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2016 Honda HR-V

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most HR-V years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Honda HR-V are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

117 reports with mileage · 122 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports1 fire reports11 injury reports

What owners actually said

239 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2021
Forward Collision Avoidance

Emergency Brake will not engage. Automatic emergency brake sensor needs replaced. Unable to set emergency brake.

NHTSA ODI #11442492

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2021
Tires

Tires were purchased from Discount Tires a few years back and on 6/08/2021 I went back to them due to a flat back passenger tire and they stated they are unable to patch and replaced the tire with a cost of $122. On Sunday October 31, 2021 I am driving on I-75 and the same tire explodes and takes out the wheel well and all the …

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Tires were purchased from Discount Tires a few years back and on 6/08/2021 I went back to them due to a flat back passenger tire and they stated they are unable to patch and replaced the tire with a cost of $122. On Sunday October 31, 2021 I am driving on I-75 and the same tire explodes and takes out the wheel well and all the trim around the tire and damages the bumper of my Honda. Tire in question is Kumho Solus 215/55 r17.

NHTSA ODI #11439367

79,000 miles · Oct 13, 2021
Power Train

The contact owns a 2016 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle was unable to accelerate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing transmission and transfer case replaced. The manufacturer was informed o…

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The contact owns a 2016 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle was unable to accelerate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing transmission and transfer case replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

NHTSA ODI #11436635

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2021
Exterior Lighting

I have a 2016 HR-V A large amount of water gets trapped inside the rear tail light which can short out the lights if not repaired. I noticed it after hearing water sloshing around every time I opened the rear trunk. This is a manufacturing defect and a definite safety issue for Honda. Problem has been an issue since at least 20…

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I have a 2016 HR-V A large amount of water gets trapped inside the rear tail light which can short out the lights if not repaired. I noticed it after hearing water sloshing around every time I opened the rear trunk. This is a manufacturing defect and a definite safety issue for Honda. Problem has been an issue since at least 2017 but nothing has been done. Others have reported this as well. Took it to Honda dealer who claimed no knowledge of any issues like this

NHTSA ODI #11435865

Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2021
Power Train

My car suddenly stopped going into gear. When the hood was opened by a mechanic, he found that the transmission plug was sitting on top of the transmission. Honda issued a Service Alert in September of 2019 that the cap for the fill plug was known to dislodge from the transmission for Honda Civic, Honda Fit and Honda HR-V. F…

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My car suddenly stopped going into gear. When the hood was opened by a mechanic, he found that the transmission plug was sitting on top of the transmission. Honda issued a Service Alert in September of 2019 that the cap for the fill plug was known to dislodge from the transmission for Honda Civic, Honda Fit and Honda HR-V. For my vehicle, the issue was known to affect HR-V models 2016-2018. This is on top of the recent recall notice I recently received concerning the CVT Transmission. I now need a new transmission as my car will not go into gear despite having the transmission flushed and refilled. Honda knew about the defect and warned no one of this issue other than their internal people. My car had roughly 85k miles on it at the time of the incident.

NHTSA ODI #11434338

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2021
Power Train

(August 2021, mileage less than 68000) I was experiencing some type of transmission squeaking/slipping and at the same time received a notice from Honda Motor to go to a dealer and perform a SW upgrade to fix the transmission issue that was Honda fully aware , I went to the dealer and performed a SW upgrade for my HR-V. Right a…

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(August 2021, mileage less than 68000) I was experiencing some type of transmission squeaking/slipping and at the same time received a notice from Honda Motor to go to a dealer and perform a SW upgrade to fix the transmission issue that was Honda fully aware , I went to the dealer and performed a SW upgrade for my HR-V. Right after the upgrade I notice that my transmission became much more rigid/stiff. I thought it will go away after some driving. After driving less than 300 miles the transmission belt broke while I was at a stop light waiting and the moment I start to move and press gas pedal, my transmission belt broke and I could not move, Immediate it came to my mind that it must have been for the Soft Ware upgrade. The car engine revs but not moving at all. I was stuck on the road. No warning lamp or nothing warned me before this situation happened. It was really a scaring moment. I took the car right to dealership and after inspection they told me that the transmission is gone and I need new transmission. They found metal shaving in the transmission.

NHTSA ODI #11432457

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2021
Power Train

7/10: On a highway, the car lost speed, and all warning lights on the dashboard started flashing. The car would not change gears, decided to place it to the side of the road and tow it to Westshore honda. The start button was replaced, and there was no charge due to a recall that covered the fees. No other urgent action required…

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7/10: On a highway, the car lost speed, and all warning lights on the dashboard started flashing. The car would not change gears, decided to place it to the side of the road and tow it to Westshore honda. The start button was replaced, and there was no charge due to a recall that covered the fees. No other urgent action required my attention, and I left.was About 15-20 minutes after leaving, while on a busy highway plus it was raining, the same issue happened. It was terrifying to lose the power speed. I drove home safely using offside roads and flashing emergency lights at less than 40 miles. On 7/13-14, I was able to book time at Lakeland's Regal Honda to have my car checked once again. No one called me back until the following day. Regal honda gave an estimate of over 7000. No explanation on what the issue was, just that my transmission needed to be replaced. My car is about 65000 miles and just passed the 5-year mark, so I do not have a warranty. The car is only used on the weekends and I have done all the service needed since I bought it, I've been the only owner. I expressed my shock that a car with this many miles is having issues with the transmission, the service provided said he was going to contact Honda corporate to see what they could do. They charge me $89. I then took my car to Joyce Automotive repair in Lakeland, their diagnostic found codes U0401-68 ECM FAILURE and U0402-68 TCM FAILURE. Unfortunately, they cannot program Honda computers and I have to bring the car back to the dealership. Cost $71 7/15 After extensive research online, (ie https://www.hrvforum.com/threads/transmission-problems.40399/) I discovered this is a popular issue for many honda customers, especially in 2016 owners. I am in fear of my safety and others that do not know or do not get support from honda. Now I have a parked car with no feasible and economical solution and it is frustrating Honda can get away with this. My ask, is for you to do a thorough investigation, Thanks

NHTSA ODI #11424899

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2021
Electrical System

Pressing the start button isn't automatically turning on or off the car. I have to keep pressing it in order for it to do either. I can't rely on the vehicle if the start button isn't doing what it should do. This has been happening consistently for about 2 months now. The consumer stated he wanted to rescind the complaint,…

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Pressing the start button isn't automatically turning on or off the car. I have to keep pressing it in order for it to do either. I can't rely on the vehicle if the start button isn't doing what it should do. This has been happening consistently for about 2 months now. The consumer stated he wanted to rescind the complaint, the vehicle is under warranty and will be taken into the dealer to be fixed.

NHTSA ODI #11421646

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2021
Engine

I have replaced my catalyst converter and my check engine light and parking brake light and the safety key light has turned on. The warranty on my vehicle was over the miles before they sent me the notice on the push start button key but I had issue with this before it had passed the warranty miles. The notice was sent to late…

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I have replaced my catalyst converter and my check engine light and parking brake light and the safety key light has turned on. The warranty on my vehicle was over the miles before they sent me the notice on the push start button key but I had issue with this before it had passed the warranty miles. The notice was sent to late after I went over. The other lights I had a auto parts hook up the machine and its indicating the engine control module (ECM) detects a catalytic converter problem, it might record DTC P0420, defined as “Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold.” I am so fed up with this and bought my Honda new and never had issues with it until I bought this Honda HRV model. I love my care but if it wasn't for this.

NHTSA ODI #11421510

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2021
Electrical System

The start button does not turn on or turn off the vehicle. Unable to rely on the vehicle. Service states to replace the FOB that did not alleviate the issue.

NHTSA ODI #11419095

Official recalls

2

18V777000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper

Nov 1, 2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.

15V472000 · Equipment:other:labels; Tires

Jul 28, 2015

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 HR-V vehicles manufactured January 12, 2015, to May 20, 2015. The affected vehicles may be missing the required tire placard indicating "Tire and Loading Information." These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the tire placard is missing the driver or owner may not know at what pressure to inflate the tires, resulting in over or under tire inflation which potentially increases the risk of a tire failure and crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle, and apply a new label, free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JT2, or JT4.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Equipment:other:labels

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 HR-V vehicles manufactured January 12, 2015, to May 20, 2015. The affected vehicles may be missing the required tire placard indicating "Tire and Loading Information." These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less."

Consequence: If the tire placard is missing the driver or owner may not know at what pressure to inflate the tires, resulting in over or under tire inflation which potentially increases the risk of a tire failure and crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle, and apply a new label, free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JT2, or JT4.

Tires

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 HR-V vehicles manufactured January 12, 2015, to May 20, 2015. The affected vehicles may be missing the required tire placard indicating "Tire and Loading Information." These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less."

Consequence: If the tire placard is missing the driver or owner may not know at what pressure to inflate the tires, resulting in over or under tire inflation which potentially increases the risk of a tire failure and crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle, and apply a new label, free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JT2, or JT4.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.