Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that after activating the "BRAKE Hold" system and removing the foot off the brake pedal, the BRAKE Hold system deactivated, causing the vehicle to move forward. During the failure, several messages were displayed, including "Brake Hold System Failure" and "Hill Descent" failures. The vehicle was parked, and the BRAKE Hold system was manually reset; however, the failure later reoccurred. The contact stated that on one occasion, the vehicle failed to immediately restart. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,931.
The contact owns a 2025 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that the accelerator pedal and brake pedal were extremely close, and the contact's foot became stuck between the pedals. The contact stated that the pedals were three inches apart. The contact lost the use of the brake and accelerator pedal. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 10.
The contact owns a 2024 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while the contact's daughter was driving at 42 mph with the cruise control engaged, the collision mitigation sensor independently activated. The contact's daughter noticed that the steering wheel had almost seized, and the vehicle's speed abruptly decreased. The vehicle stopped in the middle of the road. Another vehicle was making a turn and crashed into the contact's vehicle. In addition, the "Brake" message was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact mentioned that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The contact's daughter was taken to the local medical center. The contact's daughter sustained muscle pain in the back, neck, both shoulders, both jaws, and severe headaches. …
12/7/2025 at about 7:20pm and about 17518 miles: grandparent were driving home and brakes failed as grandpa was parking in the driveway. He said after applying the brakes the car keep rolling forward and hit the garage door then rolled backwards, brake did not stop backward movement for over a minute. No injuries. Inspection from insurance and collisions repair center found no cause for brake failure. 01/4/2026 at about 8:16pm and approximately 18122 miles: as my mom was approaching a main road with 55 mph traffic to turn left the brakes failed to bring the car to a complete stop at the intersection causing the car to roll into on coming traffic. She said when she applied the brakes they seem to engage at the start and slowed the vehicle a little bit but did not seem to apply "full braking" to actually stop the car. …
The contact owned a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH and decreasing in speed to exit the highway, a vehicle in front stopped abruptly. The contact depressed the brake pedal with force, however, the brake pedal was soft and traveled to the floorboard. The contact stated she turned the steering wheel in the left direction but was difficult to turn and crashed into a vehicle's driver's side rear bumper and quarter panel. The contact stated that she was able to stop and turn the vehicle off. The contact stated the passenger front side bumper, the grill, and part of the passenger side quarter panel had been crushed by the crash. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. No injuries were reported. …
The contact owns a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that all the warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle stalled upon starting. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the fuse was replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While depressing the start button, the look in the rear mirror was displayed. The vehicle failed to start. The brake pedal was kicking back. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the "brake" warning light had intermittently flashed on and off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the brake calipers were leaking fluid and the calipers were serviced. No further information was available. Later while pulling into a parking space and pressing the brake pedal, the pedal extended to the floor and the vehicle crashed into a metal fireman's latter. During the crash, the vehicle sustained severe front-end damage but no air bags deployed, the seat belt malfunctioned and did not secure the driver. The driver sustained a fractured lumbar spine vertebrae and was transported to the hospital. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failures were not determined. The local dealer was notified of the crash. …
The contact owned a 2022 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle slid on the road. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated it took a while to stop the vehicle completely. The contact stated on 2/14/2022 while driving 35 mph, she depressed the brake pedal but failed to stop the vehicle completely and rear-ended another vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries on her neck, left shoulder and right knee hit the side panel. The contact did seek medical attention with her chiropractor. A police report was filed. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. …
Related recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
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.
Remedy: 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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda HR-V years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (25), 2019 (19), 2018 (15), 2022 (14) and 2017 (13) model years. Brake complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Honda HR-V brake problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 18V-777 (caliper, Nov 1, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Honda HR-V brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 24,000 miles; 81% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the power assist › electric › solenoid/actuator (1 mentions), followed by the antilock › abs warning light (1).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.