Is the 2016 Honda HR-V a bad year?
243 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 76, 7.6× a quiet HR-V year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 70k–99k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 HR-V owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 79,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 76 (31%) | 70k–99k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 57 (23%) | 15k–63k miles · mostly behind | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 25 (10%) | 5k–57k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Engine | 23 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 22 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 14 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 13 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 10 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 79,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 243 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 11 report an injury · 19 say the car was towed.
22 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I was driving my car on a busy neighborhood street when all of a sudden the car stopped and didn't want to accelerate anymore.
I bought the car brand new in april of 2016, it has 70k miles on it, and I've never had an issue with it. Last week I was going about 40-50 MPH and my dash said the gear was in neutral, and all the warning lights came on.
It first started out by what I thought was just a issue with me having three new tires bc it would drive as if it was scrubbing.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 79,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Honda HR-V: 2
The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
The affected vehicles may be missing the required tire placard indicating "Tire and Loading Information." 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 90
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Honda HR-V. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Today, April 27, 2021, American Honda is announcing a product update and warranty extension for certain 2016-2020 HR-V vehicles to address incorrect CVT…
The vehicle may not start upon first press of the ENGINE START/STOP button
ServiceNews Article - Have you noticed the fill plug on a CVT has popped out or seems to be leaking
While driving at speeds between 20 and 55 mph (engine speeds between 2500 and 3500 rpm), you may hear a metallic buzz or rattle…
Neighbouring years
2017 HR-V: 124 complaints, keep it.
Every Honda HR-V year
2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All HR-V years side by side
Other Honda models: Honda Accord · Honda Accord Hybrid · Honda CR-V · Honda CR-V Hybrid · Honda Civic · Honda Civic Hybrid · Honda Civic Si · Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid · Honda Crosstour · Honda Element · Honda Fit · Honda GL1800 · Honda Insight · Honda Odyssey · Honda Passport · Honda Pilot · Honda Prologue · Honda Ridgeline · Honda VTX1300. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Honda HR-V a bad year?
243 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 76, 7.6× a quiet HR-V year. At 79,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 70k–99k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Honda HR-V?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (76), electrical system (57), brakes (25), engine (23), body structure (22). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 70k–99k miles.
How many recalls does the 2016 Honda HR-V have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 18V-777), Tires (NHTSA 15V-472). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.