2016 Honda CR-V
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 393 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 26 CR-V model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 40 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 36 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpDec 18, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Campaign 23V858000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineMay 4, 2017
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.
The reduced performance may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KF6.
Campaign 17V305000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleOct 29, 2015
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.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Honda'a number for this recall is JV9.
Campaign 15V714000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
393 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 7, 2023
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. You can't use the AC on a hot summer, I regret every single day in my life buying a Honda. It was my dream car but I got a lemon. I need help because I'm stuck with this piece of work. I'm not willing to spend a dime more because I am the only owner who drives this vehicle since the day I bought it, I barely drive it because I want it to last long enough so I can enjoy my investment but as I said previously, at 62,000 the vehicle is completely useless. I found out from an OBD port sensor reporting that this vehicle was built with the wrong engine components, therefore it should be replaced. I want someone to conduct an investigation and take necessary action against Honda Motor Co. for what they've done to many consumers out there. I feel embarrassed to talk about this. I even overpaid for this junk and now I'm stuck with it. And I'm not the only one going through this.
Engine, Sep 6, 2023
Car shuts down intermittently after coming to a complete stop and accelerating to continue. It's shutting down in the middle of traffic, which makes for a very dangerous situation for my self, my child (which has witnessed it turn off) and for other drivers approaching my stopped vehicle in the middle of the road, this is very scary and my fear is that one day I won't be able to restart my car on time/in a split second to move it out of traffic quickly and will cause a very bad accident due to this shutting off. It has also shut off while at an incline a few times, which again is very nerve racking, to the point where I stopped using it, though it's my only means of transportation to work prior to dropping my child off for school. NO warning lights or messages have been noticed on the car. I have not had time or money to take it to dealership, only local mechanic which says they can't find any problem, I still have a car loan to pay and other financial obligations. It can be ready for inspection if needed.
Engine, Sep 6, 2023
I have a 2016 honda crv with a 1.5 turbo engine with 23,000 miles.I am getting fuel in the oil,and this is happening to all 1.5 engines. China will not let honda sell this engine.There is a class action lawsuit in California people cannot file for other states.My garage smells gas very bad.When I drive I have to let my front windows down and what will I do in winter I live in Missouri. my engine life span will be really short because the engine has fuel in it the main and rod bearings will fail. fuel vapors will bring on some kind of illness in the cabin.My name is [XXX] my address is [XXX] my phone number is [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 28, 2023
8/24/2023 Che External Help Search... Shrink Deploy Date is: September 04, 2023 Deploy Version is: release/3.0.00-1 To Do Item: 19565 Review VOQs at Level 2 VOQs (90) Disposition Code Id: Equal to Level 2 Review, Owner Assigned: Equal to LEMEOLA KAMANYA All Export Full VOQ Detail (Records from 1 to 90 ) 1 of 1 VOQ Detail 11541251 Advance to Next when Save Incident Consumer Product (1) *Description: ck engine light came on early a.m. went to work, vehicle would barely go stalling on got up to 20 mph, got off work at 5 p.m. no check engine light on! Creeped and crawled w check engine light on to I26 W to exit onto 52 connector only made it to the 55 mph sign couldn’t make it to Stokes Honda North had to be towed! Diagnosed next day cylinder 3 misfire along with several other maintenance issues that needed to be done! 8/25/2023 told vehicle was repaired picked up around 3:30-3:44 after paying them almost $1300.00 drove 8 miles headed home check engine light comes on again and creeping and crawling in 45 mph traffic made it back to Stokes Honda North, mechanic said it was fine I told them No Is was not, so he decided to drive it home! Later on Friday I got a call stating they did another diagnostic test and said cylinder 3 misfiring still and now it’s the fuel injector so Honda Company what is going on with the Honda engines? I know feel unsafe with this vehicle! I see there are numerous complaints about this issue! Also the mechanic had to press the accelerator hard to get it to go, I was doing that already too, press the brake check engine light would go off and come back on when you press the accelerator to go! Very DANGEROUS, I AM ASKING FOR A SAFETY RECALL
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 21, 2023
Car is stalling and won’t accelerate over 45 mph.
Vehicle speed control, Air bags, Aug 2, 2023, crash
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.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 20, 2023
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
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 26, 2023
Multiple times I have gone to pull out onto a road and the car has hesitated and actually stalled a few times almost causing me to be hit. Starting in 2021. Around 70,000 miles the Check Engine light came on saying Emission Control problem and went off. Around this time it all began. At 80,000 miles it would cycle on and off intermittently "check engine" and they told me it was the Catalytic Convertor which i replaced at over $2,000 dollars in cost.. I still have the issue. Honda is hiding a problem and there are articles saying its the O2 and MAF sensors. causing these issues and the software also. Talking to a local repair shop he said I was the third Honda CRV he has seen this month. Hesitation, Stalling, Clogged Catalytic Converters?? , Acceleration not happening when you step on the gas pedal. I am not alone with this problem.
Power train, Jun 15, 2023
My car began stalling in the middle of driving. Multiple warning lights came on the dash and have continued to stay on. It struggles to go up hills as well as going over approximately 40MPH. It seems to be unable to shift gears
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 29, 2023
I was driving on the Interstate when my car suddenly lost power and I was put in an unsafe position of trying to get my car into the emergency lane. The warning lamps flashed on the dash and in particular the engine light., The car dropped speed from 70 to 20 mph and would not accelerate. Upon trying to accelerate the engine made a loud noise and would not accelerate. I had it towed and the car corrected from limp mode but I still don’t know if it will reoccur. I’ve had it looked at by my dealer and was told the car went into limp mode but they said they couldn’t pinpoint why. my car is available to be inspected.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 27, 2023
I have a 2016 Honda CRV EXL. I have been trying to find out information on why my locks are not working. Most of the time the back door locks and the hatch/rear tailgate do not unlock. The tailgate will unlock only when I touch the door but not with the key fob. Every time I have taken the car to be looked at it doesn't have the issue that they can find so I feel CRAZY! Then I drive home and again the locks will not lock or unlock so I have to reach in and unlock or lock them manually. I saw that there was an issue with 2007-2011 CRV's and a class action law suite. I just want my stupid car fixed.
Wheels, Other or unspecified, May 6, 2023
I have been told that my front wheel hub bearings are going bad. My vehicle only has 31,000 miles on it and from what I understand, this issue should not occur until about 100,000 and is not an expensive repair. I did do some on-line researh, and Honda does seem to have an issue with this--although with a different model. I have contacted Honda and asked for some assistance--i.e., a free service at a dealer to determine exactly what the problem is, but they are not accepting any responsibility at this time. I am afraid that I will get stuck on the highway or it could cause an accident if the wheel is totally compromised.
Power train, Feb 27, 2023
CVT Transmission while driving 55 or over starts changing to neutral then drive then reverse which jerks the heck out of you a continues. It also vibrates in park. Driving under 45mph it doesn’t happen. We were on the interstate and had to pull over. This is scary since I’m a single woman on the road. I have read that thousands of other owners of certain years with the CVT transmission have had the same problems. This should be a recall!!!
Air bags, Jan 2, 2023
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, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Power train, Dec 1, 2022, crash
This safety issue was not revealed to me at purchase. Vehicle is a push button start and stop and does not have an electronic parking break. Vehicle can be turned off while in Drive, however the gear train does not remain engaged. INCIDENT: The car was moved by my husband who does not drive the car and is accustom to driving a keyed vehicle with ignition interlock. He is also hard of hearing and did not hear quite beeping. When he moved the vehicle driving the car to the inclined driveway, he turned car off using the push button without putting the car in PARK. The car remained motionless until he opened the door and got out. The car began to roll backwards where the door knocked him down and ran over his foot. My husband sustained minor injury. However the car continued to roll about 50 feet before colliding into a stand of trees before it was stopped. The car sustained significant rear end damage. This is a SAFETY issue. I called American Honda to report this issue. They claimed they knew nothing of the above stated design problem and suggested I take the vehicle into the dealership for a diagnostic. I did and Serra Honda of Brighton ran a diagnostic and reported :That the car can be turned off while in drive and that the car does not have any system that will prevent the car from moving if the car is not in Park. The car is operating as designed and will roll if not in park. My complaint #at American Honda is case #[XXX]. There are many reports on the internet concerning Honda CRV, Civic and Accord, for certain models and years that have this problem. There should be a recall to correct this obvious safety in design issue. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 27, 2022
These cars have had this problem for years according to an independent Honda garage. Wife complained the car wouldn't accelerate when the accelerator pedal was mashed. I thought it was a mistake she had caused. A week or so later, I experienced the same issue. I mashed the gas, entered a 4 lane 45 mph street & the car wouldn't accelerate. With cars bearing down, I don't know what I did, but managed to finally get the car to move. I've taught defensive driver training, road raced in SCCA & have well over a million miles behind the wheel, NEVER have I had this occur before. I'd heard of unintended acceleration, but I had just experienced non-intended acceleration. I talked to 4 different Honda service writers at different dealers, none admitted being aware of this problem. After multiple occurrences of the same issue, I went into an independent Honda garage, started explaining what had happened. The owner's wife came out from behind her desk, picked up 1 of 5 boxes on the counter & said, "This is your problem & why we keep this many cause it's a common & frequent problem," The box contained an Accelerator Position Sensor. She explained it is a common problem with Honda vehicles equipped with these position sensors. I've reported this problem before & wrote a letter to Honda America. I haven't heard of a resolution to replace these defective electronic sensors. If someone with my experience is almost hit by oncoming vehicles due to these defective accelerator position sensors, I wonder how many people have been injured or killed because their Honda would not accelerate when needed. It is something NHTSA needs to investigate. Enlist independent garages to determine how much of a problem these sensors pose, dealerships are not viable responders As a result of this continuing problem, we wanted to get rid of the vehicle, had an opportunity to sell the vehicle & did.
Structure, Nov 3, 2022
The factory paint (white) is peeling off the back of the car.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 31, 2022
I have experienced either failure to gain speed or sudden acceleration burst when I accelerate step by step from around 30 to 40 miles/hr or 40 to 50 miles/hr.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 12, 2022
Car will shut off when still cold or at a complete stop and then when you press the gas to accelerate either the car will shut off and stall or will not go anywhere. Usually when that happens I put car in neutral and drive to go or put it on neutral rev it a few times then I can either drive or reverse. Already had this car serviced last year at the dealership was told faulty fuel injectors. Car drove good for about a year and now back to either stalls or doesn’t move. Really frustrating and a potential hazard especially when trying to make a left turn or right turn and stalls or doesn’t move.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 6, 2022
Was fine yesterday. Went out this morning and went to back up and realized I couldn’t see out the rear window. Looked and the entire window is shattered. Cracks on bottom and sides. Nobody touched the car overnight in my yard. Have to pay $250 to Safelite this Saturday.
Other or unspecified, Sep 29, 2022
Another problem that has been reported with the Honda CR-V and HR-V is poor paint quality. The paint may chip, fade, or peel prematurely, especially on exposed areas such as the hood and roof. This can be a cosmetic issue, but it can also lead to rusting and other damage. Went to the Honda in Valley Stream NY and was told by the service manager that because I did not have my car serviced at their dealership, they would not take care of the painting issue. When questioned why they stated that they have a "Good Will" policy which would have covered the paint defect had I serviced it there. When I purchased the vehicle, I was never informed of such a policy. They recommend that I bring the vehicle to their collision specialist who stated "this is a known defect," and that he can not do anything without authorization. https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/41685/honda/cr-v/2016-cr-v-model-paint-peel-off-issue
Electrical system, Sep 3, 2022
Engine starting problem, for 3 weeks I would push the start button and the engine would not start on the first, second, third or fourth try. Finally the engine would start. I took the car to the dealer for repair and they told me the starter solenoid was falling apart mechanically. The dealer replaced the starter/solenoid assy and now there is no trouble starting. I have 45000 miles on the car and this should not have happened. I have owned many cars over the years and have never had a solenoid come apart on a starter. This is a serious defect and the dealer says it happens a lot on these Honda cars. I still had to pay $956.00 to get the car repaired.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 30, 2022, crash
I reported engine stalling after purchasing my 2016 in 2018 they serviced it and never fixed the issue I am wondering if that was issue in my accident
Service brakes, Jul 20, 2022
This isn't related to an accident. This issue is about the rear brakes on my 2016 Honda CR-V. I currently have only 22,275 miles approx. on this vehicle but I'm told that I need to replace the rear brakes for frozen calipers once again. The rear brakes and calipers first presented a problem in July 2018 when the rear brake pads and calipers were repaired due to being frozen and also a bent caliper pin. This was at 9879 miles. Now 4 years later I'm told that once again the calipers have frozen (22,275 miles) and they and the rear pads have to be fixed again. Is this a problem inherent to this vehicle alone or have you found other CR-V's with this isssue either just 2016's or all CR-V's?
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 6, 2022
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. The manufacturer was notified but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 74,879.