Honda HR-V VIN Number Check

Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on a Honda HR-V VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 13 NHTSA recall campaigns for 2016–2026 cover that year.

VIN prefix3CZ

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Honda HR-V

About the Honda HR-V

Honda has sold the HR-V in the US since the 2016 model year, and there have been two generations. The Gen 1 came first (2016–2022), and the Gen 2 took over for 2023–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 13 vehicle recall campaigns and 1,844 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the Gen 1. Its 2016 and 2019 model years alone account for 474 of them, with owners bringing up electrical system most often and the powertrain after that. EPA rates the Gen 1 at 28–31 mpg combined, while the Gen 2 gets 27–28 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2016–2026

GenerationsGen 1 · Gen 2

NHTSA recall campaigns13

Owner complaints1,844 at NHTSA

Honda HR-V photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Honda HR-V generations

Two generations since the 2016 model year. The Gen 1 (2016–2022) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (9).

2 / 2

Gen 2

2023–20262nd generation

201620202025

2023–2026· Generation 2 of 2

Gen 2 · 2nd generation

EPA classSmall Station Wagons

EPA combined mpg27–28

NHTSA recalls5

Engines (EPA)

2.0 L 4-cyl · 2023–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, FWD
CVT (2023–2026)

Known issues to check

Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) (420)Steering (145)Electrical system (53)

Mentions in 855 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Gen 23CZRZ2H5?PM······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2023 Honda HR-V SPORT, built in Celaya, Gto

Check an HR-V VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which HR-V model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 13 campaigns on file for HR-V model years 2016–2026, and the 2019 shows up in more of them than any other year (7), ahead of the 2020 (5). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Honda HR-V owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2023 and 2016 hold 925 of the 1,844 complaints, or 50%. Tap any bar or generation.

1,844NHTSA complaints, 2016–2026

97mention a crash

7mention a fire

57injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearGen 2: 855 complaints · most for the 2023 (686)

Top complaint areas · Gen 2

Mentions in 855 complaints, 2023–2026.

Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)420

Steering145

Electrical system53

Structure and body40

Forward collision avoidance33

Lane departure24

Crashes 18Fires 2Injuries 15

2023–2026 (Gen 2)

NHTSA data summary

The 2023 is the outlier. On its own it has 686 of the ’s 855 complaints (80%), more than any other HR-V model year, and owners across the generation name visibility most often (420 mentions), then steering (145).

What HR-V owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2023–present (2nd generation)

The rear window is the standout issue on the 2023. Hundreds of NHTSA owners describe the rear glass suddenly shattering or exploding, often with the rear defroster on or in cold or stormy weather. CarComplaints has only a handful of reports, led for 2024 by a driver window that is misaligned, sticks and slams shut and sensors that brake hard at speed with nothing there. Recalls cover front seat belt pretensioners on 2023–2024 models that may be missing a rivet and a steering gearbox on 2023–2025 models that can make steering difficult. [1] [2]

2016–2022 (1st generation)

Complaints are moderate for this generation. On the 2016, NHTSA reports focus on the CVT, including limp mode and loss of power, along with brakes. CarComplaints ranks uncomfortable seats first for 2016, followed by defective paint and a complete loss of power from a failed transmission. A recall covers rear brake caliper pistons on 2018–2019 models whose coating may be insufficient, reducing braking performance. [3] [4]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the rear caliper recall on 2018–2019 models and the seat belt and steering gearbox recalls on 2023–2025 models.
On 2023 and later models, check the rear glass and ask whether it has been replaced.
On the drive, feel for CVT slipping or hesitation, check the steering effort and test the power windows.

Sources (4) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

HR-V complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every HR-V version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

1,844complaints, 2016–2026

97mention a crash

7mention a fire

57injuries reported

Most complaints: 2023 (686), 2016 (239), 2019 (235)

2023 · 686 complaints

Crashes 7 · fires 0 · injuries 4

Visibility/wiper319

Unknown or other214

Steering78

Visibility78

Structure33

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

HR-V CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 39 HR-V versions for model years 2016–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 289 g/mi (2018). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Gen 12016–2022

28–31 mpg · CO₂ 289–315 g/mi

Gen 22023–2026

27–28 mpg · CO₂ 309–328 g/mi

Model year2025

28combined MPG

311CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$2,400EPA yearly fuel cost

6/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

6/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: FWD · Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L — 28 MPG · 311 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

HR-V vs Hyundai Kona vs Kia Seltos

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2016–2022. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the HR-V, against 8 for the Hyundai Kona and 2 for the Kia Seltos. Pick a range to compare.

Honda HR-VGen 2

Model years 2023–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 5
NHTSA owner complaints: 855
EPA combined mpg: 27–28
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) 420
Steering 145
Electrical system 53

Hyundai Kona

Model years 2023–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 8
NHTSA owner complaints: 179
EPA combined mpg: 23–32
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.6, 2.0 L · Electric
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 4★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 85
Forward collision avoidance 32
Engine and cooling 24

Kia Seltos

Model years 2023–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 3
NHTSA owner complaints: 108
EPA combined mpg: 25–31
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.6, 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 34
Engine and cooling 31
Forward collision avoidance 14

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Honda HR-V VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on an HR-V

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Silver Honda HR-V (second generation) crossover, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The HR-V's VIN plate sits at the base of the driver's side windshield. A door jamb sticker and a B-pillar label between the front and rear doors are the secondary locations. No frame stamp exists due to unibody construction. The Gen 2 generation starts with the 2023 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (P for 2023) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Honda HR-V VIN questions

Which Honda HR-V model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2023 leads with 686, ahead of the 2016 (239) and 2019 (235). Those first two alone make up 50% of the 1,844 HR-V complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Honda HR-V had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 13 vehicle campaigns for model years 2016–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 1 leads with 9. Then come the Gen 2 (5), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which HR-V generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the Gen 1 is 2016–2022 and the Gen 2 2023–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (P is 2023).

What fuel economy does the Honda HR-V get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2023–2026 Gen 2 at 27–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 28–31 mpg for the 2016–2022 Gen 1 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Honda HR-V compare with the Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos on recalls?

For 2023–2026 models the HR-V has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Hyundai Kona has 8, the Kia Seltos 3. Complaints run 855, 179 and 108 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Honda HR-V have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 HR-V 5 stars overall. Both rated versions, FWD and AWD, get that score.

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About the Honda HR-V

Honda HR-V generations