2022 Honda HR-V

Powertrain

Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2022 Honda HR-V have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 14 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “While driving, multiple warning lights suddenly illuminated and the vehicle immediately lost power and became undriveable with no prior warning signs. I had to pull over for safety and the vehicle was towed to the dealership. The dealership diagnosed CVT belt deterioration and advised the transmission requires replacement. This sudden loss of drivability created a safety hazard because the vehicle became disabled while on the road.” (NHTSA Complaint #11718037)

Electrical System,Unknown Or Other

Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2022 Honda HR-V include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 10 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “I am writing to formally report a recurring safety defect regarding the infotainment system in my 2022 Honda HR-V. For over a month, the system has remained completely non-functional (blank screen). Prior to this total failure, the unit exhibited intermittent power cycles since the date of purchase around February 2024. Upon inspection by an authorized Honda dealership, technicians confirmed that this is a known computer hardware issue frequent in this model year. Despite their admission that they “see this a lot,” there is currently no active recall to address the defect. Safety Implications This failure is not merely a convenience issue; it creates several significant safety hazards: • Loss of Driver Assistance: The rearview camera and LaneWatch camera are completely disabled, significantly increasing the risk of collisions during reversing or lane changes. • Distracted Driving: I am unable to use integrated navigation, forcing reliance on handheld devices for directions. • Emergency Communication: The internal USB ports have failed along with the unit, preventing phone charging. This leaves me at risk of having no communication during a roadside emergency or breakdown. Evidence I have documented video evidence of a certified Honda technician stating that this is a pervasive and “very common” issue with this vehicle’s architecture. I urge the association to investigate these systemic failures. A safety-critical component like the rearview camera should not be subject to such widespread hardware instability without a manufacturer-led remedy.” (NHTSA Complaint #11721187)

Speed Control

Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) defects — including malfunctioning forward collision warnings, lane keep assist failures, and erratic automatic emergency braking — can create dangerous driving conditions. The 2022 Honda HR-V has 8 NHTSA complaints for this defect type. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2022 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while his mother-in-law was driving 65 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently to over 100 MPH. Additionally, the contact’s mother-in-law depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The brake warning light was flashing. The contact’s mother-in-law started pumping the brake pedal and was able to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11537424)

Air Bags

Airbag defects are safety-critical and may trigger California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22. The 2022 Honda HR-V has 6 NHTSA complaints on record related to airbag warning lights, unexpected deployment, and sensor failures. Owner reports include: “I took my vehicle to a local Honda for an airbag light. Was told even though there is a recall on the 2022 HRV, my model is not included, but the exact issue I am experiencing with my vehicle is what is happened with the recalled 2022 HRV. I was told it would cost over $2000 to repair the air bag and since it has 60,000 miles it is no longer covered under the Honda warranty. Can this issue with the air bag be corrected or added to the recall for a free replacement/repair?” (NHTSA Complaint #11696878)

Electrical System

Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2022 Honda HR-V include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 6 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “After filling up the gas tank, the next morning when started the electric parking brake and check engine warning lights appeared with flashing red parking light on. Everything seemed to be working fine. The parking brake worked, and engine was fine. After internet research I narrowed it down to either a battery (3-years old), or a bad tank of gas, I checked the gas cap, ok. I hooked up my OBE engine monitor and it coded P2DE1, with its 5 potential issues. The internet has many complaints and issues about this dating back to 2016. People have replaced fuel injectors, O2 sensors, etc., costing a lot of money on unnecessary repairs. I replaced the battery, and all the dashboard lights went out. The OEM battery lasts about 3-years. Apparently, if the voltage drops below what is needed numerous warning lights come on. It is unsafe. Mandatory software upgrade for pcm U0155, or other safety recall to rectify?” (NHTSA Complaint #11638404)

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2022 Honda HR-V

The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2022 Honda HR-V by the NHTSA or Honda. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2022 Honda HR-V:

• 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
• 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
• 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Honda to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Honda must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

What You Can Recover

If your 2022 Honda HR-V qualifies as a lemon under California law, Honda may be legally required to:

• Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
• Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
• Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), Honda pays all legal fees if you prevail
• Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If Honda willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2022 Honda HR-V Claim

Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.

Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Honda a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Honda dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.

Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Honda pays your fees if you win.

Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Honda a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.

2022 Honda HR-V Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2022 Honda HR-V as a lemon?

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.

Does Honda pay my attorney fees?

Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Honda is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2022 Honda HR-V?

California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.