While the small crossover provides a practical solution for the commuter, the 2016 model comes with a flurry of problems. The issues include a faulty start button, bad CVT, and brakes that may fail. The best year to consider is the 2021 model, which outgrew the earlier design flaws.
Key Points
- With only eight model years on the road, the Honda HR-V gives drivers an intelligent design, good fuel economy, and a solid reputation.
- The worst year for the Honda HR-V is 2016. Faulty programming for the transmission and a bad switch for the ignition resulted in extensive service campaigns and extended warranties.
- The flaws found in the early model also extend up to the 2020 model year, even though driver complaints continue to drop year after year.
- The 2021 Honda HR-V wins the award for the best year with no recalls, minimal reported problems, and is free of the earlier design flaws.
- Even the worst years of the small SUV stay in Top 10 lists for dependable and affordable compact cars.
The Honda HR-V is a Smart Small SUV Built for the Practically Minded with a 59 cu. ft. Flexible Cargo Area
If you are in search of a smaller SUV that features loads of smart design in a ride built for the practical commuter, the Honda HR-V may be just right for you. It first appeared on U.S. lots in 2015 and has enjoyed a growing fan base over the years.
The 141-horsepower four-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission do not deliver an athletic or quiet ride. Still, the interior looks and feels more upscale compared to other rides in the segment.
Best of all, its second-row Magic Seat adds flexibility to its maximum 59 cu. ft. of cargo space. Flip up the back seat to fit in taller items and recline the front passenger for longer ones.
Currently, there is just the first generation available to potential owners and the car consistently earns a Top 10 spot on the J.D. Power Small SUV list. But not every year of the compact car is equal to the next.
Badly Programmed CVT and Faulty Brake Caliper Coatings Earn 2016 Honda HR-V a Worst Year Award
The 2016 Honda HR-V stands out as the debut for the model, as well as the worst of its eight production years including 2022.
Even so, its two recalls and 140 complaints lodged with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration don’t indicate that this is a true lemon.
Both recalls are relatively minor. One applies to just 11,000 vehicles and requires the installation of a new tire information placard.
The coating permits too much heat to transfer into the brake fluid, resulting in air bubbles and poor brake performance. A new coating is applied, and the brakes are bled to restore function.
The problems that earn the 2016 Honda HR-V the badge of the worst year include a slipping continuously variable transmission and the smart key push-button start that doesn’t always work.
Owners started to report powertrain issues such as a total loss of power at highway speeds, a failure to accelerate, a wildly revving engine, and a generally noisy transmission. At the service center, they found the fill cap for the transmission fluid popped off.
In some cases, metal filings appeared during a fluid change. Finally, others experienced premature CVT belt failures.
Honda determined that faulty programming for the transmission control unit stood at the base of the problems.
The automaker issued a service bulletin to fix the problem. It also extended the warranty up to 150,000 miles or seven years in the 2016 to 2020 Honda HR-V. They expect the bad programming to negatively affect the durability of the CVT.
The manufacturer also extended the warranty for the smart key start/stop ignition switch up to nine years or 125,000 miles. Drivers reported that the button did not always close the ignition circuit. The service campaign to replace faulty switches applies to the 2016 to 2018 model years.
Poor Headlights and Uncomfortable Seats Add to the Problems
While the 2016 Honda HR-V earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety scored its headlights as Poor. Both low and high beams on the halogen reflector-type lamps only illuminate half the suggested range. The option for an improved headlight is not offered until the 2019 model year.
Shorter drivers find that the seats are extremely uncomfortable. The headrest pushes their head forward. Complaints of back pain, neck pain, and migraines are associated with the seat comments.
The 2016 Honda HR-V also scores as the worst year simply due to the higher number of complaints it accumulated. The problem reports drop by more than half in 2017. Even fewer complaints appear in 2018 and 2019. Meanwhile, sales numbers climbed. Honda sorted out some manufacturing problems over the years.
2021 Honda HR-V Scores the Best Year Title with Minimal Issues and None of the Earlier Problems
When you want to opt for the most reliable Honda HR-V, consider the 2021 model year. It sold over 137,000 units–the most of any year–and has no recalls and only five complaints at the NHTSA. It maintains its five-star overall safety rating, too.
The 2021 Honda HR-V represents the first year that is not included in any of the earlier service campaigns for the CVT, bad brake calipers, or sticking start switch. A refresh in 2019 means that headlights are also available that the IIHS finds Acceptable.
It offered buyers the option of adding autonomous emergency braking and it supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The 2021 did lose the Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS–which was granted to the 2020 model–because a new side-impact test lowered its final score. The poor rating was not due to any change in the car’s structure or safety systems.
So, while fans of the small SUV wait for the next generation of the Honda HR-V to arrive in 2023, the 2021 remains the best year for now.
Despite Some Serious Concerns for Early Years, Every Honda HR-V can be Considered a Smart Choice
Ultimately, if the Honda HR-V is on your shortlist, it is generally a good choice for a practical small SUV. Even the more problematic 2016 model year gathered minimal complaints. Still, Honda is keeping a close eye on the CVT and faulty start button.
But if you want to avoid those new model issues, the 2021 Honda HR-V gives you all the fuel economy, cargo capacity, and function you want without the headaches.
Photos: Honda
