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2016 Honda HR-V

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most HR-V years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Honda HR-V are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

117 reports with mileage · 122 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports1 fire reports11 injury reports

What owners actually said

239 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2025
Electrical System

My daughters 2016 Honda HRV (59k) has continual electrical issues. First it's the battery sensor $617. Then the keyless access control module $1100 but given a discount. Something is also wrong with the heated seat it burned a hole in the seat. Honda says it's 10 years old it's gonna start falling apart. Numerous complaints…

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My daughters 2016 Honda HRV (59k) has continual electrical issues. First it's the battery sensor $617. Then the keyless access control module $1100 but given a discount. Something is also wrong with the heated seat it burned a hole in the seat. Honda says it's 10 years old it's gonna start falling apart. Numerous complaints online with all of the electrical issues mentioned and the service manager says Honda doesn't have to issue recalls until there's class action lawsuit filed for vehicles. All of this stuff has happened in the last 8 months.

NHTSA ODI #11685054

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2025
Structure

The car is a 2016 Honda HRV. The car is orchid pearl (white) and has developed extensive paint issues where the paint is peeling on the doors and potentially places on the roof. The car is an excellent overall condition with no history of auto accidents. This paint issue is common for this color HRV and impacts the value of the …

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The car is a 2016 Honda HRV. The car is orchid pearl (white) and has developed extensive paint issues where the paint is peeling on the doors and potentially places on the roof. The car is an excellent overall condition with no history of auto accidents. This paint issue is common for this color HRV and impacts the value of the vehicle and will lead to body surface rust and the problem continues to worsen each month.

NHTSA ODI #11684900

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2025
Power Train

While driving on a highway the vehicle with no warning seemed to lose all power and multiple warning dashboard lights came on. We were able to pull to the side of the highway which did not have a full size break down lane. The vehicle was towed to a nearby dealer who reported that the transmission had failed completely. There…

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While driving on a highway the vehicle with no warning seemed to lose all power and multiple warning dashboard lights came on. We were able to pull to the side of the highway which did not have a full size break down lane. The vehicle was towed to a nearby dealer who reported that the transmission had failed completely. There were no noticeable signs or warnings of transmission failure or any other problem prior to this incident with the vehicle. We were on a single lane highway at the time and we were able to pull to the side but on the same trip had been on multiple lane highways and it would have been difficult to navigate multiple lanes to pull to the side of the road with the loss of power.

NHTSA ODI #11682995

80,000 miles · Jul 30, 2025
Exterior Lighting

The contact owns a 2016 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that water had accumulated in the tail lights, causing the lights to become inoperable. The contact stated that he had noticed an abnormal water sound while driving the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not d…

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The contact owns a 2016 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that water had accumulated in the tail lights, causing the lights to become inoperable. The contact stated that he had noticed an abnormal water sound while driving the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #11677167

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2025
Structure

Faulty seams and gaskets in the rear cause water to leak into spare tire well. This causes mold & mildew issues to occur. From online research, this is an extremeley common issue for the 2016 Honda HR-V. There is evidence that the water is coming in through the rear tail lights. This has been a common failure point for many ot…

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Faulty seams and gaskets in the rear cause water to leak into spare tire well. This causes mold & mildew issues to occur. From online research, this is an extremeley common issue for the 2016 Honda HR-V. There is evidence that the water is coming in through the rear tail lights. This has been a common failure point for many others online, which is why I think this is worthy of recall. I first had mold issues about 18 months ago. I thought it may have been from a spilled drink, so I sanitized the upholstery and moved on. Now a few weeks after some rainy weather, I found mold on the upholstery again and felt increased interior humidity in the car. My point is that this issue could remain benign for a long time and manifest as mold during heavy/rainy weather.

NHTSA ODI #11673730

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2025
Power Train

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 suddenl…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11671206

Mileage unknown · May 27, 2025
Electrical SystemService Brakes

I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding a serious safety issue affecting Honda vehicles — specifically the widespread failure of the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) module — and Honda's failure to issue a recall despite extensive evidence and customer reports. A recent YouTube video titled "Why Honda Hasn’t Recalled …

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I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding a serious safety issue affecting Honda vehicles — specifically the widespread failure of the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) module — and Honda's failure to issue a recall despite extensive evidence and customer reports. A recent YouTube video titled "Why Honda Hasn’t Recalled This Dangerous Problem" [XXX] ) highlights that many Honda owners are experiencing identical issues: ABS warning lights appearing on the dashboard, inconsistent braking behavior, and in some cases, total brake failure. This is a major safety hazard, especially in emergency braking scenarios or on wet or slippery roads. I personally experienced this issue with my own Honda vehicle. After taking it to a Honda dealership, I was quoted $3,000 to replace the defective ABS module — a steep and unfair out-of-pocket expense for what clearly appears to be a design or manufacturing defect. The dealership acknowledged that this is a common problem, yet I was told there is no recall, leaving me with the financial burden and a compromised vehicle. From numerous reports, it's evident that this issue spans across different Honda models and production years. Yet, Honda continues to ignore the risk, even though a faulty ABS system directly compromises vehicle control and passenger safety. I respectfully urge the NHTSA to conduct a formal investigation into these ABS module failures and compel Honda to issue a recall and reimburse affected owners. Allowing these vehicles to remain on the road in unsafe condition poses a danger not only to Honda drivers but to everyone sharing the road with them. Thank you for your attention to this urgent safety matter. Please feel free to contact me if any additional information is needed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11663171

Mileage unknown · May 14, 2025
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

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

NHTSA ODI #11660870

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2025
Electrical System

The information display panel on the instrument cluster goes blank or gibberish when it is cooler outside. The car does this when it is cold. After the car warms up it gets better. This looks to be a common problem

NHTSA ODI #11659163

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2025
Power Train

On or about June of 2024 my vehicle just lost power and was in limp mode. Took it to the dealership. Said there was a recall on a computer program for the cvt transmission that needed updating so the transmission wouldn't break. They did the recall but transmission was already broke. I bought the car July 2023 and was unaware of…

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On or about June of 2024 my vehicle just lost power and was in limp mode. Took it to the dealership. Said there was a recall on a computer program for the cvt transmission that needed updating so the transmission wouldn't break. They did the recall but transmission was already broke. I bought the car July 2023 and was unaware of any issues or recalls and didn't receive nothing in the mail to advise if a recall to prevent the cvt transmission from breaking. I'm still paying on the car and can't drive it because the cvt transmission is broke from a recall that was not fixed and I didn't get anything letting me know to get it fixed. Said the recall would fix a broke transmission under 7 years or 150000 miles. Well the car was 1 year over but I was never aware of a recall and didn't receive any notice of a recall.

NHTSA ODI #11655542

Official recalls

2

18V777000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper

Nov 1, 2018

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

15V472000 · Equipment:other:labels; Tires

Jul 28, 2015

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Equipment:other:labels

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."

Consequence: 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.

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."

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.