P271E Early CVT primary belt wear warning on Honda HR-V CVTs

Honda P271E CVT primary belt deterioration

P271E in short

On the 2016-2020 Honda HR-V, P271E is Honda's warning of early CVT primary belt wear. The D light flashes, the check engine light comes on and power is cut so a sudden loss of acceleration is less likely. Take it to a Honda dealer soon; Honda has a software update, an inspection and an extended warranty.

Honda found that a wrong value in the engine computer could raise pressure on the CVT belt under some driving conditions and break it. To warn owners earlier, new software adds P271E as a monitored belt fault.

When P271E sets, the D light flashes, the check engine light comes on and the engine power is reduced. Honda says this lowers the chance of a sudden, unexpected loss of acceleration and lets the owner reach a dealer.

Bulletin A21-046 covers the software update and CVT inspection, and A21-047 extends the warranty on the drive belt to 7 years. Owners of 2016 HR-Vs report limp mode with the code and a failed CVT.

Pick your make

P271E is a manufacturer-specific code: its meaning depends on who built the car.

Other makes: meaning not verified. Check with a scan tool that reads manufacturer definitions.

Most likely causes

  1. Early CVT primary belt deterioration

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Honda adds P271E specifically to flag early primary belt failure on the HR-V CVT; only the bulletin summary and an excerpt were read, so the bulletin status is unverified.
    What would change this
    Rises if the code is set on a 2016-2020 HR-V with a flashing D light and reduced power. Falls if an inspection finds a sound belt.
    How to test the transmission control module (tcm)

  2. PCM software that needs the belt-protection update

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    A21-046 updates the PCM to reduce belt load; an owner says the update was done after the code appeared.
    What would change this
    Rises if the update has not been done. Falls if it is done and the code remains.
    How to test the transmission control module (tcm)

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Ask a Honda dealer to check your VIN for bulletin A21-046 and the warranty extension, and to inspect the CVT.

    Best left to a shop

    Warning:Belt inspection means opening the transmission; the dealer does it.

Symptoms

  • Flashing D light with the check engine light on Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Reduced engine power
  • Limp mode or loss of acceleration Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

Compare with: Check engine light with loss of power

How to fix

Parts and cost context

  • Transmission control module (TCM):The first step is a software update, which the dealer does under Honda's bulletin.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Honda

  • 2016–2020 · HR-V

    Supported by vehicle data

    Bulletins A21-046, A21-047 name P271E on the Honda Hr V. Honda prescribes a PCM update and CVT inspection or warranty coverage. Only the bulletin summary was read.

    Where it is:Inside the CVT

  • 2016 · HR-V

    Supported by vehicle data

    Owners of 2016 HR-Vs report limp mode, many dash lights and a failed CVT with P271E.

  • A21-046Status unverified

    Service Bulletin - An incorrect value in the PCM may cause a pressure problem in the CVT under certain

    2016–2020hr-v · issued · NHTSA 10191760

    Honda CVT bulletin that adds or relies on DTC P271E for early primary belt wear on the HR-V: a PCM software update with CVT inspection, or an extended warranty. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • A21-047Status unverified

    Service Bulletin - Due to the possibility of early deterioration of the Continuous Variable Transmission

    2016–2020hr-v · issued · NHTSA 10191761

    Honda CVT bulletin that adds or relies on DTC P271E for early primary belt wear on the HR-V: a PCM software update with CVT inspection, or an extended warranty. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

No curated relationships for P271E yet.

All Transmission codes

Sources and review

  1. Honda A21-046: CVT primary belt software update and DTC P271E (2016-2020 HR-V) — Honda ,
  2. NHTSA complaint 2208603: 2016 Honda HR-V, P271E limp mode — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  3. Honda A21-047: CVT drive belt warranty extension (2016-2020 HR-V) — Honda ,
  4. NHTSA complaint 2061377: 2016 Honda HR-V, P271E — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  5. NHTSA complaint 2255824: 2016 Honda HR-V, P271E — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  6. Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 13, § 1968.2 — Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements (OBD II) — California Air Resources Board (via Cornell LII)
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
Editorial review
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This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error

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