2016 Honda HR-V transmission and drivetrain problems
74 of the 239 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Honda HR-V name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 14 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 74 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2015: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2019: 7 · 2020: 14 · 2021: 11 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 13 · 2024: 6 · 2025: 10 · 2026: 6
Half of the 34 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 69,000 and 99,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
239 complaints in all about the 2016 Honda HR-V, 6 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Honda HR-V transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
On 2/12/20, was accelerating to get onto highway when my car jerked and started losing speed. All kinds of lights started flashing on the dash. I was not in a safe place to pull over so I drove it until I could pull over safely. I could only go 40 MPH and the car was jerking.
2016 Hr-V on the third transmission - first one failed in late nov 2018 at 108k miles, second one failed in april 2019 after only 11k miles. Both times it failed while driving on the interstate - very dangerous.
Belt in CVT transmission broke at 80,000 miles, requiring complete replacement of transmission. Vehicle was driving down interstate when it occurred, and began jerking left and right
While driving the vehicle began to rev and acted as if it was no in gear, no power, it began to slow and when I stopped it would not change into any gear except park. The vehicle has 85,112 miles
I was driving my 2016 Honda Hr-V and started to lose power. Warning lights for brake system and engine, along with other lights came on. I was able to safely pull over. I was able to turn off and turn car on and warning lights on dashboard were still on, however I was not able to engage the car in either drive or reverse position.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications14 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- A21-047 Service bulletinFeb 20, 2025
- Service Bulletin - Due to the possibility of early deterioration of the Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) drive belt, American Honda is extending the warranty coverage on these CVT models to 7 years from the original date of purchase or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- A21-047 Service bulletinMay 3, 2023
- Service Bulletin - Due to the possibility of early deterioration of the Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) drive belt, American Honda is extending the warranty coverage on these CVT models to 7 years from the original date of purchase or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.
The 2 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 Honda HR-V names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Honda HR-V
Source: the same files- electrical problems 56 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2016 Honda HR-V?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 74 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (31% of everything owners filed about it), and 14 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2016 Honda HR-V?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 2 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2016 Honda HR-V?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 78,000 miles; half of them between 69,000 and 99,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.