Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Honda CR-V owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2016 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped at a red light, it was rear-ended by another vehicle traveling above the posted speed limit. As a result, the vehicle was sent careening 80 feet forward through the intersection before coming to a complete stop. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The driver and passenger were transported to an area hospital by EMT. The driver was treated for unspecified injuries to her head and lower back, while the passenger was treated for unspecified injuries to his head, neck, and lower back. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by insurance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000.
The contact owned a 2016 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH and attempting to avoid colliding with a second vehicle the driver lost control of the steering and crashed into a utility pole. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged but the air bag partially deployed and did not protect the driver. The contact sustained back and neck injuries which later required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 158,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking spot, she depressed the brake pedal, however, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly and crashed into the windows of a store. There was no warning light illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was then towed to an autobody repair shop to be repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
I was in a very low speed fender bender and hit the vehicle in front of me square in the tail end. The airbag needlessly deployed leaving me with a burn and disabled my vehicle. It was a collision that should have been driven away from after the exchange of information. Instead my vehicle which has very little damage required a tow truck die to the deployed airbag.
On 12/31/2022 When I started my 2016 Honda CRV EX the Passanger Airbag warning light came on, and stayed on while the car was running. This "Passanger Airbag" has never come on prior to this, and the owners manual says that if this light comes on- there is a possible problem with the Airbag. I will be following up with my dealer for a fix to this possible safety problem. Is this something Honda should cover, under the manufacturer warranty? Sincerely, [redacted]
Driver side and left back side airbags deployed while driving on the highway in the fast lane. No impact to the car occurred to lead this to happen. No damaged to the car occurred. No other vehicles were involved. Turned I hard turned the wheel and all left side window and driver seat airbags deployed. No warning or messages problem was seen prior to accident. Sustained a TBI as a result.
It was snowing day, I drove in a local road around 10mph. When facing with a curve, I hit the brake yet the snow cause the tail tilted to the curb. Three of the passenger side airbags exploded and no body damage was detected. I'm not sure if the speed was fast enough for the airbags to deployed.
I bought this car from Hillside Honda in Queens, NY in June 8th 2016. It was a floor model that I was told by the salesman I got a great deal on it and I found out later it wasn't true. Let me get to the point, I found out this car is a lemon car. From the frontal airbag to the engine, it's a complete nightmare. My focus is more on the engine itself. The vehicle vibrates too much, I keep this car well maintained. At 62,000 miles, I already changed the fuel pump, fuel injectors, spark plugs, ignition coil, the vehicle is still vibrating and dies while driving. I feel this is completely shocking. Never in my life in the last past decade, I never had any vehicle from 1993 to 2022 which I have this issue with. I reached out to many experienced mechanics, they all told me, this car wasn't built well. What else you need to change to make this car drivable. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Honda CR-v. The contact stated that while driving down a small mountain at 50 MPH, the contact heard a loud bang as her air bag deployed without incident. Due to the air bag hitting the top of the contact's head, she veered off right shoulder of the road and scraped the bottom oil pan of vehicle. Despite the failure, the contact was able regain control of the vehicle and drive home. Her daughter was contacted and she was taken to the hospital where she was treated for the cut to the top of her head. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and an investigator was sent to yreka motors(1545 s main st, yreka, ca 96097) to inspect the vehicle. The inspector determined that the yard sensor was hit at a thirty degree angle with caused the air bags to deploy. The vehicle was repaired by the dealer. The failure mileage was 36,000.
Honda CR-v 2016 touring vehicle travelling at 55 miles/hour on a 57 north freeway with a driver & passenger started pulling to the right (out of carpool lane), uncontrollable and erratic behavior. Immediately both front airbags (driver side & passenger side) and driver side side-airbags got deployed (curtain airbags). The driver tried to control and steer the vehicle towards the left curb/divider to avoid getting into incoming traffic to stop the vehicle. The vehicle hit the divider and took a 180 degree turn and stopped. Accident location: 57 north california, 1/2 mile from katella avenue vehicle condition: front both tires flattened, rear right tire flattened, front both airbags and driver side side-airbags deployed, vehicle front and side damaged
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
Airbag complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2016 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Honda CR-V, 8% of the model year's 394 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Honda CR-V airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-714 (inflator module, Oct 29, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Honda CR-V airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 47% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 16 crashes, 0 fires and 18 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.