2016 Honda HR-V · symptom sheet

Transmission fails or needs replacement

26owner reports
94,000median miles
$6,800median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report May 8, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

74 of the 239 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 26 of those describe transmission failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 HR-V.

Tick what matches of 26 reports

warning lights came on first

it was replaced under warranty

I paid for it myself

a second transmission also failed

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (26 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2016 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the HR-V

PE22-011opened Nov 28, 2022

Transmission and drivetrain · model years 2018 to 2022

Rear differential seizure. Closed jul 22, 2024.

NHTSA summary

On November 29, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE 22-011 after reviewing field reports alleging rear differential seizure in 2018-2022MY Honda CR-V and HR-V vehicles equipped with all wheel drive. To date, ODI has not received any consumer complaints. Some of the field reports received alleged the vehicle’s wheels locked up with no warning while the vehicle was in motion. These vehicles were towed to a dealership. Examination of these vehicles showed the driveshaft had broken and the differential unit was completely damaged. The field reports cited a lack of oil due to damaged oil seals as the cause. Honda provided data including consumer complaints, field reports, and warranty claims they received relating to the loss of oil retention and resulting differential damage. Honda’s data cited 1201 incidents with unique vehicle identification numbers (VINs). The rear differential oil seals prevent the oil from leaking out and protect internal components from contaminants. A loss of oil lubrication results in failure of the vehicle differential. Honda stated that the oil seal’s lip contact with the driveshaft may become unstable due to intermittent changes in internal pressure. Their review of field report and warranty data indicated that these failures occurred early in the vehicle’s life thus the failures were covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Honda stated that in November 2021 they changed the seal specifications and improved the packa

None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.

What owners paid

5 of the 26 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $6,500 to $8,000.

$6,500$6,800$8,000

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 72,500 and 120,000 miles, from the 16 reports that gave a mileage.

620

621

723

124

425

226

What owners wrote

“Transmission belt failure at ~100k+ miles. This incident occurred after the recall repair for the software update related to the transmission. Most hazard indicators switched on, vehicle could not go over 50 miles per hour. Took vehicle into honda service center. They determined it to be a transmission failure.”
Filed Nov 10, 2025

“Transmission failure. It is available for inspection upon request. While driving on major highways, I could have been at risk of a crash. I took the vehicle to Honda to confirm the transmission belt stretched. The insurance refused to inspect it. No warning lamps, messages, or other. I went over a railroad crossing and suddenly heard the transmission grinding gears.”
Filed Jul 4, 2025

“The cap to the transmission came out which apparently is an issue with the cap getting smaller and popping out which made the oil all come out of the top and covered the parts in the car. This caused the vehicle needing a new transmission now!”
Filed Jul 30, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 26 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.