Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Honda HR-V owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving on the interstate in cruise, the car engine started revving hard. My speed jumped up to 85mph. Then all of a sudden the vehicle jerked hard and I lost all acceleration. The car rapidly decelerated. Then, the power steering, check engine, vehicle stability assist, electric parking brake, and low tire pressure lights all came on. As well as the gear indicator was unable to show if I was in drive, park, or neutral. The vehicle became very sluggish and started stuttering I had to carefully navigate between other cars flying past me until I was able to get to the side of the road, I was almost hit 3 times, once by a semi-truck. Once I got it to the side of the road I was unable to get the car to move at all. The engine would rev but the car would not move. The car was towed to the local Honda dealer in Evansville, IN. …
I was driving the car home from work and all of the warning lights on the dashboard came on- the check engine light, tire pressure light, traction control light, brake warning light, and the park emergency brake light. The "park" sign and p/r/d light lights were flashing. The car would not accelerate past 35 miles without it kicking back. I was terrified to drive the car on the interstate due to the acceleration kick back. I had to take a longer route home. I prayed the entire way. I keep up with my car maintenance with oil changes, etc. I even had the transmission fluid changed one year prior to this event. I had no prior issues, messages, symptoms, or other problems with this car prior to this event. It happened suddenly. I took the car to the dealership who initially told me the issue was a p0793 sensor and then a week later informed me that I needed a new transmission. …
I have replaced my catalyst converter and my check engine light and parking brake light and the safety key light has turned on. The warranty on my vehicle was over the miles before they sent me the notice on the push start button key but I had issue with this before it had passed the warranty miles. The notice was sent to late after I went over. The other lights I had a auto parts hook up the machine and its indicating the engine control module (ECM) detects a catalytic converter problem, it might record DTC P0420, defined as "Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold." I am so fed up with this and bought my Honda new and never had issues with it until I bought this Honda HRV model. I love my care but if it wasn't for this.
I have had this car repaired and diagnosed by 5 different dealerships, I have had leak test done The check engine and parking brake light keep coming on with the word "park" flashing when I drive. The codes say purge valve which has been replaced 3 times!!! it also says fuel leak and they did a smoke test for a leak but nothing!! there is something faulty with this and it's only a matter of time before it reacts poorly while driving and kills someone. There are SEVERAL other people online dealing with the same issues for the 2016 Honda HRV there needs to be an investigation before someone dies from whatever is faulty in this system I have been complaining about this since 2021!!! it keeps coming back
The parking brake engages on and off when the car is turned off. There are 3 lights flashing -check engine light -the word "park" - the parking brake light I have had the code read and it says it is the evap canister purge valve which has already been replaced, the light went off temporarily and it's back on again. The transmission is noisy when accelerating. The purge valve keeps going bad for no apparent reason and the parking brake randomly engaging and disengaging when the car is turned off leads me to believe there is an issue overall with the build of the car. I am worried the emergency brake will engage when driving.
Driving smoothly 67 mph on 210 freeway in Azusa California car suddenly lost acceleration in heavy traffic..steered car 4 lanes over than exited off ramp. Car had some low acceleration all warning lights flashing on my dash..none made any indication what's wrong..had car towed to honda..said it was the transmission! Honda had recall before this..took it in..they adjusted it but when i got it back it was reving too high rpm at 65 mph took it back again and they said it was fine..i don't think so than this happened!
On two separate occasions during February this has occurred. While at a stop sign with the brake floored the engine revved and the car started to slowly inch forward. Later in the month, at a convenience store, before shifting into park the brake was thoroughly depressed and the engine once again revved and the car started to inch forward. It only stopped when I pushed on the brake with all my might. The car had had its yearly inspection in January.
Transmission failed. Left in heavy traffic with no way to move car. Yes, the vehicle has been inspected by Honda. No warnings before the failed transmission occurred. Sitting at stop light, when gas pedal depressed, no forward or backward movement.
I was never notified of the CVT Belt Software Update and now I have to replace my whole transmission. Very frustrating how I was not informed so I can try to update before it goes out and I'm stuck. How did this happen?
My wife and I purchased a new 2016 Honda hrv on oct.15.2016 from townsend Honda in tuscaloosa, alabama. The car spontaneously caught on fire while sitting on a concrete slab in our driveway on dec.24.2016 (odometer approximately 300 miles). Fire was in the engine compartment and got so hot it melted the vinyl siding on my home (about 30 feet away). Still looks like a new car everywhere rear of the engine, the front seats did not even burn, however, the vehicle burned beyond recognition forward of the passenger compartment. Tuscaloosa fire department got to our home and extinguished the fire in about 10 minutes. The fire was so fast spreading, both front tires exploded in the few minutes waiting for the fire department to arrive.
Engine complaints in other HR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2016 Honda HR-V?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Honda HR-V, 9% of the model year's 243 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Honda HR-V engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2016 Honda HR-V, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Honda HR-V engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 44% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 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.