.
Owner insights cover all generations of the HR-V. See the full HR-V owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used HR-V listings typically run $18,528–$24,490.
Other HR-V model years
Compare every HR-V year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the HR-V against its rivals
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