Honda HR-V 2016 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls issued for the Honda HR-V 2016 and 241 complaints filed by owners. It has 31% more complaints than the average Honda HR-V from 2016–2025 (184 per year).
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a Honda HR-V 2016? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Honda HR-V 2016
Brakes (hydraulic)
NHTSA campaign 18V777000 · 2018-11-01
What happens
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."
Consequence
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Equipment and labels
NHTSA campaign 15V472000 · 2015-07-28
What happens
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."
Consequence
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
241 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
13 with a crash · 1 with a fire · 11 injuries
Most reported problems on the Honda HR-V 2016
- Powertrain and transmission: 75 (31% of complaints)
- Electrical system: 54 (22% of complaints)
- Engine: 23 (10% of complaints)
- Brakes: 23 (10% of complaints)
- Structure and body: 22 (9% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a Honda HR-V 2016
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- On the test drive, check for smooth shifts with no jerks, slipping or noises; check the transmission fluid condition.
- Test lights, windows, locks, the screen and dashboard warning lights; have trouble codes scanned.
- Start it cold, listen for noises, look for oil or coolant leaks and exhaust smoke.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Honda HR-V SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2016 Honda HR-V SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Honda HR-V recalls by year
- 2016 : 2 recalls · 241 complaints
- 2017 : 0 recalls · 123 complaints
- 2018 : 3 recalls · 158 complaints
- 2019 : 7 recalls · 236 complaints
- 2020 : 5 recalls · 84 complaints
- 2021 : 4 recalls · 63 complaints
- 2022 : 3 recalls · 88 complaints
- 2023 : 3 recalls · 687 complaints
- 2024 : 4 recalls · 109 complaints
- 2025 : 1 recall · 47 complaints
Guides for this check
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Honda HR-V 2016 have?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls issued for the Honda HR-V 2016. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the Honda HR-V 2016?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: powertrain and transmission (75 of 241 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 16, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).