2016 Honda HR-V: won't start

7 of the 244 complaints about the 2016 Honda HR-V describe won't start.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 43,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 9 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Won't start by model year

2022
6
2021
1
2020
3
2018
3
2017
1
2016
7

What owners say

Filed Feb 19, 2026 · Body, Electrical · CA

My vehicle suddenly developed electrical problems and would not start. Before it completely failed, I began seeing warning lights on the dashboard, including a PARK warning and an engine oil light. The vehicle had been operating normally earlier that day, but later became totally unresponsive. The doors would not unlock electronically and the car would not start. This happened after a period of heavy rain. When the vehicle was inspected by a Honda dealership, they found signs of long-term water intrusion and corrosion affecting electrical components and wiring. I later learned that the vehicle had previously been repaired for water intrusion through the rear hatch/tailgate area, which may have allowed moisture into the vehicle over time. The car is now inoperable. This raises safety concerns because electrical failures like this can lead to sudden loss of reliability, inability to start the vehicle when needed, or potential failure while driving. The issue has been confirmed by a dealership service department, and the vehicle remains unusable. I am concerned that water may be entering through the tailgate or rear hatch area and damaging electrical systems. I have also seen similar complaints involving water intrusion and electrical failures in this model.

Filed Nov 23, 2020 · Brakes, Electrical · 8,150 miles · NY

Today at 1:30pm the car completely stopped. When the car was turned on the lights and electronic panel was showing in yellow and flashed rapidly. The car completely stopped, but the lights and electronics kept flashing. The systems on the electronic panel kept flashing and the car will not start. One week ago, I noticed when I started the car, the car shook and the engine struggled to start, the lights on the electronic panel flashed but they stopped and I was able to drive it. This is the third time that I noticed the flashing lights, in addition, I noticed for a few months that during driving, the steering wheel has become more difficult to turn when I was making turns. It was as if the car had no wowed steering capabilities and it continued up to this point. Also, I noticed that the car drove as if it was losing its brakes. I'm sorely disappointed with this vehicle because it is fairly new with less than 8200 miles on it. I bought it for my retirement and now I think that it will become the early death of me. I noticed that there were recalls on this vehicle for these very issues and I need my car fixed asap.

Filed Sep 29, 2020 · Electrical · 86,000 miles · GA

A day ago, my son was stranded at our local walmart about 6 miles away at midnight. He got in the hrv and it would not start. I changed the battery and still no start. I had it towed to the honda dealership and they said it was the battery terminal which looks like it has fuses connected to it. The cost to replace the part is over $300. I just bought the car 60 days ago. My son could have been stranded 100 miles away from home because of a defect in the electrical battery terminal cables. I was told this happens frequently with the honda vehicles with this type of system. Yet there are no recalls or fixes. Honda just wants their customers to keep buying new cables???

Filed Sep 14, 2020 · Electrical · 68,000 miles · FL

When pressing the push start/stop ignition switch in my car , the car will not start nor stop the engine. Repeated pressing on the switch and the brake is required for the vehicle to start and stop.the faulty ignition switch sign has been coming on and off on my dashboard for the past 5-6 months. I have changed the car battery and the battery in my key fob in the last month hoping that this would solve the problem. It was diagnosed by the honda dealer on 09/12/20 that the problem lies with the push button ignition switch. Due to the tremendous demand for this switch this part is on back order, which points to the fact this is a manufacturing defect.

Filed Apr 13, 2020 · 43,000 miles · IL

Faulty start/stop switch had to replace at 48000 miles actually less the vehicle wouldn't start after several attempts and sometimes the vehicle would not shut off

Filed Sep 5, 2019 · 31,000 miles · IN

A light with a key on the dashboard started to appear at random and then it continued to stay on. At first the hrv was slow to respond to the start/stop button and then it either failed to respond or would not respond without multiple attempts. The hrv would not start at times or it could not be turned off. I changed the batteries in the key and that did not resolve the issue. I took the hrv in to honda dealership for service and was advised the start stop switch had to be replaced. I paid for the parts and labor quoted to replace the switch so that I could start and turn off my car. There is no other option. Grateful for the fix but at such low mileage this seems like faulty/defective switch issue, perhaps one already known to honda.

Filed Sep 14, 2017 · Electrical · 19,359 miles · FL

2016 hr-v I bought in nov 2015: 19,359 miles when the car didn't start, aaa started my car, tested the battery and stated it was good. Drove it to honda dealer, they ran a "multi-point inspection" and found nothing wrong. A employee, of honda, told me it's happened with a cr-v also.