Honda Fit: best & worst years

No Honda Fit model year rates as one to avoid in CarVitals data. The strongest years are 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2019. Below is every year (2007–2020) ranked best to worst, with the owner-reported problems behind each verdict.

Every Honda Fit year, ranked

YearVerdictScoreTop owner-reported problems
2019 Recommended 7 Instrument-cluster display failures: the gauge/fuel/odometer display goes blank or shows scrambled characters, often in cold weather, traced to faulty circuit-board soldering; Fuel-injector cylinder misfires (codes P0300-P0304) on later third-gen cars, sometimes at low mileage; Honda issued service bulletins with selective warranty coverage; CVT transmission complaints on the 2015 launch (harsh shifting/hesitation, addressed by a software update); rare later failures with metal shavings in the fluid, and the CVT is costly to replace if it fails Full report ↗
2017 Recommended 7 Instrument-cluster display failures: the gauge/fuel/odometer display goes blank or shows scrambled characters, often in cold weather, traced to faulty circuit-board soldering; Fuel-injector cylinder misfires (codes P0300-P0304) on later third-gen cars, sometimes at low mileage; Honda issued service bulletins with selective warranty coverage; CVT transmission complaints on the 2015 launch (harsh shifting/hesitation, addressed by a software update); rare later failures with metal shavings in the fluid, and the CVT is costly to replace if it fails Full report ↗
2013 Recommended 7 Takata airbag inflator recall with long parts-availability delays; Driveshaft/CV-axle fractures, often from corrosion under the rubber dampers, breaking while driving; Electronic power-steering (EPS) module failures causing sudden loss of steering assist while driving Full report ↗
2012 Recommended 7 Takata airbag inflator recall with long parts-availability delays; Driveshaft/CV-axle fractures, often from corrosion under the rubber dampers, breaking while driving; Electronic power-steering (EPS) module failures causing sudden loss of steering assist while driving Full report ↗
2020 Caution 6 Instrument-cluster display failures: the gauge/fuel/odometer display goes blank or shows scrambled characters, often in cold weather, traced to faulty circuit-board soldering; Fuel-injector cylinder misfires (codes P0300-P0304) on later third-gen cars, sometimes at low mileage; Honda issued service bulletins with selective warranty coverage; CVT transmission complaints on the 2015 launch (harsh shifting/hesitation, addressed by a software update); rare later failures with metal shavings in the fluid, and the CVT is costly to replace if it fails Full report ↗
2018 Caution 6 Instrument-cluster display failures: the gauge/fuel/odometer display goes blank or shows scrambled characters, often in cold weather, traced to faulty circuit-board soldering; Fuel-injector cylinder misfires (codes P0300-P0304) on later third-gen cars, sometimes at low mileage; Honda issued service bulletins with selective warranty coverage; CVT transmission complaints on the 2015 launch (harsh shifting/hesitation, addressed by a software update); rare later failures with metal shavings in the fluid, and the CVT is costly to replace if it fails Full report ↗
2011 Caution 6 Takata airbag inflator recall with long parts-availability delays; Driveshaft/CV-axle fractures, often from corrosion under the rubber dampers, breaking while driving; Electronic power-steering (EPS) module failures causing sudden loss of steering assist while driving Full report ↗
2010 Caution 6 Takata airbag inflator recall with long parts-availability delays; Driveshaft/CV-axle fractures, often from corrosion under the rubber dampers, breaking while driving; Electronic power-steering (EPS) module failures causing sudden loss of steering assist while driving Full report ↗
2009 Caution 6 Takata airbag inflator recall with long parts-availability delays; Driveshaft/CV-axle fractures, often from corrosion under the rubber dampers, breaking while driving; Electronic power-steering (EPS) module failures causing sudden loss of steering assist while driving Full report ↗
2008 Caution 6 Takata airbag inflator recall with extended waits for replacement parts; Driveshaft/CV-axle breakage from rust accumulation, sometimes at relatively low mileage; Electronic power-steering failures (loss of assist while driving); Honda extended the warranty to 10 years for this defect Full report ↗
2016 Caution 5 Instrument-cluster display failures: the gauge/fuel/odometer display goes blank or shows scrambled characters, often in cold weather, traced to faulty circuit-board soldering; Fuel-injector cylinder misfires (codes P0300-P0304) on later third-gen cars, sometimes at low mileage; Honda issued service bulletins with selective warranty coverage; CVT transmission complaints on the 2015 launch (harsh shifting/hesitation, addressed by a software update); rare later failures with metal shavings in the fluid, and the CVT is costly to replace if it fails Full report ↗
2015 Caution 5 Instrument-cluster display failures: the gauge/fuel/odometer display goes blank or shows scrambled characters, often in cold weather, traced to faulty circuit-board soldering; Fuel-injector cylinder misfires (codes P0300-P0304) on later third-gen cars, sometimes at low mileage; Honda issued service bulletins with selective warranty coverage; CVT transmission complaints on the 2015 launch (harsh shifting/hesitation, addressed by a software update); rare later failures with metal shavings in the fluid, and the CVT is costly to replace if it fails Full report ↗
2007 Caution 5 Takata airbag inflator recall with extended waits for replacement parts; Driveshaft/CV-axle breakage from rust accumulation, sometimes at relatively low mileage; Electronic power-steering failures (loss of assist while driving); Honda extended the warranty to 10 years for this defect Full report ↗

Honda Fit problems by year

2020 Honda Fit Caution

Final US model year of the Fit: the same practicality and economy, with late gen-3 fuel-injector misfire and fuel-pump items to check; the nameplate was discontinued in the US after this year.

  • Instrument-cluster display failures: the gauge/fuel/odometer display goes blank or shows scrambled characters, often in cold weather, traced to faulty circuit-board soldering
  • Fuel-injector cylinder misfires (codes P0300-P0304) on later third-gen cars, sometimes at low mileage; Honda issued service bulletins with selective warranty coverage
  • CVT transmission complaints on the 2015 launch (harsh shifting/hesitation, addressed by a software update); rare later failures with metal shavings in the fluid, and the CVT is costly to replace if it fails

2019 Honda Fit Recommended

One of the strongest third-gen years with top reliability marks, a roomy interior and excellent economy; note a fuel-pump recall and some fuel-injector misfire service bulletins.

  • Instrument-cluster display failures: the gauge/fuel/odometer display goes blank or shows scrambled characters, often in cold weather, traced to faulty circuit-board soldering
  • Fuel-injector cylinder misfires (codes P0300-P0304) on later third-gen cars, sometimes at low mileage; Honda issued service bulletins with selective warranty coverage
  • CVT transmission complaints on the 2015 launch (harsh shifting/hesitation, addressed by a software update); rare later failures with metal shavings in the fluid, and the CVT is costly to replace if it fails

2018 Honda Fit Caution

Refreshed third-gen Fit with added active safety; generally dependable but cluster-display and paint-peel reports linger from earlier gen-3 cars.

  • Instrument-cluster display failures: the gauge/fuel/odometer display goes blank or shows scrambled characters, often in cold weather, traced to faulty circuit-board soldering
  • Fuel-injector cylinder misfires (codes P0300-P0304) on later third-gen cars, sometimes at low mileage; Honda issued service bulletins with selective warranty coverage
  • CVT transmission complaints on the 2015 launch (harsh shifting/hesitation, addressed by a software update); rare later failures with metal shavings in the fluid, and the CVT is costly to replace if it fails

2017 Honda Fit Recommended

A markedly improved third-gen year (Japanese-built quality, no recalls) with class-leading cargo flexibility and economy; one of the best used Fits.

  • Instrument-cluster display failures: the gauge/fuel/odometer display goes blank or shows scrambled characters, often in cold weather, traced to faulty circuit-board soldering
  • Fuel-injector cylinder misfires (codes P0300-P0304) on later third-gen cars, sometimes at low mileage; Honda issued service bulletins with selective warranty coverage
  • CVT transmission complaints on the 2015 launch (harsh shifting/hesitation, addressed by a software update); rare later failures with metal shavings in the fluid, and the CVT is costly to replace if it fails

2016 Honda Fit Caution

Early third-gen Fit still working through instrument-cluster display failures and build-quality complaints, though the CVT recall fixes were in place; inspect the gauge cluster.

  • Instrument-cluster display failures: the gauge/fuel/odometer display goes blank or shows scrambled characters, often in cold weather, traced to faulty circuit-board soldering
  • Fuel-injector cylinder misfires (codes P0300-P0304) on later third-gen cars, sometimes at low mileage; Honda issued service bulletins with selective warranty coverage
  • CVT transmission complaints on the 2015 launch (harsh shifting/hesitation, addressed by a software update); rare later failures with metal shavings in the fluid, and the CVT is costly to replace if it fails

2015 Honda Fit Caution

Debut of the third generation and the most-complained Fit year: more power and Honda Sensing availability, but a rushed launch brought CVT software issues, instrument-cluster display failures and seat-comfort gripes.

  • Instrument-cluster display failures: the gauge/fuel/odometer display goes blank or shows scrambled characters, often in cold weather, traced to faulty circuit-board soldering
  • Fuel-injector cylinder misfires (codes P0300-P0304) on later third-gen cars, sometimes at low mileage; Honda issued service bulletins with selective warranty coverage
  • CVT transmission complaints on the 2015 launch (harsh shifting/hesitation, addressed by a software update); rare later failures with metal shavings in the fluid, and the CVT is costly to replace if it fails

2013 Honda Fit Recommended

Final second-gen year and the most refined, with the fewest genuine reliability complaints; the dominant NHTSA entries are Takata-recall parts delays rather than mechanical faults.

  • Takata airbag inflator recall with long parts-availability delays
  • Driveshaft/CV-axle fractures, often from corrosion under the rubber dampers, breaking while driving
  • Electronic power-steering (EPS) module failures causing sudden loss of steering assist while driving

2012 Honda Fit Recommended

A well-sorted second-gen year with solid economy, big cargo versatility and low running costs; one of the better used Fits.

  • Takata airbag inflator recall with long parts-availability delays
  • Driveshaft/CV-axle fractures, often from corrosion under the rubber dampers, breaking while driving
  • Electronic power-steering (EPS) module failures causing sudden loss of steering assist while driving

2011 Honda Fit Caution

Mid-cycle second-gen Fit, VSA stability control now standard; dependable and frugal with the gen's lingering steering and corrosion asterisks.

  • Takata airbag inflator recall with long parts-availability delays
  • Driveshaft/CV-axle fractures, often from corrosion under the rubber dampers, breaking while driving
  • Electronic power-steering (EPS) module failures causing sudden loss of steering assist while driving

2010 Honda Fit Caution

Second-gen Fit with the same practicality and economy; reliability is solid for the class though power-steering and axle-corrosion complaints persist and insurance runs higher this year.

  • Takata airbag inflator recall with long parts-availability delays
  • Driveshaft/CV-axle fractures, often from corrosion under the rubber dampers, breaking while driving
  • Electronic power-steering (EPS) module failures causing sudden loss of steering assist while driving

2009 Honda Fit Caution

Launch of the roomier second generation: better handling and versatility, but early cars still log electronic power-steering failures and corrosion-related axle breakage alongside the Takata recall.

  • Takata airbag inflator recall with long parts-availability delays
  • Driveshaft/CV-axle fractures, often from corrosion under the rubber dampers, breaking while driving
  • Electronic power-steering (EPS) module failures causing sudden loss of steering assist while driving

2008 Honda Fit Caution

Final first-gen year, more sorted than 2007 but still carries the EPS power-steering, axle-corrosion and Takata-airbag risks plus rear-floor water-intrusion reports; a well-kept example is a cheap, practical runabout.

  • Takata airbag inflator recall with extended waits for replacement parts
  • Driveshaft/CV-axle breakage from rust accumulation, sometimes at relatively low mileage
  • Electronic power-steering failures (loss of assist while driving); Honda extended the warranty to 10 years for this defect

2007 Honda Fit Caution

First US year of the Fit's debut generation: Magic-Seat practicality and strong economy, but launch-year electronic power-steering failures (warranty-extended), corrosion-prone axles and Takata airbags make a careful inspection essential.

  • Takata airbag inflator recall with extended waits for replacement parts
  • Driveshaft/CV-axle breakage from rust accumulation, sometimes at relatively low mileage
  • Electronic power-steering failures (loss of assist while driving); Honda extended the warranty to 10 years for this defect

Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Honda models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.