A charming retro-styled city EV with rear-wheel drive and a compact 35.5 kWh battery. Honda built the e as a design statement rather than a range champion, and it was discontinued in 2024 after slow sales. The driving experience is genuinely fun thanks to the rear-drive layout and tight turning circle, but the limited range (around 130-180 km real-world) and now-declining dealer network make it a niche choice.
Fun rear-wheel drive handling
Solid electric motor reliability
Brake servo failure risk (costly)
Very limited real-world range
Buy if: You need a city-only commuter with short daily distances and appreciate the unique design and driving character.
Avoid if: You regularly drive more than 100 km per day or cannot accept the risk of an expensive brake servo repair outside warranty.
Expected Annual Maintenance Costs
Common Problems
Brake pressure sensor fails due to manufacturing contamination, causing loss of brake assist · more· less
The Honda e shares its brake-by-wire system with the Jazz Hybrid and CR-V Hybrid. Lubricating oil introduced during manufacturing can contaminate the brake pressure sensors inside the combined master cylinder, servo, and pedal feel simulator module. When this happens, the brake pedal becomes hard and unresponsive, requiring significantly more force to stop the car. Honda issued a product update in some European countries (Finland, Poland treated it as a recall with free repair), but in others only offered partial goodwill coverage. The complete master cylinder assembly costs around €2,000-3,500 including labor, and parts were back-ordered for extended periods. Early 2020 production cars are most commonly affected. A DIY sensor repair is possible with diagnostic equipment but requires disassembly of the brake module.
12V battery drains flat within days if car sits unused, especially below 90% high-voltage charge · more· less
The Honda e only charges its 12V battery from the high-voltage pack when the state of charge is below approximately 90% and the car is in ready mode. If the car is parked with the main battery above 90%, or if accessories are used without activating ready mode, the 12V battery drains quickly. Owners report flat 12V batteries after 5-10 days of non-use. The original battery often needs replacement within 2-3 years. A replacement 12V battery costs €100-200, and a CTEK trickle charger (recommended) costs another €50-80. Software updates have partially improved charging behavior but not fully resolved the issue.
Pop-out door handles fail to extend or retract due to mechanism wear or cold weather · more· less
The Honda e uses flush-fitting front door handles that pop out electrically. These mechanisms can fail to extend (locking you out) or fail to retract (handles stick out while driving). Cold weather and debris buildup accelerate the problem. Some owners have fixed this with cleaning and re-greasing the mechanism, while others needed full handle replacement at approximately €350 per side at a Honda dealer. The rear doors use conventional handles and are unaffected.
Twin-screen infotainment freezes, goes blank, or reboots randomly during use · more· less
The Honda e features two side-by-side 12.3-inch touchscreens that serve as the primary interface for almost all vehicle functions. Owners report screens going blank, freezing mid-use, or repeatedly rebooting. A soft reset (holding the power button for 10 seconds) temporarily fixes most occurrences, but persistent issues may require a full unit replacement. Software updates have addressed some stability problems, but the fundamental hardware can fail. A complete infotainment unit replacement at a Honda dealer costs €1,000-1,500. This issue is intermittent and not all cars are affected.
Side camera stalks are vulnerable to damage; replacement parts are expensive and Honda-specific · more· less
Instead of conventional side mirrors, the Honda e uses two camera stalks with interior display screens. While less likely to be knocked off than traditional mirrors, when damage does occur the replacement cost is significantly higher. Each camera unit costs approximately €400-600 for the part alone, plus the interior display screen if also damaged. These are Honda-specific components with no aftermarket alternatives. Parking damage or vandalism can result in a repair bill well above what a conventional mirror replacement would cost.
Some public chargers trigger errors or fail to communicate, occasionally causing control unit damage · more· less
Honda e owners reported frequent charging failures at certain public DC charging stations, sometimes triggering a persistent error requiring a dealer visit. A mid-2024 software update resolved most compatibility problems. Before this update, some owners experienced what was called the red light of doom when attempting to use certain fast chargers. In rare cases, using incompatible charging infrastructure reportedly caused charge control unit damage costing up to €1,000 to repair. Verify that the latest software update has been applied to any car you are considering.
Reliable drivetrain, but unique design creates unique failure points
The Honda e's electric motor and battery pack are generally reliable, consistent with Honda's engineering reputation. However, the brake servo issue shared with other 2020-era Honda hybrids is a serious and expensive concern. The car's distinctive design features — flush door handles, camera mirrors, dual touchscreens — each introduce failure modes not found on more conventional EVs. The 12V battery drain is manageable with a trickle charger but catches many owners off guard. Ensure the mid-2024 software update has been applied and budget for the brake servo as a potential expense.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Seatbelt occupancy sensor display error (Aug 2019 - Nov 2020 production)
Verify completed
Brake servo pressure sensor contamination (product update, varies by country)
Verify with dealer — treated as recall in some EU countries
Charge control unit software update (2024)
Verify latest software version applied
Contact a Honda dealer with the VIN to verify all recalls and product updates have been completed. The brake servo issue is particularly important — some countries treated it as a free recall repair while others offered only partial goodwill coverage.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (3 years / 100,000 km)
Expired on 2020-2022 models, may remain on late 2023 cars
High-voltage battery warranty (8 years / 160,000 km)
Active on all Honda e models until at least 2028
Rust perforation warranty (12 years)
Active on all models
Most used Honda e models are now outside their 3-year factory warranty. The high-voltage battery retains its 8-year / 160,000 km warranty with 70% capacity guarantee. Note that the brake servo issue may not be covered under standard warranty in all countries — verify with your local Honda dealer.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.