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2016 Honda CR-V: problems, recalls and fuel economy

Updated 2026-10-22. Based on NHTSA and EPA records. Published by Humblebee.

The 2016 Honda CR-V has 394 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, one of the lower totals of recent CR-V years[1][2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe a gasoline smell in the cabin and shaking at idle, and every buyer should check whether the fuel pump recall applies to the car and was done[3][4][5]. It earns 5 stars overall in NHTSA crash tests[6][7].

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 394 owner complaints on file for the 2016 CR-V[1]. Of those, 40 mention a crash and 4 a fire. They report 36 injuries and no deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Engine 103[4] 22,500[4]
Unknown or other 86[8] 23,565[8]
Fuel/propulsion system 65[3] 9,600[3]
Electrical system 64[9] 24,000[9]
Power train 45[10] 22,000[10]
Air bags 32[11] 30,087[11]
Speed control 28[12] 8,901[12]
Brakes 19[13] 18,900[13]

Gasoline smell in the cabin. In a sample of complaints we read, nearly every fuel/propulsion complaint describes a raw gasoline or fume smell inside the car, often worst at start-up, at idle or when backing up[3]. These problems show up early, at a median of 9,600 miles[3]. Some owners say dealers could not find the cause, and a few say the fumes gave them headaches, nausea or burning eyes[3]. The same smell shows up in engine complaints too[4]. We have no record of a Honda fix for it, so ask the seller whether the car has had this smell.

Shaking at idle in Drive. The engine group has the most complaints, with 103[4]. In the sampled texts, owners describe fumes and strong vibration when stopped in Drive at low engine speed, not internal engine failure[4]. Owners say it eases in Neutral or when the idle rises[4]. Some say Honda or the dealer called it normal[10]. Power train complaints describe the same shaking, plus hesitation or a brief stall when pulling away[10]. One owner says the car rolled after it was switched off with the push button, and another worries it could[10].

Electrical problems. The 64 electrical complaints cover many unrelated issues rather than one repeated defect[9]. Examples include rodents chewing the power steering wiring, a rear hatch button that stops working in freezing weather and keyless entry quirks[9].

Smaller groups with more crashes. Speed control has only 28 complaints, but 13 of them mention a crash[12]. Air bag complaints include 16 crashes and brake complaints include 9[11][13]. These groups are small. A complaint that mentions a crash does not by itself show what caused it.

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2016 CR-V[5][14][15]. Newest first:

The fuel pump recall applies only to certain cars, so run the VIN on the NHTSA recall lookup to see whether a given CR-V is included and whether the repair was done[5].

Fuel economy

Every 2016 CR-V in the EPA data uses a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine with an automatic (variable gear ratios), and it runs on regular gas[16][17].

Version City Highway Combined EPA annual fuel cost
2WD (front-wheel drive) 26[16] 32[16] 29[16] $2,300[16]
4WD (all-wheel drive) 25[17] 31[17] 27[17] $2,500[17]

The all-wheel drive version costs about $200 more a year to fuel by EPA's estimate[16][17]. EPA bases these costs on its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives both the front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions 5 stars overall[6][7]. Both get 5 stars for frontal and side crashes and 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 17.4%[6][7].

How 2016 compares with other years

The 2016 model year has 394 complaints and 3 recalls on file[2]. That is fewer complaints than the 2015 (672) and 2014 (587) models, and close to 2012 (403) and 2013 (382)[2]. It is far below the three years that came right after it: 2017 has 1,776 complaints, 2018 has 2,160 and 2019 has 1,106[2].

Among CR-V years since 2012, 2016 has one of the lower complaint totals[2]. Keep in mind that these counts are not adjusted for sales, so part of the gap between years may come from how many cars were sold.

Should you buy a used 2016 CR-V?

The 2016 CR-V has 5-star overall crash scores and one of the lower complaint totals of recent CR-V years[6][2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe a gasoline smell in the cabin and shaking at idle in Drive, and we found no record of a Honda fix for either[3][4]. On a test drive, sit at idle in Drive and check for fumes, especially right after a cold start. Before you buy, check the VIN for the fuel pump recall and confirm the repair was done[5]. If the car passes those checks, it is a fair pick, rated at 29 mpg combined for front-wheel drive and 27 for all-wheel drive[16][17].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Honda CR-V?
The engine group has the most complaints, with 103[4]. Separately, in a sample of complaints we read, owners describe a gasoline smell in the cabin and shaking when stopped in Drive[3][4].
Does the 2016 Honda CR-V have recalls?
Yes, three. The one a given car is most likely to need is 23V858 for the fuel pump, which can fail and stall the engine[5]. The other two cover only 515 and 16 cars[15][14].
What MPG does a 2016 CR-V get?
EPA rates the front-wheel drive model at 29 mpg combined and the all-wheel drive model at 27 mpg combined[16][17].
Is the 2016 Honda CR-V reliable?
It has 394 complaints on file, fewer than 2014, 2015 and 2017 to 2019[2]. Complaints are unverified reports, but the total is on the low side for recent CR-V years[2].
Is the 2016 CR-V better than the 2017?
By complaint count, yes. The 2016 has 394 complaints and the 2017 has 1,776[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 394 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Honda CR-V (40 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 36 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Complaints and recalls on file with NHTSA for each Honda CR-V model year: 1997: 108 complaints / 2 recalls, 1998: 128 complaints / 3 recalls, 1999: 127 complaints / 3 recalls, 2000: 129 complaints / 2 recalls, 2001: 142 complaints / 1 recalls, 2002: 515 complaints / 15 recalls, 2003: 468 complaints / 13 recalls, 2004: 501 complaints / 12 recalls, 2005: 479 complaints / 12 recalls, 2006: 398 complaints / 12 recalls, 2007: 887 complaints / 12 recalls, 2008: 962 complaints / 11 recalls, 2009: 386 complaints / 12 recalls, 2010: 481 complaints / 15 recalls, 2011: 554 complaints / 13 recalls, 2012: 403 complaints / 3 recalls, 2013: 382 complaints / 2 recalls, 2014: 587 complaints / 1 recalls, 2015: 672 complaints / 3 recalls, 2016: 394 complaints / 3 recalls, 2017: 1,776 complaints / 7 recalls, 2018: 2,160 complaints / 5 recalls, 2019: 1,106 complaints / 8 recalls, 2020: 440 complaints / 9 recalls, 2021: 443 complaints / 5 recalls, 2022: 344 complaints / 6 recalls, 2023: 633 complaints / 8 recalls, 2024: 481 complaints / 5 recalls, 2025: 289 complaints / 6 recalls, 2026: 171 complaints / 2 recalls, 2027: 0 complaints / 0 recalls. NHTSA recall database
  3. 65 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 9,600). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 103 complaints name the engine component group (6 crashes, 3 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. Recall 23V858 (2023-12-18): Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump. Potentially affected units: 2,490,460. Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314. NHTSA recall database
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 86 complaints name the unknown or other component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 23,565). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 64 complaints name the electrical system component group (5 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 24,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 45 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 32 complaints name the air bags component group (16 crashes, 0 fires, 18 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,087). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 28 complaints name the speed control component group (13 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,901). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 19 complaints name the brakes component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 17V305 (2017-05-04): Engine. Potentially affected units: 16. Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Honda CR-V vehicles that recently received a replacement engine. The replacement engine may have been built with the wrong pistons, potentially affecting the engine's performance. Consequence: The reduced performance may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace the incorrect components, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KF6. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 15V714 (2015-10-29): Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module. Potentially affected units: 515. Defect: American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CR-V vehicles manufactured October 12, 2015, to October 19, 2015. The metal housing surrounding the driver's air bag inflator in these vehicles may have been manufactured incorrectly. Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began in November 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda'a number for this recall is JV9. NHTSA recall database
  16. EPA rating for CR-V 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 32 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for CR-V 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 31 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.