NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2023 Honda HR-V Safety Ratings
The 2023 Honda HR-V scores 89 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 3 recalls, and 680 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2023 Honda HR-V achieved a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in both frontal and side crash tests conducted by NHTSA. This strong performance in impact protection contributes to its overall NHTSA Safety Index of 89/100, positioning it in the Strong safety band. Standard crash-avoidance technology is a positive factor for the HR-V. However, three active recall campaigns are on record for the 2023 model year, a point prospective buyers should address.
The 2023 Honda HR-V holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 89/100 and an NHTSA overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars, sourced from NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 139 SUVs from 2023 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2023 Honda HR-V ranks 43 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 89 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 14% |
| Recalls on file | 3 |
| Owner complaints | 680 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 43 of 139 SUVs tested for 2023 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2023 Honda HR-V?
The 2023 Honda HR-V represents a meaningful step forward in measured safety performance compared to its immediate predecessor. The NHTSA Safety Index climbed 11 points, from 78/100 in the Average band for the 2022 model year to 89/100 in the Strong band for 2023. That gain is anchored by a crash-protection sub-score of 66 out of a possible 70 points, reflecting the clean 5-star NHTSA sweeps in frontal and side disciplines. The avoidance-tech sub-score is a perfect 10 out of 10, driven by forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control all being standard equipment on this year. The defect record sub-score of 12.5 out of 20 is the one area that tempers an otherwise strong profile, and it is directly tied to the three recall campaigns active on this model year, covering seat belt pretensioners, fuel pump delivery, and a steering issue. The 680 reported complaints, concentrated heavily in visibility and wiper systems, are worth monitoring as unverified allegations, particularly given that visibility-related reports alone account for nearly half the complaint volume. Taken together, this year scores well on crash protection but carries a real recall workload that distinguishes it from a clean-record alternative.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2023 Honda HR-V perform in crash tests?
The 2023 Honda HR-V achieved a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with the agency awarding perfect 5-star scores for both frontal and side crash protection. Its rollover resistance test yielded a 4-star rating, alongside a 14 percent rollover risk. The dynamic tip test concluded with "No Tip."
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 17138
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2023 Honda HR-V have any recalls?
Three recall campaigns cover this model year. One addresses front seat belt pretensioners that may be missing components. A second targets the fuel pump delivery system across a broad Honda lineup. A third involves a steering concern spanning multiple 2023-2025 Honda and Acura models. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the data provided, but buyers should verify remedy status by VIN.
STEERING24V744000
Risk: Difficulty steering can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2024. Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are SJS, MJU, QJT and VJV.
Reported 2024-10-03
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP23V858000
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Reported 2023-12-18
SEAT BELTS:FRONT23V782000
Risk: A seat belt pretensioner missing a rivet will not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt pretensioner assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are MG7 and NG5.
Reported 2023-11-21
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2023 Honda HR-V?
NHTSA has logged 680 unverified owner complaints for this model year. The most frequently alleged problem areas are Visibility and Wiper systems at 318 reports, followed by Unknown or Other at 213, Visibility alone at 78, and Steering at 76. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established defects.
680 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2023 Honda HR-V?
All three recall campaigns for the 2023 Honda HR-V, covering seat belts, fuel delivery, and steering, demand attention. Any shopper considering this model year should verify through NHTSA's VIN lookup tool that these critical safety issues have been addressed by an authorized dealer. An unresolved recall represents a continuing safety concern, not a mere point for negotiation.
- The Safety Index jumped 11 points year over year, from 78/100 for the 2022 HR-V to 89/100 for the 2023 model, the largest single-year gain traceable to the new generation's NHTSA crash-test performance.
- Three separate recall campaigns are open on this model year, targeting front seat belt pretensioners, fuel pump delivery, and a steering component shared across multiple 2023-2025 Honda and Acura vehicles.
- Visibility and wiper system complaints account for 318 of the 680 total unverified NHTSA reports filed against this model year, a concentration that is disproportionate compared to other complaint categories.
- Rollover protection is rated 4 out of 5 stars with a 14 percent rollover risk and a No Tip result in the dynamic test, the only NHTSA discipline where this model year falls short of a perfect score.
RANKINGSWhere the 2023 Honda HR-V places
The 2023 Honda HR-V qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2023 Honda HR-V safety questions
Was the 2023 Honda HR-V crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2023 Honda HR-V, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 89 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2023 Honda HR-V crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2023 Honda HR-V earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 14%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2023 Honda HR-V have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 3 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2023 Honda HR-V. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 Honda HR-V?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 680 owner complaints are on file for the 2023 Honda HR-V. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other HR-V years
Rivals in SUV (2023)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Tesla Model X Later Release | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y Later Release | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y Rwd Early Release | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y Rwd Later Release | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Buick Envision | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2023 Lexus Rz 450e | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 17138), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Honda HR-V 2023.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 43 of 139 in the SUV class for 2023.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.