2017 Honda Hr-V Safety Report

2017 Honda HR-V: Strong crash ratings, but significant CVT transmission failures and paint defects raise reliability concerns.

112Complaints
0Recalls
★★★★★Safety Rating
55/100Reliability Score
7Injuries
Most reported components: Power Train (16)Electrical System (16)Unknown Or Other (14)Structure (9)Vehicle Speed Control (5)Service Brakes (4)Electrical System,Engine (3)Steering (3)Air Bags (3)Engine (2)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Honda Hr-V

The 2017 Honda HR-V presents a mixed safety picture. While it achieved strong crash test ratings from NHTSA, including a 5-star Overall rating, 5-star Side rating, and 4-star Frontal and Rollover ratings, its complaint data reveals significant reliability concerns, particularly with the powertrain. With 112 total complaints, the most prominent issue is related to the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which accounts for a substantial portion of the 16 'POWER TRAIN' complaints. Multiple reports detail premature belt deterioration, sudden loss of motive power, and complete transmission failure, often at mileages between 30,000 and 120,000 miles. This issue is severe, leading to vehicles entering 'limp mode' or becoming inoperable, posing a significant safety risk, especially at highway speeds. There are 7 reported injuries associated with these complaints, though no crashes or fatalities. Beyond the powertrain, other notable complaint patterns include 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM' (16 complaints) issues, such as flickering lights, malfunctioning fuel gauges/odometers, and Body Control Module (BCM) failures often linked to water intrusion. 'STRUCTURE' complaints (9 total) frequently describe severe paint peeling, specifically on White Orchid Pearl (NH-788P) vehicles, and water leaks into the cabin, which can lead to electrical damage and mold. The absence of any recalls for the 2017 HR-V is concerning, especially given the documented widespread nature of the CVT and paint issues, some of which Honda has addressed with TSBs or extended warranties that owners report are difficult to utilize. In summary, while the 2017 HR-V performs well in controlled crash tests, its real-world reliability, particularly concerning the CVT, raises significant safety and operational concerns. The high number of powertrain complaints, coupled with electrical and structural issues, suggests potential long-term ownership challenges and unexpected breakdowns. The lack of official recalls for these prevalent issues means owners often bear the burden of costly repairs.

Reliability Score

The 2017 Honda Hr-V receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2017 Honda Hr-V

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Honda Hr-V:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Cvt Transmission Failure
Premature belt deterioration leading to sudden loss of motive power, limp mode, grinding noises, and complete transmission failure, often without warning. Multiple complaints reference TSB 21-047.		 High Common 30000-120000 miles
Paint Peeling/Flaking
Significant paint peeling and flaking, particularly on White Orchid Pearl (NH-788P) vehicles, affecting the roof, hood, and upper panels. Honda Service Bulletin 19-064 addresses this.		 Medium Common 50000-100000 miles
Water Intrusion/Leaks
Water leaking into the front passenger footwell, through dome lights, or into the hatchback/tail lights, potentially causing mold, electrical damage, and Body Control Module (BCM) failure.		 Medium Occasional all miles
Electrical System Malfunctions
Issues with flickering brake lights, intermittent fuel gauge/odometer display (going blank), and Body Control Module (BCM) failures, sometimes linked to water leaks.		 Medium Occasional all miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Honda Hr-V:

Power Train 14% of complaints

Predominantly CVT transmission failures, including belt deterioration, loss of power, and inability to shift gears.

Electrical System 14% of complaints

Malfunctioning gauges (fuel/odometer), flickering lights, and Body Control Module issues, sometimes due to water intrusion.

Structure 8% of complaints

Paint peeling (especially White Orchid Pearl) and water leaks into the cabin and tail lights.

Unknown Or Other 12% of complaints

A variety of miscellaneous issues not fitting specific categories, but some likely related to underlying electrical or structural problems.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Honda Hr-V

Is the 2017 Honda HR-V safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 Honda HR-V received excellent crash test ratings, including a 5-star Overall rating. However, its safety record is significantly impacted by 112 owner complaints, with a notable pattern of severe CVT transmission failures that can lead to sudden loss of motive power, posing a safety risk on the road. There are 7 reported injuries associated with these complaints.

What are common problems with the 2017 Honda HR-V?

The most reported issues for the 2017 Honda HR-V are related to the POWER TRAIN (16 complaints), primarily concerning premature CVT transmission failure. Other common problems include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM malfunctions (16 complaints) like flickering lights and faulty gauges, and STRUCTURE issues (9 complaints) such as paint peeling and water leaks into the cabin.

Has the 2017 Honda HR-V been recalled?

According to NHTSA data, the 2017 Honda HR-V has 0 official recalls. This is notable given the prevalence of severe issues like CVT transmission failures and paint defects reported by owners, some of which Honda has addressed via Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) rather than recalls.

How does the 2017 Honda HR-V perform in crash tests?

The 2017 Honda HR-V performed very well in NHTSA crash tests, earning a 5-star Overall Safety Rating. It received 4 stars for Frontal Crash, 5 stars for Side Crash, and 4 stars for Rollover safety.

Are there issues with the transmission in the 2017 Honda HR-V?

Yes, there are significant and common issues with the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) in the 2017 Honda HR-V. Multiple complaints describe premature belt deterioration, sudden loss of power, grinding noises, and complete transmission failure, often occurring between 30,000 and 120,000 miles. This is the most frequently cited severe problem under the POWER TRAIN component category.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: While the 2017 Honda HR-V has strong crash test ratings, be aware of widespread CVT transmission failures and paint defects; a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the powertrain and body condition is highly recommended.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Honda Hr-V

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Honda Hr-V. The data includes 112 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 7 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2017 Honda Hr-V an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.