A speech recognition apparatus for a vehicle is provided for decreasing the feeling of discomfort of the operator even in the case that speech recognition is continuously impossible over several times. The speech recognition apparatus for a vehicle that recognizes voice input via an voice input device comprises a response output device for outputting a response to said voice input, a recognition possible or impossible determining device for determining whether said voice input can be recognized, and a response change executing device for operating when recognition is impossible for outputting a response having a different expression from said response output device depending on the number of times it has been determined that recognition is impossible by said recognition possible or impossible determining device.