HondaHR-V2020Overview/honda/hr-v/2020/base/

2020 Honda HR-V

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 HR-V.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S7)

The 2020 Honda HR-V is the model-year variant detailed in this overview, with service specs calling for 3.9 quarts of 0W-20 API engine oil and an Automatic (AV-S7) transmission, and EPA fuel-economy ratings of 26/31/28 mpg. In the 2016–2026 model-span data, this year records 79 owner complaints, five recalls, and the Electrical System as the top complaint area. That positions the 2020 HR-V below the 2023 peak of 681 complaints and above the 2026 low of 11, making it a comparatively calm data point in the model’s reliability record.

Model year202620242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy26/31/28 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 500 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 51R · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size215/55R17 94VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length171.3 in
Overall width69.7 in
Overall height63 in
Wheelbase102.8 in
Curb weight3071 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined26 / 31 / 28 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume100 cu ft
Cargo volume23 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the HR-V of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.4–10.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.40 sec — 2016 EX
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2019Sport 1.8L I-49.60 sec17.40 sec141 hpAWD
2019Touring 1.8L I-410.20 sec17.80 sec141 hpAWD
2016EX 1.8L I-48.40 sec16.50 sec141 hpFWD
2016EX 1.8L I-48.50 sec16.40 sec141 hpFWD
2016EX 1.8L I-48.50 sec16.50 sec141 hpFWD
2016EX-L Navi 1.8L I-48.60 sec16.80 sec141 hpFWD
2016EX-L Navi 1.8L I-49.30 sec17.40 sec141 hpAWD
2016EX-L Navi 1.8L I-49.50 sec17.40 sec141 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.9 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, Honda DPSF-II in the differential, Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidHonda HCF-2 CVT fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.7
Brake FluidDot 3
Differential Gear OilHonda DPSF-II
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.3 qt
Engine CoolantHonda Type 2 antifreeze/coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity5.6
Engine Oil0W-20 · API

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs11.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity0.87-0.98 lbs
Oil GroupPOE
Oil TypeND-14 POE Oil or equivalent.
Oil Capacity2.37-2.77 oz
Standard BCI Group Number51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 37.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 26.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque80.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .906; Rear: .315
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006
Maximum Rotor Runout.0016

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°15 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 57°18 ft. lbs

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2020 Honda HR‑V recorded 79 complaints, which is markedly lower than the peaks in 2016 (238), 2019 (219) and the sharp spike in 2023 (681), placing it near the low end of the complaint range for this generation. Recall activity for 2020 was five campaigns, higher than the surrounding years of 2018 (3) and 2021 (4) but below the 2019 high of seven recalls. Investigations remained steady at one, consistent with most years from 2018 through 2024. The complaint trend shows a decline from 2019’s elevated level to a low in 2020, followed by a modest rise in 2022 before the anomalous 2023 increase. Overall, the 2020 model year exhibits relatively few owner complaints despite a moderate number of recalls, suggesting that any recall‑related repairs would likely address the primary safety concerns. If those recalls have been completed, the 2020 HR‑V represents a comparatively low‑complaint option within this generation.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
98
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
79
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 79 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System13
Fuel System, Gasoline12
Power Train8
Fuel/Propulsion System8
Unknown Or Other5
Air Bags5
Engine3
Forward Collision Avoidance,Lane Departure2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V046000Back Over Prevention:Display FunctionReported 02/02/2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Fit and 2019-2022 HR-V vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the engine is started with a key, due to a design error in the audio… Remedy: Dealers will update the display audio unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 13, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at…

23V858000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 18/12/2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 98 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A21-0472025-02-20Power TrainService Bulletin - Due to the possibility of early deterioration of the Continuous…
A23110A2023-11-03Power TrainService News - Some customers have complained of fluid leaking from the rear differential…
A21-0472023-05-03Power TrainService Bulletin - Due to the possibility of early deterioration of the Continuous…
ATI&033120239062023-03-31SuspensionDealer Message Request for Visit: 2018-2022 Accord & HR-V Front Damper Noise (ACTION…
A22080B2022-08-25VisibilityServicenews article - If you are inspecting an HR-V and notice oil residue on the A/C…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific HR-V. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2020 HR-V take?

3.9 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2020 HR-V have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the HR-V get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 31 highway / 28 combined mpg.