Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 owns a 2016 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle started to independently accelerate. The contact had taken her foot off the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle was still accelerating. The contact depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle was still accelerating. The contact had not observed any warning lights being illuminated. The contact entered a parking lot and depressed the brake pedal with force due to the vehicle independently accelerating. The contact was able to stop and shifted the vehicle into park(P). The contact observed that the vehicle was still revving, and the RPM was rising with the engine was revving. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle several times and was finally able to drive the vehicle under normal operating conditions. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred. …
The contact owns a 2016 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed, there was an abnormal odor of smoke detected. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where they informed her the coolant had mixed with the CVT transmission fluid. The vehicle was diagnosed and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer where they informed contact the vehicle was working as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. While driving from the dealer, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence. …
Honda CRV E-XL bought in 2016 from Coral Springs Honda, FL and always maintained at Honda Dealership died on freeway on 08/06/2021 in approximately 5 years. When towed in nearest Firestone they routed to Honda as they suspect the coolant has breached into 4 cylinders. Honda Dealership (First Texas Honda Austin ) is quoting around $10000 for a new engine replacement for 3 - 4 grand for an older engine of similar miles. My question is does Honda engines typically dies at 50k mile marks. I trusted Honda to last for 200k plus. Does Honda need to instrospect the engines manufactured for 2016 CRVs. What went wrong to this engine does it requires Honda to recall 2016 Honda CRV as I would have met an accident due to my car dying all of sudden on a freeway. The car started giving fumes from AC vent and all the warning light flashed on the dashboard. …
The contact owns a 2016 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that on several occasions while stopped, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on several occasions however, the cause of the failure was not able to be duplicated on the first occasion. The contact stated that on the second occasion, the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the motor mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred a day later. The vehicle was then taken to the same dealer and the contact was informed that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred within approximately 14 hours. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2016 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward and stalled. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle was choking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle was difficult to start. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was due to a failure with the transmission. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that that he noticed white smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The smoke started to turn into thick gray smoke that entered the cabin of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed water pump failure which caused the drive belt to overheat. The contact was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 72,100
The contact's husband owns a 2016 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that she turned on the hazard lights. The contact then turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
I bought this car from Honda and I had to bring it back three times within the first 30 days for them to fix a window that was making a noise I also asked him if he could please take a look and drive my car because whenever I break or I'm trying to speed up my car seems to stall and the engine can't catch up and then all of a sudden it bucks forward of course they said they cannot find the issue they will call the manager and no one has ever called me back to fix this issue I looked up recalls I don't know if there is one on this vehicle or not but I need some help
On Sep 10 2020, when I drove the CR-V uphill on Crenshaw southbound near Indian Peak, it could not accelerate and get into "limp" mode. No engine light was on. Once I was able to use momentum to pull over, restarted the car, it was driving as normal. I drove it to the nearest Honda dealer and left with them for a week. They could reproduce the issue by driving exactly to the same spot. They investigated and replaced the whole tank of fuel, suspecting water in the gas tank. On Sep 19 2021, my husband was driving on Lancaster 14 north bound (uphill). The CR-V go into "limp" mode and could not accelerate. Engine light turned on soon after. He was able to cruise to the shoulder and restart the vehicle. Once it was restarted, the engine light turned off, the car could go again, and he drove and left it to the nearest dealer, they could not find any issue. …
I have submitted this complaint before. We sold the car rather than deal with a potential t-bone accident. When starting from a stop, as you would accelerate into a traffic lane the car without warning would suddenly act as if the key was turned off, ceasing to accelerate. Exiting our neighborhood onto a thoroughfare with typical 35-50 mph traffic, my wife & I both had frequent instances of this failure to accelerate or dead throttle response. With 50+ years of driving, 5 years of SCCA road racing, 5 years of teaching defensive driving, I'm still not sure what I've done to get the car to accelerate & avoid getting t-boned. Several Honda dealerships have acted as if this is an unknown situation/condition. Actually talked to 5 different Honda service writers who all denied that the problem existed. …
Related recalls
Engine
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Honda CR-V vehicles that recently received a replacement engine. The replacement engine may have been built with the wrong pistons, potentially affecting the engine's performance.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace the incorrect components, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017.
Engine complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2016 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 103 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Honda CR-V, 26% of the model year's 394 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system › pump (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Honda CR-V engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-305 (engine, May 4, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Honda CR-V engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 23,000 miles, and 52% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 3 fires and 4 injuries to engine & cooling 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.