Research · Two Seaters

2016 Honda CR-ZRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints for the 2016 Honda CR-Z. Most complaints involve structure (1). The EPA rates it 33–36 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
33–36mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
2
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$1,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2016 Honda CR-Z as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2024 – May 2026
  1. Structure1
  2. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each CR-Z model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201138
20127
201311
20144
20156
20162
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

1 report
“My driver’s side door handle has broken. I have the broken handle if you need it. It’s a safety issue because it delays entering the car from the driver’s side, which could endanger an owner or a passenger who needs to get inside the vehicle. Apparently, this is a known problem in CR-Zs and is often blamed on the car being in a hot climate (spoiler alert: It’s getting hotter these days). My car had less than 75,000 miles on it at the time the handle broke. I have been driving since 1978, and I’ve never dealt with a broken handle before. I have had a local body shop install a new door handle; that one broke after a week of light use (driving once daily). These are expensive repairs, especially for a retired owner on a fixed income such as myself (the local Honda dealer quoted me $1,000 to replace the handle). There seemed to be no signs of a pending failure that I noticed; I just couldn’t open the driver’s door one day. PLEASE get Honda to recall and replace these faulty handles. I cannot afford $1,000 repair bill every week. (My previous vehicle was a 2008 Acura MDX that had no problems with the handles even after 15 years and 200,000 miles.)”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2024StructureODI 11605506
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Two Seaters
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S7) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CR-Z
Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
353836$1,800244
CR-Z
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
313733$1,950266
  • CR-Z
    Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    35 city · 38 hwy · $1,800/yr
    36
    mpg comb.
  • CR-Z
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    31 city · 37 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Honda CR-Z 3 HB FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
3 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 10172
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2016 CR-Z questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Honda CR-Z have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 30, 2026.

What are the most common 2016 Honda CR-Z problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Honda CR-Z get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Honda CR-Z at 33–36 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2016 Honda CR-Z?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Honda CR-Z 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026