Second generation
2016 Honda HR-V
The most reported problem on the 2016 Honda HR-V is transmission failure, with 26 complaints, usually around 94,000 miles.
- 239owner complaints
- 2recalls
- 13involved a crash
- 61,900median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 1, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your HR-V doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2016 model year.
Is the 2016 Honda HR-V reliable?
The 2016 Honda HR-V has 239 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 248 for 2016 SUVs on this site. Of the 11 HR-V model years since 2016, it has the 2nd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017
- At 22 complaints for each year on the road, the 2016 runs above the 2017 (12). That's the only adjacent model year with enough complaints to set beside it.
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Transmission failure has 26 complaints and brake wear has 25, out of 239 in all. It's a high-mileage complaint: half of the 16 owners who gave a mileage for transmission failure were past about 94,000 miles.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 16 of the 239 complaints (7%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 13 reports mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 11 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 8 of 13, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Brake wear has a recall on the same system (18V-777). Transmission failure has none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2020 at 39 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 21. So far in 2026, 14 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: transmission fails or needs replacement, 26 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
239 complaints is about the median for a 2016 model on this site and about the median for a 2016 SUV. Among the 7 HR-V model years here it ranks 2nd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2016 Honda HR-V
Honda filed 109 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2016 Honda HR-V. 16 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Battery dies or the car will not start 3 bulletins · 16 complaints
The Charging System indicator is on with DTC P154A (battery sensor internal failure). The battery sensor has an internal failure.
SERVICE BULLETIN THE BATTERY SENSOR MAY EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL FAILURE, RESULTING IN DTC P154A.
1 more on this problem
Charging System Indicator Is On with DTC P154A The Charging System indicator is on with DTC P154A (battery sensor internal failure). The battery sensor has an internal failure. Replace the battery sensor.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 4 bulletins · 15 complaints
Owner Notification Letter - The vehicle may not start upon first press of the ENGINE START/STOP button. Also, the MID displays the error message KEYLESS START SYSTEM ERROR, and DTC B12C5 (Engine Start/Stop Switch Failure) is stored.
The vehicle may not start upon first press of the ENGINE START/STOP button. Also, MID displays the error message KEYLESS START SYSTEM ERROR, and DTC B12C5 (Engine Start/Stop Switch Failure) is stored.
2 more on this problem
Bluetooth HandsFreeLink (HFL) freezes after a phone call and stored voice tags are missing when the ignition is turned to ON.
Servicenews article - Are any customers complaining about any of the following issues between their iPhone running iOS 12 when it's connected to their vehicle? ? You can't view or listen to videos, music, etc., when using a HDMI output.
Airbag warning light or recall 1 bulletin · 13 complaints
THIS COMMUNICATION IS INFORMING HONDA OF A DELAMINATION ISSUES WITHIN AN I.C. PRODUCED BY NXP AND ASSEMBLED INTO AIRBAG SENSOR SUPPLIED BY DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, INC.
Paint peels or body rusts 8 bulletins · 11 complaints
Today, June 5, 2019, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2015-18 Fit and 2016-18 HR-V vehicles with White Orchid Pearl paint to address customer concerns with peeling paint.
The exterior paint on the vehicle may peel off. American Honda is extending the warranty on the paint of the affected vehicles to 7 years from the original date of purchase with no mileage limit.
6 more on this problem
SERVICE BULLETIN A NON-GALVANIZED DOOR HANDLE BRACKET LOCATED INSIDE THE DOOR WAS INSTALLED DURING MANUFACTURING AND MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.
FOLLOWUP NOTICE OUR RECORDS INDICATE THAT A PRODUCT UPDATE HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED ON THIS VEHICLE; REFER TO THE ADDRESS CARD FOR THE AFFECTED VIN.
Anon-galvanized door handle bracket located inside the front passenger's door was installed during manufacturing and maybe susceptible to corrosion.
DEALER MESSAGE ON DECEMBER 22, 2015 AMERICAN HONDA ANNOUNCED TWO PRODUCT UPDATES FOR 2015 FIT & 2016 HR-V VEHICLES TO INSPECT THE INNER DOOR HANDLE BRACKETS FOR CORROSION.
DEALER MESSAGE TODAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015, AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. IS ANNOUNCING TWO PRODUCT UPDATES FOR 84,138 UNITS OF THE 2015-16 FIT & 16,019 UNITS OF THE 2016 HR-V VEHICLES TO INSPECT THE INNER DOOR HANDLE BRACKETS FOR CORROSION.
SERVICE BULLETIN A NON-GALVANIZED DOOR HANDLE BRACKET WAS INSTALLED IN THE FRONT PASSENGERS DOOR DURING MANUFACTURING AND MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.
Complaints filed by year
39 complaints came in 2020. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2016 Honda HR-V
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
All 2 recalls on the 2016 Honda HR-V, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2016 Honda HR-V?
Transmission failure, with 26 of the 239 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 94,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2016 Honda HR-V problems start?
Of the 129 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 22,000 miles and half by about 62,000.
Is the 2016 Honda HR-V better or worse than the 2017?
Counted per year on the road, the 2016 has more complaints than the 2017: 22 a year against 12.
How many 2016 Honda HR-V complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
16 of them (7%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for transmission failure on the 2016 Honda HR-V?
No recall on file for the 2016 Honda HR-V is on the same system as transmission failure. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.