CarBrief

NHTSA has 243 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Honda HR-V, led by power train reports[1][2]. It also has two recalls, one for brake calipers and one for a missing tire label[3][4].

243owner complaints[1]
2recalls[5]
28–31MPG combined (EPA)[6]
5★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

These are owner reports to NHTSA, not confirmed defects. One complaint can name more than one component, so the groups below do not add up to the total. Of the 243 complaints[1], 13 mention a crash[1], 1 a fire[1] and 11 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1].

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Power train[2] 76 78,000
Electrical system[8] 57 45,333
Unknown or other[9] 45 15,250
Brakes[10] 25 52,011
Engine[11] 23 66,135
Structure[12] 22 52,000
Speed control[13] 14 69,000
Air bags[14] 13 17,600

Power train. This is the largest group. In a sample of 12 complaint texts we read[2], 8 describe the car losing power or drive while moving, often with warning lights on the dash[2]. 5 of the 12 name the transmission as the part that failed[2]. None of the 76 power train complaints mention a crash, fire or injury[2].

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 texts we read[8], 6 describe trouble starting or turning off the car, or battery and charging problems[8]. 2 describe water getting into the car or the rear hatch and then causing electrical faults[8]. None of the 57 mention a crash, fire or injury[8].

Brakes. This group has 6 crashes and 4 injuries among its 25 complaints[10]. In a sample of 12 texts we read, 4 describe weak or failed braking and 2 describe grooves or wear on the rotors[10]. See the recall section below for the brake caliper recall.

Engine. One of the 23 engine complaints mentions a fire[11]. In a sample of 12 texts we read, 4 describe stalling or sudden revving or acceleration[11].

Air bags. 8 of the 13 air bag complaints mention a crash and 8 mention injuries[14]. It is a small group and we did not read a text sample for it, so we cannot say what owners describe.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this model year[5]. Newest first:

Both recalls list a free remedy. You can ask a Honda dealer whether they were done on a specific car. Honda customer service is at 1-888-234-2138[3][4].

Fuel economy

The EPA lists these ratings for the 2016 HR-V, all with a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine on regular gas[15][6][16][17][18].

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
2WD, Manual 6-spd[15] 25 / 33 / 28 $2,400
2WD, Automatic (variable gear ratios)[6] 28 / 34 / 31 $2,150
2WD, Automatic (AV-S7)[16] 28 / 34 / 31 $2,150
4WD, Automatic (variable gear ratios)[17] 27 / 32 / 29 $2,300
4WD, Automatic (AV-S7)[18] 27 / 32 / 29 $2,300

The 2WD automatic gets the best combined number at 31 MPG[6][16]. The annual cost uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the all-wheel-drive version 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal, 5 for side and 4 for rollover[7]. Its rollover risk is 13.5%[7]. The front-wheel-drive version has the same star ratings, with a rollover risk of 15.3%[19].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list rates the 1.8L 4-cylinder at 138 hp[20]. The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

AWD FWD
Length[21][22] 169 in 169 in
Width[21][22] 70 in 70 in
Height[21][22] 63 in 63 in
Wheelbase[21][22] 103 in 103 in
Curb weight[21][22] 3,062 lb 2,910 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

2016: 243 complaints, 2 recalls24320162017: 123 complaints, 0 recalls20172018: 159 complaints, 3 recalls20182019: 236 complaints, 7 recalls20192020: 85 complaints, 5 recalls20202021: 63 complaints, 4 recalls20212022: 89 complaints, 3 recalls20222023: 687 complaints, 3 recalls20232024: 110 complaints, 4 recalls20242025: 47 complaints, 1 recalls20252026: 18 complaints, 0 recalls20262027: 6 complaints, 0 recalls2027
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each HR-V model year. The 2016 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20162432
20171230
20181593
20192367
2020855
2021634
2022893
20236873
20241104
2025471
2026180
202760

Among the 12 HR-V model years NHTSA lists[5], 2016 has the second highest complaint count at 243[5]. Only 2023 is higher, with 687[5]. 2019 is close behind at 236[5]. The 2017 model year has 123 complaints and no recalls, while 2016 has 2 recalls and 2019 has 7[5].

These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide only. They also cannot tell you how any single car has held up.

Should you buy a used 2016 Honda HR-V?

The 2016 HR-V draws a fairly high number of complaints for this model line, and the largest group is the power train[2][5]. Owners in the text sample describe losing power or drive while moving, so a test drive and a service history check are worth your time. Make sure the brake caliper recall (18V777) and the tire label recall (15V472) were handled[3][4]. Fuel economy of 31 MPG combined for the 2WD automatic is a plus, and the 5-star overall safety rating is another[6][16][7][19]. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so they point to what to check rather than what will fail.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Honda HR-V?
NHTSA's largest complaint group is the power train with 76 of 243 complaints, followed by the electrical system with 57[1][2][8]. In the samples we read, owners describe loss of power or drive and starting or battery trouble. These are unverified owner reports.
Are there recalls on the 2016 Honda HR-V?
Yes, 2[5]. One covers rear brake calipers (18V777) and one covers a missing tire label on some cars built in early 2015 (15V472). Both have a free remedy[3][4].
What MPG does the 2016 Honda HR-V get?
The EPA rates it from 28 combined for the 2WD manual[15] to 31 combined for the 2WD automatic[6]. The 4WD automatic is rated 29 combined[15][6][17].
Is the 2016 Honda HR-V safe?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall in both AWD and FWD versions[7][19].
Is 2016 a good year for the Honda HR-V?
By NHTSA counts, 2016 has 243 complaints, more than 2017 with 123, and only 2023 has more[5]. The counts are not adjusted for sales, so they cannot rank the years on their own.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 243 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Honda HR-V (13 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 11 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 76 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 18V777, filed November 1, 2018: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 15V472, filed July 28, 2015: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda HR-V model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for HR-V 2WD, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 34 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 13.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 57 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,333). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 45 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,250). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 25 complaints name the brakes component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,011). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 23 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,135). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 22 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 14 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 13 complaints name the air bags component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,600). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for HR-V 2WD, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for HR-V 2WD, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 34 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for HR-V 4WD, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 32 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for HR-V 4WD, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 32 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Honda HR-V with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 138 hp. www.epa.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HR-V AWD: length 169 in, width 70 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,062 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HR-V FWD: length 169 in, width 70 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,910 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.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. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.