Honda HR-V common problems: what to check before you buy
Credov's researched list of the 12 faults the Honda HR-V is known for (2013–2020), 9 of them serious or costly. Each one says what to look for when you check the car, so you can spot it before you buy. Not every car has these faults: they are the ones worth checking on this model.
Known problems on the Honda HR-V
Fuel pump fault and stalling
Safety risk
2013–2023 · Engine
What to look for: Ask for the fuel pump recall paperwork, and listen for a long crank when restarting hot after ten minutes.
Why it matters: Honda's fuel pump recall spans model years 2013 to 2023 across most of the models NZ dealers stock, though each model has its own band, and the failure mode is an engine stall while driving. A Japanese import in this range is very unlikely to have had a NZ owner letter, so the campaign status is worth confirming before the car goes on your yard.
What to look for: Feel for the car gaining speed by itself when the engine starts in EV mode, or lunging away from a stop.
Why it matters: Honda Japan filed this one after both market reports and a direct instruction from the Ministry, and recorded property damage: 5 incidents on the first failure mode and 6 on the second. The remedy is an engine-control reflash. On an import there is no local letter chain, so nothing tells the buyer whether it was ever done.
What to look for: Ask if it has ever cut out while driving, and watch the dash for blanking with all the electrics on.
Why it matters: The Japanese campaign records 78 cases where noise from the car's own electrical accessories made the power-control unit misbehave, so the relay feeding the engine control computer dropped out, the instrument panel went dark and the engine stopped while the car was moving. The remedy is a noise filter added to the supply circuit. The same notification also covers ignition-coil breakdown with 571 recorded cases.
What to look for: Look and smell at the back of the engine bay for scorched or melted plastic, and check idle-stop restarts every time.
Why it matters: This is one of the few Japanese Honda campaigns filed with fires already recorded: the notification lists two fires. The converter's internal device is not adequately protected against the overcurrent seen on restart, and once it is damaged the resin around it can carbonise and keep conducting, giving smoke, heat and at worst a fire. The remedy is replacement of the converter, not a reflash.
What to look for: Check every rear belt stops dead when yanked out sharply, then pays out and rewinds smoothly.
Why it matters: The notification describes a spring in the retractor lock mechanism fitted bent because an assembly machine was out of adjustment; it fouls other parts and the belt does not lock when pulled out quickly. Honda Japan's remedy was to check the belt serial numbers and replace matching belts. A rear belt that will not lock is also a warrant of fitness failure in New Zealand.
What to look for: On the drive listen for a rising whine or rattle from the gearbox and feel for slipping or a sudden jolt.
Why it matters: A belt that fails on the road means a sudden, unannounced loss of drive, and the only fix is a replacement CVT - one of the most expensive single repairs this car can need.
Typical repair: NZ$4,000–NZ$9,000 in New Zealand · A$4,120–A$9,270 in Australia
What to look for: Listen for an uneven idle from cold, and feel for a stumble or hesitation when you press the accelerator hard.
Why it matters: The noise-suppression resistor inside the coil can go open circuit from arcing. Honda Japan says the car can run rough with the engine lamp lit and, at worst, the engine can stop - either because the coil output collapses or because ignition noise stops the engine computer controlling properly.
What to look for: Check both mirrors fold and adjust properly eight times over, and ask if one has ever folded while driving.
Why it matters: The notification records 122 cases. Poor plating on the moving contact inside the mirror switch generates wear debris; the debris builds up, oxidises, contact resistance rises and the mirror can fold in while the car is moving or standing. A mirror that folds itself at speed takes away the driver's rear view without warning.
What to look for: Start the engine from fully cold and watch for shaking or a lumpy idle in the first two minutes.
Why it matters: The fix is walnut or dry-ice blasting of the intake valves, often with new injectors - a specialist job, and the problem returns over time if it is not addressed, so it is worth pricing in even on a car that currently idles fine.
Typical repair: NZ$900–NZ$2,500 in New Zealand · A$930–A$2,580 in Australia
What to look for: On a white car, look along the roof, bonnet, pillars and door edges for flakes, lifted edges or bubbles.
Why it matters: Once the paint has started delaminating it spreads, and a full respray to fix it properly is a significant cost that is worth factoring into any offer on a white car of this generation.
Typical repair: NZ$800–NZ$6,000 in New Zealand · A$820–A$6,180 in Australia
What to look for: Look along the top edge of both headlights for lifting or bubbled chrome trim and for a cloudy, peeling lens coating.
Why it matters: The trim and lens coating only get worse once they start, and a dealer part-and-labour replacement or a lens respray both add cost on a car bought cheap for its age - useful as a price negotiation point.
Typical repair: NZ$120–NZ$400 in New Zealand · A$120–A$410 in Australia
What to look for: Look in the driver's door frame near the latch for small numbered recall stickers, and photograph each one.
Why it matters: Every Japanese recall schedule in this overlay ends with the same line: completed vehicles get a sticker bearing the campaign number near the driver's-side door striker. Nothing in a New Zealand recall lookup covers Japanese campaign numbers, so for an import this sticker cluster is often the only outstanding-work evidence physically on the car.
Got a question about a Honda HR-V? Ask Credov: a noise, a warning light, a part or how to fix it.
Also check on every car
On top of the faults above, every Credov inspection covers the basics: fuel smell, leaks or filler rust, engine oil leaks, power steering fluid leak, drive belt cracks or squeal, rust underneath: chassis and mounts, engine mounts, engine oil level and colour, coolant level, colour and leaks, head gasket failure signs, cold start: rattle, knock or smoke, rough or hunting idle, engine running hot on gauge, gearbox or diff oil leak, swapped gearbox without lvv and more.
Researched by Credov from manufacturer recalls and service bulletins, owner reports and workshop sources. Repair prices are typical ranges, not quotes. See also fault codes and repair costs.