Verdict
2016 Honda HR-V: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2016 Honda HR-V — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
More reported complaints than most wagon.
Owners filed 237 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 100% of 2016 wagons. Power Train leads the reports (30%). 2 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2016 wagons, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
237
Reports to NHTSA, 2016
Safety recalls
2
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
29
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 100% of 2016 wagons
The bar is this car's percentile among 2016 wagons by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Power Train issues lead owner complaints (30% of 237 reports), followed by electrical system (21%).
+ 11 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 237 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11739182, ODI 11736543, ODI 11717341, ODI 11714089, ODI 11713049.
Recalls(2)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Service BrakesJan 2018 · 18V777000Details +Close −
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."
Risk: 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.
Equipment · 15V472000Details +Close −
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."
Risk: 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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2016 Honda HR-V SUV FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2016 Honda HR-V SUV AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HR-V 2WD | 1.8L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 28 | 34 | 31 |
| HR-V 2WD | 1.8L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S7) | 28 | 34 | 31 |
| HR-V 4WD | 1.8L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 27 | 32 | 29 |
| HR-V 4WD | 1.8L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S7) | 27 | 32 | 29 |
| HR-V 2WD | 1.8L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 25 | 33 | 28 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2016 Honda HR-V: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2016 Honda HR-V?
Owners filed 237 NHTSA complaints about the 2016 Honda HR-V — more complaints than 100% of comparable 2016 wagons, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2016 Honda HR-V?
The most-reported problem areas are Power Train (30% of complaints) and electrical system (21%).
How many recalls does the 2016 Honda HR-V have?
2 recalls have been issued that affect the 2016 Honda HR-V, covering components such as service brakes. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Honda HR-V get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Honda HR-V between 28 and 31 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.