Used Car Checklists

2026 Honda HR-V: What to check before buying

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical. The 6 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.

Honda HR-V2026
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
0
Crashes reported
0
Reliability
Excellent
100/100 on Auto Reliability Index

Run the VIN before you go

A history report shows accidents, title brands, odometer readings, and open recalls for this 2026 Honda HR-V. Ask the seller for the VIN; it is also on the dash at the base of the windshield.

Your inspection sheet

Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.

0/6 checked

1

Paperwork and questions

Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2

2

Walk-around and cabin

Engine off, key in hand0/2

3

Test drive

At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2

These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.

Reported on neighboring HR-V years

Nearby years usually share most parts, so their problems are worth checking on this car too.

2025 HR-V

26 owner complaints
  • Steering 7
  • Brakes 2

Worth adding to your 2026 checks

  • Run the VIN through federal recall records and confirm steering recall 24V744000 has been completed.
  • Make slow, tight turns in a parking lot and feel for steering that binds, shakes, or resists.
  • Inspect the sunroof and rear window for cracks, replacement glass, or recent glass repair records.
Open the 2025 checklist

2024 HR-V

94 owner complaints
  • Steering 46
  • Electrical 7
  • Wipers and visibility 6

Worth adding to your 2026 checks

  • Check the VIN for steering recall 24V744000 and the seat belt recall, and get written proof both were completed.
  • Drive through curves and roundabouts, and turn fully while reversing; reject any wheel that sticks, notches, jerks, or pulls.
  • Pull each front seat belt sharply and slowly; confirm it extends, retracts, and releases without locking up.
Open the 2024 checklist

Which HR-V is it?

EPA figures for each version of the 2026 Honda HR-V. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.

VersionDriveEPA rating
2.0L 4-cylAWD, FWD27–28 mpg
  • Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A HR-V that averages well under the EPA 27 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.

Why these checks: what owners reported

NHTSA complaints for the 2026 Honda HR-V, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

  • Electrical2No crashes

    Hands-free Apple CarPlay functions stop working as intended while driving. Incoming text messages fail to display or play through the hands-free system, and Siri audio cuts in and out. One report puts the failure at about 200 miles, so it can show up almost right away. Dealers have found no cause and have not made repairs. Reports describe no crash or loss of control. The safety concern is distraction, since drivers end up picking up the phone to read or answer messages.

In owners' own words

Excerpts from complaints HR-V owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.

Electrical
The hands-free Apple CarPlay system is not working properly in 2026 Honda HR-V cars. Numerous posts from fellow owners on forums with the same issue. Using the phone with hands will certainly increase incident risk.

Filed with NHTSA, October 2025

How the 2026 compares with other HR-V years

Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.

The 2026 has the fewest owner complaints of the 9 HR-V years we cover, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2026 Average of other years
  • Electrical221

Also looking at these instead of a HR-V?

Cars shoppers compare with the Honda HR-V, with their own 2026 checklists.

2026 owner complaints, side by side