2016 Honda HR-V: CVT failure

Filed Nov 6, 2026 · Transmission · 132,972 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2016 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer, but the dealer was unable to duplicate or diagnose the failure. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning. The driver safely maneuvered the vehicle to the shoulder of the highway with the assistance of another motorist, and the vehicle was towed to the residence. Upon further research, the owner discovered Technical Service Bulletin: 21-047. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, who diagnosed a failure with CVT transmission, but stated that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered financial assistance in repairing the vehicle. The failure mileage was 132,972.

Filed Oct 12, 2026 · Transmission · OR

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. A diagnostic scan of the vehicle's OBD-II system revealed error code P271E, which indicates Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) steel belt deterioration. This is a known, documented engineering defect with the metal drive belt fracturing inside the transmission, as outlined in Honda's official Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 21-047. Because the vehicle completely loses propulsion without warning in live traffic due to a known manufacturing flaw, this constitutes an extreme, life-threatening safety hazard. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this component failure, as the current time-limited warranty extension does not adequately protect owners from sudden, dangerous highway failures of this defective drivetrain.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Transmission · TX

CVT has gone into safety/limp mode. June 7 2026 First sign was the EPB not releasing. Became drivable after warm up period. Replaced EPB switch and vehicle drove normally. There was still a parking brake caution light. On July 12, 2026 the issue repeated. This time the check engine light and transmission light have come on. Had it diagnosed at a mechanic and they found transmission codes: P0717 – Input/Turbine Speed Sensor "A" Circuit No Signal P0843 – Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch "A" Circuit High P0796 – Pressure Control Solenoid "C" Performance or Stuck OFF P0717 – CVT Input Shaft (Drive Pulley) Speed Sensor "A" Circuit No Signal ABS Module Codes: 83-16 – Malfunction of Shift Position Signal 83-14 – Malfunction of Electric Parking Brake System Electric Parking Brake Module Codes: U0401-68 – Invalid Data Received from Powertrain Control Module (PCM) U0402-68 – Invalid Data Received from Transmission Control Module (TCM) CVT and rear diff fluid appear dirty and burned. Apparently there was a TSB issued that extended the CVT warranty to 7 years or 150,000 miles. We did not receive that notice. We purchased the vehicle used from Honda in 2019. Currently has a total of 39,831 miles. Mechanic is recommending replacement of CVT system for approximately $11,000. The value of the vehicle with repairs is only about $14,000 We were lucky that this occurred parked at our house. Had it occurred while driving, it would have caused immediate stop in traffic with no brake lights lit. Honda knew there was an issue with the CVT drive belt and the PCM. Honda really should have made the effort to communicate this issue to customers and extend the warranty based on mileage rather than years of service. Needing a new CVT at less than 40K miles of light driving is not reasonable wear and tear. Unfortunately, this has likely ended our 40 year history of purchasing Honda autos.

Filed Apr 25, 2026 · TX

Full catastrophic failure of the CVT belt in the transmission, a known issue that honda had an extended warranty for for up to 150k miles and or 7 years from purchase (that letter was never mailed to my house, it was found after the fact while looking for the title at a family memeber's house. The CVT belt failed at 189,837 miles at highway speed of 80 MPH as posted on texas hwy130 which posed a huge safety risk due to this hwy's speed, and heavy tractor trailer routes with no warning, this was not due to wear and tear, the 2016 honda hrv is known for this issue. Took it to honda in round rock, tx, where they confirmed via diagnostic testing it was in fact the defcet known, but honda corp refused any type of goodwill assistance given its "too far outside the warranty" (the whole point of a goodwill exception is being outside the parameters) my family has owned hondas for over 25 years, and they disregarded the brand loyalty completly.

Filed Feb 26, 2026 · PA

Hello, I am reaching out with extreme dissatisfaction of my recently purchased 2016 Honda HR-V. This car was part of the extended warranty via service bulletin 21-046 Warranty Extension: 2016-20 HR-V CVT Premature Belt Deterioration. My car has been cared for extremely closely, and we planned to be a Honda customer for life up until this past week. On [XXX], my wife and I were driving on the highway when all of a sudden the entire dashboard lit up with warning signals and went into "Limp" mode. We were able to get off the highway, although it induced GREAT stress as we did so. Upon taking it to the Honda Dealership (Fred Beans of Abington), we were told the CVT has failed and would cost an estimated $8,400 to repair. The car is 9 years and 3 months old, with 117,000 miles. We submitted a goodwill request through Honda Americas where the Honda team came back and stated that the car is outside of the timeline and denied our claim. I spoke to Jocelyn and she was pleasant while delivering extremely upsetting news. I am not disputing the fact that the extended warranty clearly states 7 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. I am disputing the fact that Honda has basically admitted that the CVT will fail early, and if you don't drive as much as Honda deems "average", then you are [XXX]. The extended warranty should be up to 150,000 miles, period. We are a one car household and are now basically stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to decide what to do. This car is effectively totaled even though we conducted regular maintenance. I am appealing to your better judgement to re-open our case and get somebody else to re-evaluate the circumstances. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 28, 2026 · Transmission · CA

The transmission seized while driving no lights no warnings. I could have been killed so could other people! when no lights no check engine light or service lights are on. And your car is properly maintained there should be no reason the transmission should just seize while Driving with no warning shame on Honda shame on everyone who lets them get away with putting peoples life’s endanger. CVT transmission are not safe or the engineers have failed my lights all work too and still have no check engine light on. Car is totally underivable no lights nothing.

Filed Jan 24, 2026 · Transmission · OH

The CVT transmission, which is part of the vehicle’s powertrain system, experienced a premature failure. The vehicle became inoperable and was in an unsafe location, so the police had to tow it. I am not sure if a police report was issued. The tow resulted in extensive impound fees. The transmission is available for inspection upon request. The failure caused loss of power and unpredictable operation, making the vehicle unsafe to drive, especially in traffic. This created a risk of collision to myself, my passengers, and other motorists. The problem has been diagnosed and confirmed by a Honda dealership, which determined the transmission has failed and that the vehicle is not safe to operate. The vehicle has been inspected by a Honda dealership, and the manufacturer has been notified through Honda Customer Relations. There were no warning lights or messages prior to the failure. The transmission failed suddenly and without warning. The exact date of the failure is 01/15/2026 and it happened at 105,000. I’ve only had the car 10 months and started with 93,853.

Filed Dec 17, 2025 · Transmission · NJ

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. Despite multiple communications, Honda has denied goodwill or warranty assistance solely based on warranty expiration, without addressing the documented defect or the safety implications. I specifically requested that Honda provide a written explanation detailing the technical basis for denying coverage on this safety-related failure. Honda has not provided any written denial or defect analysis. I am submitting this complaint to ensure the incident and defect are formally documented for safety review. Case #: 16018708

Filed Oct 24, 2025 · Transmission · MN

Belt inside CVT transmission has failed. Numerous broken shards of metal in fluid and surrounding parts. Cost to replace $7,500 avg.

Filed Apr 18, 2025 · Transmission · NC

On or about June of 2024 my vehicle just lost power and was in limp mode. Took it to the dealership. Said there was a recall on a computer program for the cvt transmission that needed updating so the transmission wouldn't break. They did the recall but transmission was already broke. I bought the car July 2023 and was unaware of any issues or recalls and didn't receive nothing in the mail to advise if a recall to prevent the cvt transmission from breaking. I'm still paying on the car and can't drive it because the cvt transmission is broke from a recall that was not fixed and I didn't get anything letting me know to get it fixed. Said the recall would fix a broke transmission under 7 years or 150000 miles. Well the car was 1 year over but I was never aware of a recall and didn't receive any notice of a recall.

Filed Jan 30, 2025 · Transmission · 115,476 miles · PA

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 pride myself on the regular maintenance of my vehicles and keep meticulous records, and while I waited on the diagnosis, I found the records on the steps taken to address this problem: -Notification from Honda about the extended warranty (10 years, 150k miles) in 2021 -Software update was performed on July 22nd, 2021 to update the PCM software to warn of premature CVT belt deterioration. From the Service Bulletin 21-046, “DTC P271E is added so at the early stages of a CVT primary belt failure, the D light will flash, the MIL will come on, and engine power output will be reduced. This will lessen the chances of an unexpected, sudden loss of acceleration and allow the customer an opportunity to get the vehicle to a Honda dealer”. The service tech told me the CVT belt had snapped, destroying the transmission, just as the service bulletin had forewarned. During this incident, there was NO indication that my transmission was going bad - no MIL light, no flashing D light, no slippage, no reduction of engine power, or verbal warning when my car was serviced last. The software update that was intended to warn me of this very occurrence failed miserably.

Filed Aug 19, 2024 · Transmission · MN

I purchases my 2016 Honda HRV in 2019, used from . On [XXX] driving home my cars lights started lighting up like a Xmas tress and it sounded like something was wrong with my transmission. After bringing it to a local mechanic in Hopkins, they stated it was a CVT transmission issue and it would need to go to a Honda dealership, so we brought it to Luther Hopkins Honda. During this time my husband and I did some research on the transmission for the 2016-2020 Honda HRV's, and apparently starting in June of 2021, a bulletin and recall was sent out specifically pertaining to this issue of early deterioration of the CVT drive belt, they extended the warranty to 7 years/150k, whichever comes first. There was a software update that should have been done, and also if the belt did fail they would fix the issue. I NEVER received any of these bulletins or recall notices in the mail. My car IS registered. When I previously owned a Ford I got recall notices all the time. Luther Hopkins Honda (Andres Decaroli) on 8/13 said YES the transmission problem with my car is due to the CVT recall/issue, but because my car was 1 year out of the extended warranty Honda may not fix the transmission. Which out of pocket would cost me $8600! The next day Wednesday [XXX], a service director named Caroline texted me stating they sent the request to Honda, and hope to hear something Wed night or Thurs, and they will "fight the good fight for you". I never did hear anything on Wed or Thurs, and on Friday I texted her and tried to call her to get any info, and each time it went to her VM. I also tried to get in contact with Andres as well with no luck, Friday night I left a message prior to them closing with a manager named Michelle. NO one called me back. On Saturday 8/17 I called AGAIN demanded someone call me back to give me some form of update. Finally a manager named Justin called me, and stated that Caroline was out on Friday (no one told us this). I want Honda to honor the recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF I