2016 Honda HR-V Problems, Recalls & Reliability
319 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2016 Honda HR-V, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 50/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Transmission & drivetrain leads the reports, typically around 79,000 miles.
Below average
Where 2016 sits among all HR-V years
What owners report
“I press down on the gas pedal and it seems to not go. I have the transmission light, the parking light and brake lights on the dashboard”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 HR-V
“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.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 HR-V
“A year after buying my hr-v the odometer went out. Now, two years later the second odometer is doing the same thing.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 HR-V
“Right rear rotor had grooves in it after about 22,000 miles. Brake pads have a lot of material left. Don't know if the rotor or the pads are the problem.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 HR-V
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 145 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 52,011 miles. Half of those reports fall between 14,700 and 76,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (2)
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
Technical service bulletins
109 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on fuel system and electrical — are on file for the 2016 Honda HR-V. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2016 Honda HR-V reliable?
The 2016 Honda HR-V drew 319 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 50/100, scored against the model's worst year (2023).
What are the most common 2016 Honda HR-V problems?
The top reported problems for the 2016 Honda HR-V are transmission & drivetrain (74 complaints), electrical (66), and other (46).
At what mileage do 2016 Honda HR-V problems show up?
Owners most often report 2016 Honda HR-V problems around 52,011 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 14,700 and 76,000 miles.
Does the 2016 Honda HR-V have recalls?
2 recall campaigns apply to the 2016 Honda HR-V. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.