AI Damage2016 Honda CR-V: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Honda CR-V filed 394 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and fuel/propulsion system. The maker issued 64 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 394
- involving a crash
- 40
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 64
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 26% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 16% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 7% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 101 complaints (26% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 65 complaints (16% of all).
- Electrical system: 64 complaints (16% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
- Powertrain: 45 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Air bags: 32 complaints (8% of all), 16 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- CVTnamed in 9 complaints
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 394 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 101 | 6 | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 65 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 64 | 5 | 12 |
| Powertrain | 45 | 1 | 10 |
| Air bags | 32 | 16 | 6 |
| Vehicle speed control | 28 | 13 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 19 | 9 | 0 |
| Steering | 17 | 2 | 1 |
| Structure | 17 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility | 14 | 0 | 4 |
| Wheels | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 9 | 0 | 3 |
| Fuel system | 7 | 0 | 11 |
| Seat belts | 7 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The driver and passenger were transported to an area hospital by EMT. The driver was treated for unspecified injuries to her head and lower back, while the passenger was treated for unspecified injuries to his head, neck, and lower…
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 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 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
I was sitting in the parking spot for a few minutes while waiting to pick someone up when I hear a strange noise come from the car, not even a second later my car suddenly accelerated on its own without me pressing the gas pedal or touching anything. I was completely caught off guard.
I bought this car from Honda and I had to bring it back three times within the first 30 days for them to fix a window that was making a noise I also asked him if he could please take a look and drive my car because whenever I break or I’m trying to speed up my car seems to stall and the engine can’t catch up and then…
Upon moving into a parking spot, I slowed down, and suddenly the car surged unbelievably fast. I ran into a brick wall about 4 or 5 feet in front of the car. No other people were around, but certainly, I was at risk. This problem has happened to me in this 2016 CRV, and in another CRV, 2015. Twice in the 2015.
The brake failed. Fortunately was able to avoid other parked cars and the car came to a stop in a ditch at the edge of the parking lot. The car may have traveled about 100 yds before coming to stop. The airbag was deployed and the damage to the front of the car may be extensive.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 151 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 7% most complained about).
On average one model year of the CR-V has 631 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 394, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Recall Information update
Service Bulletin NSS300 #2
- Fog Light Lenses look melted or discoloredf?- All models with fog lights affected vehicles
- Honda Job Aid - Tech Line Calling Guidelines Affected vehicles General Info
- Driver's Seat Bottom Cover material looks unfinished
- MIL Comes on with DTC P0335 AND/OR P0339
- Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator Collection - This bulletin has been cancelled because the collection is…
- Background American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 Accords & CR-Vs with evidence of fuel…
Background American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 Accords & CR-Vs with evidence of fuel leak from the fuel tank to the fuel pump connection. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is investigating certain 2016-2019 Accords, Civics, CR-Vs, Odysseys, Pilots & Ridgelines with a customer complaint of fuel smell or leak from the fuel tank area. To better understand the cause of this condition…
- Tech line summary article - If you get any vehicles coming in because the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS indicator…
Tech line summary article - If you get any vehicles coming in because the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS indicator is on after a recent tire replacement, the issue could be a mismatched tire. The original tires (CN5L) were…
- Servicenews article - Does the engine rattle at startup for about 1 to 3 seconds?
What?s happening is the lock pin inside the VTC actuator isn?t holding the actuator properly. This lets the vane turn within the housing, causing a short rattle at startup.
- Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is investigating certain 2012-2016 CR-Vs with a customer complaint of the front wiper motor inop completely or inop on certain speed setting. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to…
- Service bulletin - The water pump seized or the drive belt shredded
The water pump bearing is out of specification.
NHTSA lists 64 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Honda CR-V?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, fuel/propulsion system, electrical system. Total complaints: 394. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (13%), vibration (11%), stalls while driving (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA lists 64 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Honda CR-V from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.