According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2016 Honda City has 3 documented known issues, with 1 rated critical. The most serious is CVT Judder and Premature Transmission Failure ($600-$4,800 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $4,800. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
On the 2014-2019 Honda City, the CVT fitted to the sixth-generation City (Brazil, 2015+) and the India-market fourth-generation City (2014+) is a chronic complaint source. Owners report judder/shudder when pulling away from a stop, slipping and RPM flare under acceleration, whining noises, and in the worst cases complete loss of drive. Brazilian owners on Reclame Aqui and the automotive press (Vrum, Mobiauto) document failures from roughly 30,000 km onward, with an internal dealer bulletin reportedly acknowledging chronic CVT bearing problems on 2015 units; one 2019 City EXL suffered catastrophic failure just past 100,000 km. On Team-BHP, a 2016 City 1.5 CVT lost drive entirely at 56,500 km and the service center quoted approximately Rs 4 lakh (~USD 4,800) for a replacement gearbox. Brazilian dealer repair quotes above R$ 10,000-20,000 are common. The judder itself is widely attributed to starter-clutch contamination and degraded CVT fluid; Honda has historically extended CVT warranties in other markets for the same judder phenomenon.
Common Symptoms
Shudder or judder when accelerating from a stop
RPM flare or slipping feel under acceleration
Whining or grinding noise from the transmission
Harsh engagement or jerking at low speed
Sudden loss of drive while the car is moving
How to Fix
If judder appears early, a full CVT fluid exchange (Honda HCF-2/CVT-F, including filter where fitted) following Honda's flush protocol often resolves or delays the symptom — a simple drain-and-fill frequently does not. Persistent judder requires starter-clutch replacement; confirmed internal failures (belt/pulley/bearing damage) require a rebuilt or new CVT. Owners should change CVT fluid every 40,000 km or less (more often than the official schedule), avoid prolonged stop-and-go abuse while juddering, and press Honda for goodwill participation on low-mileage failures, which has been granted in documented cases.
On the 2015-2018 Honda City, honda City (and sister-model Fit) units from roughly 2015-2018 have a chronic failure of the starter motor brush holder (porta-escova). The brush holder wears prematurely, causing intermittent no-starts: the key is turned and nothing happens, or the engine only cranks after several attempts, typically appearing around 50,000 km — often just after the factory warranty expires. The problem is so widespread in Brazil that aftermarket suppliers sell dedicated brush-holder repair kits specifically for the 2015+ City/Fit/Civic/CR-V starter, and Brazilian outlets Vrum and Mobiauto both list it among the model's defining chronic defects, with recurring Reclame Aqui complaints and City Club forum threads describing the identical intermittent-crank pattern.
Common Symptoms
Turn the key and nothing happens — engine does not crank
Car starts only after several attempts
Intermittent slow or delayed cranking that worsens over time
Problem appears around 50,000 km, often just out of warranty
How to Fix
Replace the starter motor brush holder — repair kits cost roughly R$ 120-450 (USD 25-90) plus modest auto-electrician labor, far cheaper than the complete starter motor dealers quote at around R$ 1,400 (~USD 270). Because the failure is intermittent at first, owners should address it at the first sign of delayed cranking rather than waiting for a full no-start. Some owners have obtained goodwill assistance from Honda Brazil on low-mileage cases.
On the 2015-2018 Honda City, city (and Fit) units built from around 2015 onward in Brazil show premature rust spots and paint blistering, most characteristically on the hood's leading edge, often while the car is still nearly new. Vrum and Mobiauto both list hood rust among the model's chronic complaints, noting it frequently surfaces right after the corrosion warranty discussion begins, and dedicated owner-complaint blogs document City units with rust not only on the hood but also on door hinges and the metal panel behind the rear-seat backrest — areas dealers admitted receive no anti-rust treatment. In Brazil's hot, humid coastal climate the blistering progresses quickly. In many documented Fit/City cases, Honda analyzed the vehicle and authorized full hood replacement; other owners were denied once the warranty had lapsed.
Common Symptoms
Rust spots on the hood's leading edge
Paint bubbling or blistering on the hood while the car is still new
Rust on door hinges
Corrosion on the panel behind the rear seat backrest
How to Fix
Inspect the hood leading edge, door hinges, and rear-seat support panel regularly, and photograph any bubbling immediately. Within the corrosion warranty period, file a claim with a Honda dealer — documented precedent exists for free hood replacement after factory analysis. Out of warranty, repair requires sanding to bare metal, rust treatment, and repainting (or a replacement hood), roughly R$ 1,500-3,500. Applying cavity wax/anti-corrosion treatment to untreated internal panels is a worthwhile preventive measure in coastal regions.
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2016 Honda City has 3 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: CVT Judder and Premature Transmission Failure, Starter Motor Brush Holder Failure (Intermittent No-Start), Premature Hood Rust and Paint Blistering. Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Honda City reliable?
The 2016 Honda City has 3 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 1 issue is rated critical: CVT Judder and Premature Transmission Failure. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Honda City problems?
Repair costs for known Honda City issues range from $50 to $4,800, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, CVT Judder and Premature Transmission Failure, typically costs $600-$4,800 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2014-2019 Honda City CVT Judder and Premature Transmission Failure?
The CVT fitted to the sixth-generation City (Brazil, 2015+) and the India-market fourth-generation City (2014+) is a chronic complaint source. Owners report judder/shudder when pulling away from a stop, slipping and RPM flare under acceleration, whining noises, and in the worst c… Repairs typically run $600-$4,800. Severity: high.
What is the 2015-2018 Honda City Starter Motor Brush Holder Failure (Intermittent No-Start)?
Honda City (and sister-model Fit) units from roughly 2015-2018 have a chronic failure of the starter motor brush holder (porta-escova). The brush holder wears prematurely, causing intermittent no-starts: the key is turned and nothing happens, or the engine only cranks after sever… Repairs typically run $50-$300. Severity: medium.
What is the 2015-2018 Honda City Premature Hood Rust and Paint Blistering?
City (and Fit) units built from around 2015 onward in Brazil show premature rust spots and paint blistering, most characteristically on the hood's leading edge, often while the car is still nearly new. Vrum and Mobiauto both list hood rust among the model's chronic complaints, no… Repairs typically run $300-$800. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
