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).
The contact owns a 2016 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the engine revved loudly, and the vehicle started shuddering and decelerated unintendedly. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he continued driving; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond as needed while attempting to drive from a complete stop. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 21-047. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had exceeded the 7-year warranty period. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle would not accelerate past approximately 35MPH while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to the same local dealer on several occasions, where it was diagnosed as needing a battery, an unknown belt, and torque converter replacement. The vehicle was repaired at the consumer's expense. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer (Performance Kings Honda|9131 Fields Ertel Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249) where it was diagnosed with a Transmission failure related to NHTSA Campaign:10236086 (Power Train); however, the coverage had expired in 2023 or up to 150,000 miles. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 21-046. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 107,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle was unable to accelerate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing transmission and transfer case replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
When driving on the highway, my vehicle accelerated very suddenly despite me not having put additional pressure on the gas pedal, as I was at a cruising speed of about 65 mph. Immediately after accelerating, my vehicle began to quickly decelerate, so much so that I had to veer over to the shoulder so as not to cause a collision with other vehicles on the road. It decelerated despite my foot still pressing on the gas pedal. In addition, the lights on my dash lit up and some began flashing. I took my vehicle into the dealership to discover that the computer system required an update and my transmission belt had deteriorated so much that it needed to be replaced. I was assured by the dealership that I would not experience this issue again after these repairs had been made. Since then, I have taken my vehicle to the dealership with this same issue an additional 3 times. …
CVT transmission failure. It's important and unsafe when your vehicles stops in the middle of the road without any sign of warning. No power to move just completely stops running. This puts many lives in danger if it were to have happened in the middle of the highway, especially in contruction block off zones. I am sure Dealerships are aware of this issue. The dealership were the ones to inform me that my vehicle's CVT transmission belt deteriorated. No warning signs at all just complete stop and loss of power to run. Vehicle turns on without a problem but does not drive or move forward. I even did my oil transmission change and was not told some debris of metal was present at the moment of service. …
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 entering the highway when without warning, my car stopped moving. I hurriedly shifted into Park so I would not drift into the highway, and thankfully I was able to safely drift into the exit lane. I tried to troubleshoot by turning the engine off and shifting into neutral to move the car out of the way, but it was completely undrivable. At 115,000 miles, this came as a shock to me, as I purchased my first Honda because of its reliable reputation. I had recently gotten my anti-theft system repaired, as well as a state inspection at a local Honda dealership, and there was no indication that there was a problem with the transmission. I researched the issue and accessed my service records, and I found that the problem was with the CVT transmission and that I was not alone. …
I am submitting this complaint regarding a sudden and unsafe CVT transmission failure on my Honda vehicle. While driving, the vehicle began shaking violently, lost the ability to accelerate, and multiple warning indicators illuminated, including the check engine light. The vehicle was unable to be driven safely and had to be towed. A diagnostic inspection performed by an authorized Honda dealership confirmed CVT failure consistent with Honda Service Bulletin #21-047, including the presence of transmission belt material in the fluid. This failure mode is documented by Honda as a known manufacturing defect that can cause loss of power and drivability. I contacted Honda Corporate Customer Relations and opened a case on 12/3. …
Vehicle: 2016 Honda HR-V Approximate Mileage: 114,400 miles Incident Description: While driving at highway speeds on the freeway, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of motive power and dropped into an emergency "limp mode." The vehicle suddenly refused to accelerate and could not maintain highway speeds, forcing me to navigate across active lanes of traffic to the shoulder to avoid being rear-ended. My minor child was present in the vehicle during these instances. This dangerous event has occurred twice, both times on high-speed roadways, presenting an immediate and severe risk of a high-speed collision to myself, my child, and other motorists. This dangerous event has occurred twice, both times on high-speed roadways, presenting an immediate and severe risk of a high-speed collision to myself, my child, and other motorists. …
Transmission complaints in other HR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Honda HR-V?
NHTSA has 76 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2016 Honda HR-V, 31% of the model year's 243 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Honda HR-V transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
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.