Is the 2016 Honda HR-V reliable?

The 2016 Honda HR-V has 318 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Honda HR-V?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (73 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (56 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (44 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Honda HR-V?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. Contact any Honda dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Honda HR-V?

The 2016 Honda HR-V gets 30 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1600. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Honda HR-V?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Honda HR-V is approximately $1,448/year (suv-compact class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Honda HR-V

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Honda HR-V has 318 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.9x the segment average of 167. The most common issue is transmission problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: automobile stalled without warning at low speeds, this lead to near collision at intersection as the car became disabled in the middle of the road, car required multiple restarts to safely get it into a automobile service station; honda road side assistance dispatched a tow truck and vehicle was tak. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 18 crash reports 15 injuries

318

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

73 complaints

23%

• AUTOMOBILE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AT LOW SPEEDS, THIS LEAD TO NEAR COLLISION AT INTERSECTION AS THE CAR BECAME DISABLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, CAR REQUIRED MULTIPLE RESTARTS TO SAFELY GET IT INTO A AUTOMOBILE SERVICE STATION; HONDA ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE DISPATCHED A TOW TRUCK AND VEHICLE WAS TAK
• THE SEATS AND SEATING POSITION IN THE HR-V ARE VERY DANGEROUS. THE SEAT IS SO UNCOMFORTABLE AND DUE TO THIS, I AM SITTING SO CLOSE TO THE AWKWARDLY PLACED STEERING WHEEL THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAG WOULD PROBABLY NOT PROTECT ME. THE CVT IN THE HR-V IS SO UNREFINED THAT WHEN I LIFT O
• WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH WITH THE CRUISE SET I NOTICED THE VEHICLE START TO HEAVILY ACCELERATE. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE CRUISE OFF AND APPLIED THE BRAKE. THE BRAKE DID NO STOP THE CAR FROM ACCELERATING. I MANAGED TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. ALL DASH BOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. I STARTED THE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“AUTOMOBILE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AT LOW SPEEDS, THIS LEAD TO NEAR COLLISION AT INTERSECTION AS THE CAR BECAME DISABLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, CAR REQUIRED MULTIPLE RESTARTS TO SAFELY GET IT INTO A AUTOMOBILE SERVICE STATION; HONDA ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE DISPATCHED A TOW TRUCK AND VEHICLE WAS TAK”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Honda HR-V

Based on 159 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 49K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 45K mi · 27 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 20 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 52K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 18K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

In line with typicalmedian 45K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER01/11/2018

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."

Risk: A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Honda HR-V

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,600

Per month

$133

Per mile

13.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,412/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Honda HR-V

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,448

Full coverage / month

$121

Liability only / year

$586

vs US avg

-14%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-compact)1.00x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1448

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Honda HR-V Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Maintenance Minder shows exact intervals based on your driving. CVT-equipped models (Civic, HR-V, Accord Hybrid) need CVT fluid service, not conventional ATF.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Honda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Honda. If you're buying a used 2016 HR-V, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Honda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 318 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: AUTOMOBILE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AT LOW SPEEDS, THIS LEAD TO NEAR COLLISION AT INTERSECTION AS THE CAR BECAME DISABLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, CAR REQUIRED MULTIPLE RESTARTS TO SAFELY GET IT INTO A AUTOMOBILE SERVICE STATION; HONDA ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE DISPATCHED A TOW TRUCK AND VEHICLE WAS TAK
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: T.P.M.S. - LIGHT COMES ON REGULARLY, WITHOUT TIRES BEING AT INCORRECT PRESSURES. RANDOM OCCURRENCES SOMETIMES TIRES ARE LOW, SOMETIMES THEY ARE PERFECTLY SET. THIS IS A "SAFETY ISSUE" AND CONCERNS ME, AS THIS COULD CAUSE A WRECK. THE TIRE PRESSUE MONITORING SYSTEM IS FAULTY, HONDA REPAIR FACILITIES
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: AUTOMOBILE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AT LOW SPEEDS, THIS LEAD TO NEAR COLLISION AT INTERSECTION AS THE CAR BECAME DISABLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, CAR REQUIRED MULTIPLE RESTARTS TO SAFELY GET IT INTO A AUTOMOBILE SERVICE STATION; HONDA ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE DISPATCHED A TOW TRUCK AND VEHICLE WAS TAK
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA HR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A DEEP LINE ON THE ROTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Honda dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)