2008 Honda Fit Owner Complaints

My Honda Fit with an automatic transmission experienced a driveshaft failure due to corrosion in August 2018. At that time, Honda had announced a recall for similar driveshaft corrosion failures affecting manual‑transmission Honda Fits, but no recall existed for automatic‑transmission vehicles. Because there was no recall for my vehicle configuration, and no notice from Honda, I had the vehicle repaired at an independent repair shop at my own expense. Honda later expanded the recall to include automatic‑transmission Honda Fits in June 2019. However, I never received a mailed recall notification while I owned the vehicle. I sold the vehicle in February 2020, before Honda mailed recall notices. I only became aware that my vehicle was included in the automatic‑transmission recall later, while researching issues related to a different Honda Fit I currently own. At that point, I learned that my prior driveshaft failure matched the recalled defect. Honda is now denying reimbursement for the recall‑related repair because they say they must inspect the vehicle to confirm whether it was equipped with a factory dynamic damper. Honda has also stated, however, that it does not have its own records confirming whether my VIN included this component in the build at the factory. The failure occurred before the recall existed for automatic‑transmission vehicles, and Honda failed to notify me of the recall while I owned the car. The vehicle is no longer available for inspection due to this lack of notice. Denying reimbursement under these circumstances shifts Honda’s own delayed recall, delayed notification, and incomplete factory records onto the consumer. I am concerned that Honda’s recall reimbursement process unfairly denies reimbursement for pre‑recall failures when the manufacturer lacks build records and notification was delayed

NHTSA ID

11728799

Incident

Aug 1, 2018

Id like for my car to get assessed for any of the 8 recalled items that pop up in your system.. I bought this car from a dealership and I don't believe that they did anything for it to fix the recall problems

NHTSA ID

11682600

Incident

Sep 5, 2024

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Fit. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. While driving approximately 55 MPH or faster, there was a misfire coming from the engine. The contact stated while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle was wobbling. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that there was a misfire coming from all 4-cylinders. The mechanic test-drove the vehicle and the passenger’s side front axle shaft detached from the vehicle. Due to the failure, the dealer was unable to further diagnose the vehicle to determine what parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was unable to speak with the mechanic. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,500. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11662732

Incident

May 22, 2025

Mileage

138,500 mi

When the car is started, it cranks with a bit of hesitation. It then has a rough idle. After putting the car in gear and going, it will just shut off while it's in drive. I then have to place the car in neutral while it's still moving to start it again and then quickly put it into drive. It does this the first 10 minutes of driving and then it stops. Until you let it sit for awhile and then it repeats this same issue.

NHTSA ID

11532458

Incident

Jul 15, 2023

My Bumper snapped off with going down a driveway. It’s made of plastic and it’s broken and need to be replaced. This is an ongoing issue with this vehicle. Every Honda fit I see on the road has this issue. This is dangerous and could cause an accident.

NHTSA ID

11508180

Incident

Feb 20, 2023

Above mentioned Honda Fit Vin number JHMGD38678S043570 had same issue with low beam headlight recall (TSB 10-082 low beam headlight recall) Low beam headlight do not work. Car was sent to Pohanka dealership for repair. "Found a break in wire where connector was installed." I have documentation attesting to this. I am not denying that switch was bad, but Honda is charging labor for the obvious recall repair that was incorrectly performed. I would like a partial refund for the labor they are charging for the time to repair the recall correction. Honda is denying the claim saying it is "wear and tear".

NHTSA ID

11494169

Incident

Nov 18, 2022

I got a letter from Honda regarding a recall to my vehicle Honda fit, I headed to crest Honda dealer, they refused to check it, and sent me back. Then while I was heading home they sent me fake report stating that it’s been checked, and everything works fine, and this didn’t happen, because as mentioned they refused to take the car, so how they checked it while I was driving it back home. And the cameras available can prove that I left with the car immediately.

NHTSA ID

11478569

Incident

Aug 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Fit. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated continuously. The vehicle was able to restart after waiting. The failure recurred four times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact mentioned the vehicle was shuddering while accelerating the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the cylinders, valves, spark plugs, and head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

NHTSA ID

11464038

Incident

Apr 15, 2016

Mileage

30,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Fit. The contact stated that while driving, the low-beam headlight and fog lamps became inoperable without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with a defective connector switch that needed to be replaced. Additionally, the connector was melted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the failure was similar to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V624000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11426776

Incident

Jul 21, 2021

Mileage

140,000 mi

Recall not taken care of

NHTSA ID

11425221

Incident

Jul 16, 2021

The contact owned a 2008 Honda Fit. The contact stated while driving 20MPH the vehicle lost all motor and electrical power; which resulted in the vehicle rolling back down the hill it was on and crashing into a fence. No airbags deployed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a local police lot and a report was filed. There were no physical injuries from the occupants of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with, NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V770000 (POWER TRAIN). The manufacturer was informed of failure and was currently awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11422763

Incident

Feb 10, 2021

Mileage

200,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Fit. The contact stated that while turning into a parking lot approaching a parking space without warning the vehicle accelerated forward. The contact slammed on the brake pedal, however the vehicle failed to stop. The contact depressed the brake pedal again and the vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact shifted the vehicle gear into park. The vehicle has not been diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however no further assistance was taken and the manufacturer informed the contact that the warranties had expired, and to contact NHTSA to log a complaint. No dealer was contacted. The contact mentioned NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V770000 (Power train) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The failure was approximately 106,340.

NHTSA ID

11422179

Incident

Jun 9, 2021

Mileage

106,340 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Fit. The contact stated that while driving, the axle broke on two occasions without warning. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v770000 (power train) however, the part to do the recall was unavailable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where the axle was replaced however the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the same local dealer where diagnosed the transmission was bent and damaged. The manufacturer was notified however no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 108,000.

NHTSA ID

11422005

Incident

Jan 1, 2017

Mileage

108,000 mi

A week before bringing in the vehicle to the dealer for the recall inspection the drive shaft broke while backing out of the garage.

NHTSA ID

11419879

Incident

Jun 5, 2021

Shortly after receiving the Safety Recall notice, in February, I contacted Honda and over the next few weeks, and multiple phone calls, provided them with contact info, receipts and bank statements showing that the left front axle had failed previously and been repaired and paid for by me at a local garage. I heard nothing from Honda for a number of weeks. In the last month (May) I have called twice and emailed Honda once asking for an update on my reimbursement claim but have had no response. Can you suggest what I might do now?

NHTSA ID

11419826

Incident

Oct 28, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL, BOOMING NOISE EMIT FROM THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE LEFT DRIVE SHAFT. A WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V770000(POWER TRAIN) WHICH WAS LINKED DIRECTLY TO THE INITIAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE HONDA SUPERSTORE OF JOLIET(3225 PLAINFIELD RD, JOLIET, IL 60431) TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND VERIFY THE REPAIR. UPON INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED SEVERE CORROSION ON THE RIGHT SIDE DRIVE SHAFT AND THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A LOANER VEHICLE TO HAVE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND THEN WENT TO THE DEALER FOR AN UPDATE AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THE LOANER VEHICLE DESPITE THE RECALL NOT BEING SERVICED.THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. JO

NHTSA ID

11403474

Incident

Feb 3, 2021

Mileage

80,000 mi

ON 2/17/21 THE DRIVER SIDE AXLE BROKE AND RIGHT SIDE AXLE RUSTED. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE VEHICLE FIXED. THEY INSTALLED AFTERMARKET AXLES AND WHEN THE FACTORY HONDA AXLES BECOME AVAILABLE, THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT ME TO COME BACK AND THEY WOULD SWITCH THE PARTS OUT FOR FREE. I THEN PICKED UP MY CAR ON 2/19/21. ON 3/7/21 (AFTER ONLY PUTTING ABOUT 400 MILES ON IT) THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SKIPPING GEARS. EVERYTIME I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN PROCEEDED TO GO AGAIN, IT WOULD SKIP OUT OF 1ST GEAR AND INTO 3RD. ALSO, EVERY TIME MY SPEEDOMETER WENT ABOVE 60, THE RPMS WOULD GET HIGHER THAN NORMAL AND FLUCTUATE. WHEN I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR INTO SPORT MODE, IT DID NOT COME ON EITHER. ON 3/8/21 I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT I WOULD NEED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT. I ASKED THEM TO TOW IT, AS I DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT, AND POSSIBLY DAMAGE IT MORE. THEY AGREED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THEIR DEALERSHIP ON 3/8/21. AFTER THEY LOOKED AT IT THAT SAME DAY, THEY TOLD ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THAT THE CAR DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES. I TOLD THEM TO DRIVE IT AGAIN AND TRY TO USE THE SPORT MODE AS WELL BECAUSE IT WAS NOT WORKING ON 3/7/21. ON 3/9/21, THEY SAID THAT WHEN THEY DROVE THE CAR, IT DID NOT SKIP GEARS AND THE SPORT MODE WAS WORKING. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NOW DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE SERVICE TECH IS JUST TRYING TO COVER UP HIS MISTAKE AND MAKE ME PAY FOR THE TOW BILL. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PAPER WORK FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND NOTE THAT THEY DID NOT EVEN CHECK MY TRANSMISSION FLUID TO WHEN THEY INITIALLY DID THE WORK TO REPLACE THE AXLES. I KNOW THAT WHEN YOU REPLACE DRIVE AXLES, YOU WILL ALWAYS NEED TO CHECK AND ADD TRANSMISSION FLUID, BECAUSE WHEN YOU REMOVE THE OLD DRIVE AXLES, TRANSMISSION FLUID DOES LEAK OUT AND FLUID WILL ALWAYS NEED TO BE REPLENISHED WHEN DOING THIS TYPE OF WORK.

NHTSA ID

11399973

Incident

Mar 7, 2021

Mileage

140,000 mi

THE LEFT SIDE DRIVE AXLE BROKE WHILE PULLING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ID

11396337

Incident

Feb 12, 2021

Mileage

157,671 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V770000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED FUOCO HONDA (748 N 1ST ST, GRAND JUNCTION, CO 81501, (970) 628-0454) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11395918

Incident

Feb 12, 2021

LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AND VEERED INTO LIGHT POST. THE POST WAS IMPACTED AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS SMOKE AND GUN POWDER SMELL. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE AIRBAG OBVIOUSLY FIRED, BUT DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID

11384459

Incident

Dec 8, 2020

Mileage

142,000 mi

I AM THE ORIGINAL AND ONLY OWNER OF THIS 2008 HONDA FIT SPORT. THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS SO THE INTEGRITY OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE SOUND. BUT IT IS NOT. I AM NOT SURE WHEN THE ISSUE BEGAN BUT I HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IT FOR A FEW YEARS AND DIDN'T REALIZE THAT SO MANY OTHER 2008 HONDA FIT OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SO, I AM JUST NOW MAKING THIS COMPLAINT. MY CAR, JUST AS MANY OTHER 2008 HONDA FIT SPORT OWNERS HAVE REPORTED, HAS A STRUCTURAL DEFICIENCY SOMEWHERE THAT ALLOWS WATER INTO THE VEHICLE IN AT LEAST TWO SEPARATE ENTRY POINTS. WATER POOLS IN THE LOCATION WHERE THE SPARE TIRE IS LOCATED. NOT JUST A LITTLE BIT, NOT JUST A DROP OR TWO...BUT A "POOL" OF WATER. SECONDLY, WATER IS GETTING INTO THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. THE CARPET IS CONSTANTLY WET AND MUSHY. MY CAR SMELLS TERRIBLE DUE TO SITTING WATER (SMELLS LIKE RUSTY DANK WATER?) AND VERY LIKELY MOLD GROWTH. THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON THESE CARS I CANNOT BELIEVE HONDA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. HONDA EITHER NEEDS TO MAKE THESE CARS STRUCTURALLY SOUND WITH A REPAIR OR SOMEHOW MAKE IT RIGHT WITH THE OWNERS BY WAY OF A MONETARY EQUIVALENT TO THE DEPRECIATION OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THIS STRUCTURAL ISSUE. HOW IN THE WORLD CAN I SELL THIS CAR WITH THIS PROBLEM?

NHTSA ID

11364002

Incident

Jun 15, 2018

MY AIR BAGS LIGHT CAME ON. TESTING SHOWED AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED. IT TURNED MY AIRBAGS OFF. UNSAFE TO DRIVE. 2007 & 2009 HAS AN AIR BAG RECALL. WHAT ABOUT 2008?

NHTSA ID

11353014

Incident

Aug 26, 2020

Mileage

252,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO RIGHT AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED PARAGON HONDA LOCATED AT 57-02 NORTHERN BLVD, WOODSIDE, NY 11377, 718- 508-5000 AND PLAZA HONDA LOCATED AT 2722 NOSTRAND AVE, BROOKLYN, NY 11210, 718-253-8400, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK TO A REPRESENTATIVE AT NEITHER DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO UNABLE TO REACH A REPRESENTATIVE WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,191.

NHTSA ID

11329357

Incident

Mar 11, 2020

Mileage

58,191 mi

WATER ENTERS THE CAR EXCESSIVELY WHENEVER IT RAINS. WHEN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE, I DISCOVERED THAT MANY FIT OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. IT APPEARS THAT WATER COMES IN AROUND THE WINDOWS AND THE PLASTIC SHEETING INSIDE THE DOOR COMPARTMENT ISN'T SEALED CORRECTLY, SO INSTEAD OF SHEDDING THE WATER TO OUTSIDE OF THE CAR IT ALLOWS THE WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AROUND THE REAR SPEAKERS. I'M NOT SURE YET HOW IT IS GETTING INTO THE HATCH AREA. I TYPICALLY HAVE MY REAR SEATS DOWN, SO I DIDN'T NOTICE THE TWO INCHES OF STANDING WATER IN MY BACKSEAT. FURTHER INVESTIGATION LED ME TO FIND TWO INCHES IN THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT AS WELL. JUDGING BY THE RUST DISINTEGRATED JACK IN THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT, THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. MY REAR SEAT, CARPET, AND CARPET PAD HAVE BEEN SOAKED FOR SO LONG THAT WHEN I WAS VACUUMING THE WATER OUT OF THE CAR TODAY, I SAW WHITE MOLD GROWING ALONG THE TOP OF MY REAR SEATS. I'M SURE THE CAR IS LOADED WITH MOLD AND POSSIBLY NEEDS TO BE TOTALED DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THIS NOW PRESENTS MAJOR HEALTH RISKS. *TR

NHTSA ID

11323804

Incident

May 7, 2020

Mileage

140,000 mi

DUE TO THIS AIRBAG DEFECTIVENESS MY CAR GOT DAMAGED AND AFFECTED BADLY

NHTSA ID

11278789

Incident

Aug 1, 2017

Mileage

117,000 mi