Unacceptable Safety Failure – Honda and Autopark Honda Must Take Responsibility
I am absolutely appalled and furious with both Honda and Autopark Honda for their complete disregard for customer safety and accountability. While driving my Honda HR-V under normal conditions around noon on a Saturday on NC Highway 54, my vehicle suddenly illuminated multiple dashboard lights and began to decelerate—despite me pressing the accelerator. Within seconds, the steering became nearly impossible, the brakes failed to respond, and even the hazard lights would not activate due to an apparent electrical malfunction. I was left helpless in moving traffic, with my life and the lives of others in danger.
There were no prior warning signs whatsoever. My car had been serviced at Autopark Honda Service Center on September 19, 2025, including a transmission service. Nothing abnormal—such as debris or metal fragments—was noted or communicated to me. After the terrifying incident, I had my vehicle towed back to Autopark Honda, where I was informed that the transmission had completely failed.
Upon doing my own research, I discovered Honda Service Bulletin #21-047 (April 27, 2021), which documents premature CVT belt deterioration in 2016–2020 HR-V models—a known and serious issue. Yet despite this documented defect, Honda has refused to take responsibility, citing that my vehicle is only about 10 months beyond the 7-year warranty extension.
This is absolutely unacceptable. A critical transmission failure that causes total loss of power, steering, braking, and hazard lights is not a routine maintenance issue—it is a serious safety hazard that could have resulted in a fatal accident. For Honda to deny responsibility over a matter of months, despite a clear pattern of mechanical defect acknowledged in their own service bulletin, is shameful and negligent.
I will be posting a picture of my original review from seven years ago, written when I purchased this vehicle, as a reminder of how much trust and confidence I once had in Honda and Autopark Honda. That trust is now completely gone.
Consumers deserve better. I strongly urge anyone considering purchasing a Honda—especially from Autopark Honda—to think twice. Safety should never expire with a warranty.
Update from Nov 13, 2025 Unacceptable Safety Failure – Honda and Autopark Honda Must Take Responsibility
I am absolutely appalled and furious with both Honda and Autopark Honda for their complete disregard for customer safety and accountability. While driving my Honda HR-V under normal conditions around noon on a Saturday on NC Highway 54, my vehicle suddenly illuminated multiple dashboard lights and began to decelerate—despite me pressing the accelerator. Within seconds, the steering became nearly impossible, the brakes failed to respond, and even the hazard lights would not activate due to an apparent electrical malfunction. I was left helpless in moving traffic, with my life and the lives of others in danger.
There were no prior warning signs whatsoever. My car had been serviced at Autopark Honda Service Center on September 19, 2025, including a transmission service. Nothing abnormal—such as debris or metal fragments—was noted or communicated to me. After the terrifying incident, I had my vehicle towed back to Autopark Honda, where I was informed that the transmission had completely failed.
Upon doing my own research, I discovered Honda Service Bulletin #21-047 (April 27, 2021), which documents premature CVT belt deterioration in 2016–2020 HR-V models—a known and serious issue. Yet despite this documented defect, Honda has refused to take responsibility, citing that my vehicle is only about 10 months beyond the 7-year warranty extension.
This is absolutely unacceptable. A critical transmission failure that causes total loss of power, steering, braking, and hazard lights is not a routine maintenance issue—it is a serious safety hazard that could have resulted in a fatal accident. For Honda to deny responsibility over a matter of months, despite a clear pattern of mechanical defect acknowledged in their own service bulletin, is shameful and negligent.
Consumers deserve better. I strongly urge anyone considering purchasing a Honda—especially from Autopark Honda—to think twice. Safety should never expire with a warranty.
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Unacceptable Safety Failure – Honda and Autopark Honda Must Take Responsibility
I am absolutely appalled and furious with both Honda and Autopark Honda for their complete disregard for customer safety and accountability. While driving my Honda HR-V under normal conditions around noon on a Saturday on NC Highway 54, my vehicle suddenly illuminated multiple dashboard lights and began to decelerate—despite me pressing the accelerator. Within seconds, the steering became nearly impossible, the brakes failed to respond, and even the hazard lights would not activate due to an apparent electrical malfunction. I was left helpless in moving traffic, with my life and the lives of others in danger.
There were no prior warning signs whatsoever. My car had been serviced at Autopark Honda Service Center on September 19, 2025, including a transmission service. Nothing abnormal—such as debris or metal fragments—was noted or communicated to me. After the terrifying incident, I had my vehicle towed back to Autopark Honda, where I was informed that the transmission had completely failed.
Upon doing my own research, I discovered Honda Service Bulletin #21-047 (April 27, 2021), which documents premature CVT belt deterioration in 2016–2020 HR-V models—a known and serious issue. Yet despite this documented defect, Honda has refused to take responsibility, citing that my vehicle is only about 10 months beyond the 7-year warranty extension.
This is absolutely unacceptable. A critical transmission failure that causes total loss of power, steering, braking, and hazard lights is not a routine maintenance issue—it is a serious safety hazard that could have resulted in a fatal accident. For Honda to deny responsibility over a matter of months, despite a clear pattern of mechanical defect acknowledged in their own service bulletin, is shameful and negligent.
I will be posting a picture of my original review from seven years ago, written when I purchased this vehicle, as a reminder of how much trust and confidence I once had in Honda and Autopark Honda. That trust is now completely gone.
Consumers deserve better. I strongly urge anyone considering purchasing a Honda—especially from Autopark Honda—to think twice. Safety should never expire with a warranty.
Update from Nov 13, 2025 Unacceptable Safety Failure – Honda and Autopark Honda Must Take Responsibility
I am absolutely appalled and furious with both Honda and Autopark Honda for their complete disregard for customer safety and accountability. While driving my Honda HR-V under normal conditions around noon on a Saturday on NC Highway 54, my vehicle suddenly illuminated multiple dashboard lights and began to decelerate—despite me pressing the accelerator. Within seconds, the steering became nearly impossible, the brakes failed to respond, and even the hazard lights would not activate due to an apparent electrical malfunction. I was left helpless in moving traffic, with my life and the lives of others in danger.
There were no prior warning signs whatsoever. My car had been serviced at Autopark Honda Service Center on September 19, 2025, including a transmission service. Nothing abnormal—such as debris or metal fragments—was noted or communicated to me. After the terrifying incident, I had my vehicle towed back to Autopark Honda, where I was informed that the transmission had completely failed.
Upon doing my own research, I discovered Honda Service Bulletin #21-047 (April 27, 2021), which documents premature CVT belt deterioration in 2016–2020 HR-V models—a known and serious issue. Yet despite this documented defect, Honda has refused to take responsibility, citing that my vehicle is only about 10 months beyond the 7-year warranty extension.
This is absolutely unacceptable. A critical transmission failure that causes total loss of power, steering, braking, and hazard lights is not a routine maintenance issue—it is a serious safety hazard that could have resulted in a fatal accident. For Honda to deny responsibility over a matter of months, despite a clear pattern of mechanical defect acknowledged in their own service bulletin, is shameful and negligent.
Consumers deserve better. I strongly urge anyone considering purchasing a Honda—especially from Autopark Honda—to think twice. Safety should never expire with a warranty.
- Linels H., Chapel Hill, NC, US