2016 Honda CR-V

January 10, 2026, 11:08 AM

LincolnSixEcho

2016 Honda CR-V

So I am looking for a car for my daughter and have narrowed it down to the Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4. I’ve been looking at the mid to late 20 teens as the used cars hold their value so much that a model only a couple years old is way out of the question at this point. I’ve always heard that these are great cars and I have owned other Hondas and Toyotas in the past, but is there anything with the 2016 Honda CRV that were known issues? Is it a year to avoid for this line or are they all good to go from this time span?

January 10, 2026, 11:16 AM

sourdough44

The 2.0 liter engine in that year should be bulletproof. In 2017 they started with turbocharging.

January 10, 2026, 11:18 AM

6guns

I had a 2014 that I was very happy with. Before that I had a 2006 and currently drive a 2020. You could say I'm a fan. I would imagine the Toyota RAV4 is also a good choice.

January 10, 2026, 11:21 AM

rangeme101

Would want to know if the motors are chain or belt driven. Belts need to be changed at 60-100k intervals. I know the Honda V6 is a belt and we change it every 100K on a Pilot we have 270k on. Some of the 4cyl went from belt to chain but I'm not sure what years. I know for Honda fluid changes are a big deal. The more service records the better. I would count on changing any fluids with either vehicle and look into it's cost and if your a DIY guy if it's something you can do. So belts, hoses, filters, fluids and spark plugs. Make sure they will pass smog if that's a requirement where you live. And how easy a cat or O2 sensor is to replace. Most 4cyl are pretty easy to work on. Again on the Pilot all that is very simple. Other items would be condition of fluids, CV boots torn and leaks. Also you can look up some Honda/Toyota forums and see for those yr models what folks seem to asking to repair more often. But either should be good unless one is known for say like bad transmissions or head gasket issues. Oh also see if they mention HVAC issues like heater cores, blend doors, condenser leaks. I might be in this same boat later in the year.

January 10, 2026, 09:08 PM

LincolnSixEcho

I drove one that I was looking at today at the local dealership, who had it on trade. It needs new tires and an alignment as it pulls severely to the right. The woman that traded it in must not have kept up with the rotations. Other than that, it drove OK. It seems to have a little bit of rumble at idle which I’m not sure as normal or not. They pulled the VIN number and it didn’t have any recalls outstanding. It’s only got 86,000 miles on it so not too bad for a 10 year-old car. I’m gonna head back sometime this next week and re-test drive it after they put some new tires on it and align it more properly.

January 10, 2026, 10:03 PM

Greymann

16-17 crv had some fuel injector issues. (Manufacturer defects)

Honda extended the warranty on injectors to 10 years.

Do a search.

My daughter has a 2020 its been perfect until recently. I think it's a software issue,

January 11, 2026, 12:06 AM

jimb888

2015 cr-v owner here. Sold it at 162,000 miles with nothing but routine mainanence (I always did routine mainenance myself, oil changes etc). Paid $20,000 new. Sold it to a kid moving to Utah for $9500. don't think he'll get 160,000 miles on his $9500 cost, but I really enjoyed the car. Much more than the new Suburu Forester that replaced it.

January 11, 2026, 05:31 AM

Ironmike57

I had a 2016 CRV that I got 439,000 miles before I sold it. I now have a 2021 CRV. I will probably buy another.

January 11, 2026, 06:52 AM

birddog1

quote:
Originally posted by Greymann:
16-17 crv had some fuel injector issues. (Manufacturer defects)

Honda extended the warranty on injectors to 10 years.

Do a search.

My daughter has a 2020 its been perfect until recently. I think it's a software issue,

I had a 2018 CRV with this issue, Honda said it wasn’t their problem - replaced fuel injectors, turbo charger (twice) and then the engine had to be replaced. So while my experience seems to be rare, I’m soured on Honda.

January 11, 2026, 07:15 AM

Powers77

If it has any electric seats make sure they are working properly.
We have one on an Odyssey that is failing that is going to cast almost $5000 to fix as you have to replace the whole seat. (according to Honda at least)
Frankly should have been fixed under warranty but again Honda disagreed.

January 11, 2026, 07:25 AM

bustabuddy

I inherited a 2016 CR-V 2 years ago with 5,000 miles on it. Little old lady who only went to church and the doctor in it. There have been zero issues with it so far. My spouse has a 2021 Pilot and the CR-V has much better acceleration, better gas mileage (27 around town) and a better suspension on my rough 1/2 mile driveway.

January 11, 2026, 08:24 AM

P250UA5

quote:
Originally posted by rangeme101:
Would want to know if the motors are chain or belt driven. Belts need to be changed at 60-100k intervals. I know the Honda V6 is a belt and we change it every 100K on a Pilot we have 270k on. Some of the 4cyl went from belt to chain but I'm not sure what years. I know for Honda fluid changes are a big deal. The more service records the better. I would count on changing any fluids with either vehicle and look into it's cost and if your a DIY guy if it's something you can do. So belts, hoses, filters, fluids and spark plugs. Make sure they will pass smog if that's a requirement where you live. And how easy a cat or O2 sensor is to replace. Most 4cyl are pretty easy to work on. Again on the Pilot all that is very simple. Other items would be condition of fluids, CV boots torn and leaks. Also you can look up some Honda/Toyota forums and see for those yr models what folks seem to asking to repair more often. But either should be good unless one is known for say like bad transmissions or head gasket issues. Oh also see if they mention HVAC issues like heater cores, blend doors, condenser leaks. I might be in this same boat later in the year.

Should be a K-series [K24] engine in the CRV, timing chain.

January 11, 2026, 08:24 AM

Bentonville

I purchased a 2016 CRV three years ago and love it after having it checked over thoroughly. It’s comfortable and reliable. It has a little more road noise than my 2018 and gets a little less gas mileage . Still, it’s a great vehicle with enough room in cargo area for us . I just plain love Hondas. My 2018 purchased new runs and looks like it did when I drove it off the lot . My 2001 Accord has 401000+ miles on it and honestly rides as good as when it was new. I follow all the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance.

January 11, 2026, 08:27 AM

Bassamatic

The wife had a 2017 Touring model, 1.5 litre with the turbo. It was a great car. She got well over 30 mpg the time she owned it. We traded it in on a 2025 Kia Sportage. There was nothing wrong with the Honda it was just time for a new vehicle.

We did look at trading it in on a new CR-V but the Touring model, with all the extras, only came as a Hybrid. How stupid is that? Even the Honda salesman we talked with complained about it. Said he could have sold a ton of them but nobody wanted the hybrid.

January 11, 2026, 08:59 AM

ridewv

I had a 2017 Rav and my friend has a 2018 CRV. Both are nice vehicles and if I were looking at used ones, rather than model, I'd choose the one that was in the best condition and fewest miles.
I feel the CRV might be just a little more "fun to drive" but it does not do quite as well on snow and ice.

January 11, 2026, 09:04 AM

220-9er

Both are great vehicles.
Others have mentioned the main issues. I'd just add the easy stuff anyone can do:

Look at the oil dipstick and check records as well as possible.
How old's the battery and tires? Both should have date codes.
Also pay for someone to put it on a lift for a quick look underneath.

The things you can see like oil filter, battery, tires, are they off brand or something you recognize a quality items?

January 11, 2026, 10:54 AM

P250UA5

Not sure if mentioned, but if AWD the early CRV rear diffs needed more frequent fluid changes than recommended by the OE

January 11, 2026, 11:03 AM

ArtieS

In 2015 Honda went from a 5 or 6 speed auto to a CVT.

I was told by a dealer that the 6 speed was preferable but got no details as to why. It may have been as simple as acceleration or passing power. I don't know.

It might be worth doing a bit of research on the issue.

"I vowed to myself to fight against evil more completely and more wholeheartedly than I ever did before. . . . That’s the only way to pay back part of that vast debt, to live up to and try to fulfill that tremendous obligation."

Alfred Hornik, Sunday, December 2, 1945 to his family, on his continuing duty to others for surviving WW II.

January 11, 2026, 11:36 AM

sig2392

Drove A 2009 Honda CRV until 2024 traded it a 240K miles and the dealer gave me stupid high value for it. They wanted the car in trade rather than a cash deal.

The car ran great. The only problems were the paint was pealing on the hood and trunk, a know issue for that year. The suspension needed work around 2000.

Honda Fixed the air under a technical warranty.
Because they had compressor problem that year.

Car always started and ran great.

January 11, 2026, 01:32 PM

ridewv

quote:
Originally posted by sig2392:

....Honda Fixed the air under a technical warranty.
Because they had compressor problem that year.

I forgot to mention in my post (a few above) that Barb's CVR air quit working 2 years ago. The dealer couldn't find the problem and just refilled it. That lasted until last summer when it quit putting out cold air again and they refilled it again. They quoted $780 to replace what they feel is the problem.