Is the 2018 Honda HR-V reliable?

The 2018 Honda HR-V has 194 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Honda HR-V?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (45 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (40 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (21 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Honda HR-V?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Contact any Honda dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Honda HR-V?

The 2018 Honda HR-V gets 29 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1655. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Honda HR-V?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Honda HR-V is approximately $1,495/year (wagon class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Honda HR-V

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Honda HR-V has 194 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 167. The most common issue is electrical problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: got the car on october 2017, drove it off the lot brand new is a 2018 car driving to my house the lights on my dashboard lights up breaks, motor, oil, air on tires, all of them light up like a christmas tree, i took to the honda dealer and the assistant manager reset the car because the service depa. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

11 crash reports 4 injuries

194

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

45 complaints

23%

• GOT THE CAR ON OCTOBER 2017, DROVE IT OFF THE LOT BRAND NEW IS A 2018 CAR DRIVING TO MY HOUSE THE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP BREAKS, MOTOR, OIL, AIR ON TIRES, ALL OF THEM LIGHT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE, I TOOK TO THE HONDA DEALER AND THE ASSISTANT MANAGER RESET THE CAR BECAUSE THE SERVICE DEPA
• I HAD THE CAR FOR 9 MONTHS NOW, ONLY HAD 20000 MILES ON IT, WHENEVER I MAKE SHORT TRIPS LIKE 3 MILES, THEN TURN OFF THE ENGINE, REST FOR LIKE 6 MINS OR LESS, THEN TRY TO START THE CAR AGAIN; IT WILL NOT GO THROUGH.. I WENT TO AUTOZONE TO TEST THE BATTERY, AND THEY SAID THAT ITS WORKING FINE. THE BAT
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA HR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WINDOW KEPT GOING UP AND DOWN, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) FAILED, THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED, AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“GOT THE CAR ON OCTOBER 2017, DROVE IT OFF THE LOT BRAND NEW IS A 2018 CAR DRIVING TO MY HOUSE THE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP BREAKS, MOTOR, OIL, AIR ON TIRES, ALL OF THEM LIGHT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE, I TOOK TO THE HONDA DEALER AND THE ASSISTANT MANAGER RESET THE CAR BECAUSE THE SERVICE DEPA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Honda HR-V

Based on 59 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 17K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 36K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 11K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Later than typicalmedian 96K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER01/11/2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Risk: A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Honda HR-V

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,656

Per month

$138

Per mile

13.8¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,549/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Honda HR-V

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,495

Full coverage / month

$125

Liability only / year

$571

vs US avg

-11%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (wagon)0.95x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1495

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Honda HR-V Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Maintenance Minder shows exact intervals based on your driving. CVT-equipped models (Civic, HR-V, Accord Hybrid) need CVT fluid service, not conventional ATF.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Honda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Honda. If you're buying a used 2018 HR-V, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Honda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 194 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: GOT THE CAR ON OCTOBER 2017, DROVE IT OFF THE LOT BRAND NEW IS A 2018 CAR DRIVING TO MY HOUSE THE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP BREAKS, MOTOR, OIL, AIR ON TIRES, ALL OF THEM LIGHT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE, I TOOK TO THE HONDA DEALER AND THE ASSISTANT MANAGER RESET THE CAR BECAUSE THE SERVICE DEPA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: GOT THE CAR ON OCTOBER 2017, DROVE IT OFF THE LOT BRAND NEW IS A 2018 CAR DRIVING TO MY HOUSE THE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP BREAKS, MOTOR, OIL, AIR ON TIRES, ALL OF THEM LIGHT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE, I TOOK TO THE HONDA DEALER AND THE ASSISTANT MANAGER RESET THE CAR BECAUSE THE SERVICE DEPA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: INFESTATION OF YELLOW SAC SPIDERS FOUND IN AIR CONDITIONING DUCTS. SPIDERS ENTER DUCTS THROUGH TINY CREVICES IN CORNERS BETWEEN FRONT WINDOW AND DASHBOARD. SPIDERS WERE SEEN ENTERING AND EXITING CREVICES WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA HR-V. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH FORCE, BUT THE RPMS CONTINUED TO INCREASE. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Honda dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)