2016 Honda HR-V: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
2 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer. A lot of owner complaints, 31% about transmission & drivetrain.
Ask for the VIN and check it, then get a pre-purchase inspection.
Known problems on the 2016 Honda HR-V
No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.
2016 Honda HR-V recalls
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2016 Honda HR-V. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- Brakes
A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
Details 18V777000
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."
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 numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.
- Equipment
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.
Details 15V472000
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."
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 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JT2, or JT4.
2016 Honda HR-V safety investigations and free repairs
No open safety investigations.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Transmission: American Honda is announcing a product update and warranty extension for certain 2016-2020 HR-V vehicles to address incorrect CVT operation which may cause vehicle noise, illumination of the MIL, and/or loss of motive force in extremely rare situations.
- Engine: American Honda is extending the warranty coverage of the engine start/stop switch to 9 years from the original date of purchase or 125,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- Paint: The exterior paint on the vehicle may peel off.
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2016 Honda HR-V safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
239 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
Other Honda HR-V years
Printable inspection checklist · Out-the-door price calculator