2016 Honda HR-V problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 318 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median HR-V year — the 2016 model ranks #3 of 11 HR-V years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 18 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (73), electrical system (58), and other (44), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

318

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other HR-V years?

HR-V NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all HR-V years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Honda HR-V problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Transmission	73	23%	new
Electrical System	58	18%	new
Other	44	14%	new
Brakes	26	8%	new
Engine	22	7%	new
Body & Structure	22	7%	new
Speed Control	14	4%	new
Airbags	13	4%	new
Lighting	10	3%	new
Seats	8	3%	new
Tires & Wheels	7	2%	new
Suspension	6	2%	new
Visibility & Wipers	4	1%	new
Steering	3	1%	new
Fuel System	3	1%	new
Driver Assistance	3	1%	new
Seat Belts	2	1%	new

Does the 2016 Honda HR-V have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V777000BrakesNovember 1, 2018 · 64,785 units

Defect

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

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.

15V472000OtherJuly 28, 2015 · 11,511 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY DASH LIGHTS ALL LIT AND MY CAR STOPPED WORKING. I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND A PLUG HAD BEEN BLOWN OFF MY TRANSMISSION AND SPILLED FLUID ALL ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. GOT A TOW TO THE CLOSER HONDA DEALER AND THEY SAID MY TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED WITH BITS OF…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 8, 2021

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY DASH LIGHTS ALL LIT AND MY CAR STOPPED WORKING. I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND A PLUG HAD BEEN BLOWN OFF MY TRANSMISSION AND SPILLED FLUID ALL ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. GOT A TOW TO THE CLOSER HONDA DEALER AND THEY SAID MY TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED WITH BITS OF…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 8, 2021

“FOR SPEEDS OVER 60 MPH, CAR VIOLENTLY VIBRATED. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY, SAME THING HAPPENED AT SAME SPEED, SO I CALLED AND DEMANDED THEY PICK UP MY CAR AND BRING ME A RENTAL. LEARNED THE PROPELLER SHAFT HAD ONLY ONE BOLT HALF WAY…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 29, 2016

“DECEMBER 27, 2019 MY DAUGHTER CAITLYNN WAS DRIVING HER 2016 HRV LX ON IRA HICKS BLVD NEAR 341 EAST IN FT VALLEY GEORGIA. A SEMI-TRUCK PULLING A LOWBOY TRAILER WAS STOP AT A RAIL SPUR CROSSING WITH THE RAIL ARMS DOWN AND RED LIGHTS FLASHING. THE BRAKES FAIL CAUSING HER CAR TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 27, 2019 · crash

“DRIVER 1 TRAVELING EASTBOUND IN THE BLVD AND GETS DISTRACTED AND COLLIDED TO PARKED VEHICLE 2. DRIVER 1 SWERVED THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO CONTROL THE CAR BUT VEHICLE 1 OVERTURNED AND CAME TO REST.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 17, 2015 · crash

2016 Honda HR-V — common questions

Is the 2016 Honda HR-V reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 318 complaints put the 2016 model at #3 of 11 HR-V years. It is one of the HR-V years to avoid.

What are the most common 2016 HR-V problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (73 complaints), electrical system (58 complaints), other (44 complaints).

Does the 2016 Honda HR-V have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Honda HR-V. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Honda HR-V years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the HR-V years to avoid are 2023, 2019, 2016. The cleanest record among HR-V years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2016 Honda HR-V?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 Honda HR-V earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2016 compare to other HR-V years?

What are the most common 2016 Honda HR-V problems?

Does the 2016 Honda HR-V have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2016 Honda HR-V — common questions

Is the 2016 Honda HR-V reliable?

What are the most common 2016 HR-V problems?

Does the 2016 Honda HR-V have recalls?

Which Honda HR-V years should you avoid?

How safe is the 2016 Honda HR-V?

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