Description of Safety Defect: This vehicle represents an immediate public safety hazard and total safety certification invalidation due to an unauthorized, mismatched engine model swap executed by Camelback Toyota Collision Center under Workfile ID: XXX. The facility utilized official manufacturer network credentials under a certified status to secure a premium repair contract, but secretly outsourced the vehicle. According to the shop's Final Bill (RO Number: XXX) and the corresponding parts supplier records (LKQ of Arizona Invoice No. XXX), the facility purchased a cheap, unserviced, recycled 2016 Honda HR-V base-model LX engine assembly (Engine VIN: [XXX]) for a raw cost of only $276.00. They forced this base LX block into my premium EX vehicle trim model (Vehicle VIN: [XXX]). The 8th character '5' on my vehicle's authentic VIN confirms an EX trim, while the 8th character '3' on the installed engine block confirms an incompatible LX trim. This intentional component mismatch caused severe, ongoing communication conflicts with the main vehicle computer modules while driving, causing total critical system failure that ultimately destroyed the transmission. Installing a completely incorrect engine model block compromises the vehicle's electrical configuration, onboard computer logic, and basic operational safety. The vehicle has been preserved intact as physical evidence of a dangerous corporate bait-and-switch scheme and gross negligence. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2016 Honda HR-V engine problems
23 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 66,135.
- owner complaints
- 23
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- typical mileage
- 66,135
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Honda HR-V engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Honda HR-V engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2016 Honda HR-V owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I press down on the gas pedal and it seems to not go. I have the transmission light, the parking light and brake lights on the dashboard
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
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.
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. The dealership said that the CVT transmission belt had shattered and that the transmission needed to be replaced. I asked them about the TSB Number: [XXX]. They stated that I am out of the 7-year / 150k mile extended warranty so it is going to cost $7,662 to replace it. The vehicle has only 72,000 on it. I could have been killed or severely injured when this happened on the interstate. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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 bought this car brand new, and it currently has 90,000 miles on it. Honda posted a bulletin in April 2021 they are aware that this make, and model has transmission issues, but because I am one year outside of the extended warranty, they are not willing to work with me.
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.
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?
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!
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.
Questions about the 2016 Honda HR-V engine
Does the 2016 Honda HR-V have engine problems?
Owners have filed 23 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Honda HR-V, 9% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2016 Honda HR-V engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 66,135 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Honda HR-V engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Honda HR-V have bad engine?
The Honda HR-V model years with the most engine complaints are 2016 (23 complaints), 2022 (19 complaints) and 2019 (17 complaints).
Other 2016 Honda HR-V problems
Transmission 76Electrical 57Brakes 25Body 22Acceleration 14Airbags 13Lights 10Seats 8Suspension 6Driver assistance 5Wheels 5Visibility 4Fuel system 3Steering 3Seat belts 2Tires 2
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2016 Honda HR-V?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history