2016 Honda HR-V problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 168 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Honda HR-V, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 2 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
168
Recalls
2
Crashes
8
Fires
0
Injuries
8
Median mileage
68,982 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 63 of 168 complaints (38%).
  • Electrical System (39) and body & structure (16) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 68,982 mi.
  • Owners reported 8 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries.
  • The 2016 Honda HR-V has 2 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 3rd of 12 Honda HR-V model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).

2016 Honda HR-V problems by category

  • 63 complaints
  • 39 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    25 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    16 complaints
  • Engine
    16 complaints
  • Brakes · 5 crashes
    15 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control · 1 crash
    10 complaints
  • Airbags · 5 crashes
    7 complaints
  • Lighting
    5 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    4 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    4 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    2 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    2 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints
  • Steering
    1 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Power train63
Electrical system38
Unknown or other25
Engine16
Structure:body15
Service brakes13
Vehicle speed control10
Air bags7

When problems happen (mileage)

3Under 10k410k–30k1230k–60k3060k–100k7100k–150k1150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2016 Honda HR-V complaints that list mileage.

2016 Honda HR-V recalls (2)

  • Recall 18V777000Nov 1, 201864,785 vehicles
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

    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."

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 15V472000Jul 28, 201511,511 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 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."

    Risk: 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.

Recent 2016 Honda HR-V complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 6, 2026AZEngine
    Description of Safety Defect: This vehicle represents an immediate public safety hazard and total safety certification invalidation due to an unauthorized, mismatched engine model swap executed by Camelback Toyota Collision Center under Workfile ID: XXX. The facility utilized official manufacturer network credentials under a certified status to secure a premium repair contract, but secretly outsourced the vehicle. According to the shop's Final Bill (RO Number: XXX) and the…
    NHTSA complaint #11769376 · source
  2. Filed Sep 1, 2026PAOther / Unknown
    The factory white paint on my 2016 Honda HR-V is severely peeling, and delaminating from the vehicle body panels. The paint failure has exposed bare metal beneath, resulting in rapid corrosion and rust formation. Large flakes of paint have detached while driving at highway speeds, creating a dangerous flying debris hazard for vehicles behind me and distracting other drivers.My local authorized Honda dealership has inspected the damage but refused to repair or address the…
    NHTSA complaint #11761338 · source
  3. Filed Jul 17, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain
    CVT has gone into safety/limp mode. June 7 2026 First sign was the EPB not releasing. Became drivable after warm up period. Replaced EPB switch and vehicle drove normally. There was still a parking brake caution light. On July 12, 2026 the issue repeated. This time the check engine light and transmission light have come on. Had it diagnosed at a mechanic and they found transmission codes: P0717 – Input/Turbine Speed Sensor "A" Circuit No Signal P0843 – Transmission Fluid…
    NHTSA complaint #11751182 · source
  4. Filed Jun 10, 202664,612 miILCrash1 injuredTowedBrakes
    The contact owned a 2016 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving at 12 MPH, the vehicle experienced a brake failure, resulting in a frontal collision with a utility vehicle. The airbag deployed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a private salvage auto auction yard. The contact stated that the vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. There was no property damage. A police report was filed. The contact was transported…
    NHTSA complaint #11743317 · source
  5. Filed May 28, 2026FLOther / Unknown
    My vehicle paint is peeling and it is the NH788P. ( Orchid Pearl White). I am the second owner of this car as of 2021. It started on the roof and has continued to doors etc. No recalls were shown on the CarFax at the time of purchase.
    NHTSA complaint #11740693 · source
  6. Filed May 21, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain
    Car went into limp mode far from home. Lots of lights on the dash lit up. I scanned the OBD and it came back with code P271E to replace the automatic transmission assembly. This was confirmed by a transmission repair shop. This is a known issue by Honda and they have issued service bulletins 21-046 and 21-047. However, my vehicle is outside of the warranty extension and they will not provide assistance with the repair.
    NHTSA complaint #11739182 · source
  7. Filed May 8, 2026133,000 miOHTowedTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2016 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle would not accelerate past approximately 35MPH while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to the same local dealer on several occasions, where it was diagnosed as needing a battery, an unknown belt, and torque converter replacement. The vehicle was repaired at the consumer's expense. The vehicle was…
    NHTSA complaint #11736543 · source
  8. Filed May 5, 2026NYBody & Structure
    Subject: Paint Failure – Known Defect (Honda White Paint Peeling) Vehicle Information: - Year: 2016 - Make: Honda - Model: [Fit or HR-V — fill in] - Color: Orchid White Pearl (NH-788P) - Purchase Date: August 2016 Complaint: I am reporting a paint defect affecting my 2016 Honda vehicle with Orchid White Pearl paint. The paint has been actively peeling since early September 2022 and has progressively worsened over time, now affecting numerous areas of the vehicle. The peeling…
    NHTSA complaint #11735882 · source

Compare the 2016 Honda HR-V with another vehicle →

Other 2016 Honda models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology