RoadVitals

2009 Honda Fit

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
287
+1 complaint in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
11
Latest Dec 10, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
25
22 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 287 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Honda Fit, most frequently naming the airbags, steering and powertrain (other) categories. 11 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 54 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

11 campaigns cover this model year

View all 11

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20V770000

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Dec 10, 2020
248,358 units potentially affected
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Acura ILX, 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, and 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles with a manual transmission and 2009-2013 Honda Fit vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The drive shafts' protective coating may not have been applied properly during manufacturing, making it more susceptible to damage from road salt, or other contaminants, and potentially cause it to break.
The risk: A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle could also roll away if the parking brake has not been applied before the vehicle has been exited. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing either the left or right drive shaft, if necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk with an interim letter mailed February 2, 2021. A second letter will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are P9M, PAV, BAY, TAX, CA0, and MAZ.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number P9M, PAV, BAY, TAXView on NHTSA.gov
19V500000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jun 27, 2019
1,558 units potentially affected
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number S5B, W59View on NHTSA.gov
19V502000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jun 27, 2019
9,555 units potentially affected
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number F5F, Q5EView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 287
Electrical
Filed Jul 28, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Honda Fit. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 54,247. While the contact’s uncle was using a car app scanner, he discovered that the mileage was 172,429. The odometer was currently 90,000. There were no other agencies contacted.

NHTSA ID
11753282
Incident
May 11, 2024
Mileage
172,429 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 4, 2024

Honda has sent me numerous mailers advertising a gift card and loaner vehicle as incentives for participating in their Takata recall. Honda also cites the promise of a loaner vehicle in every press release trumpeting their so-called commitment to this recall. My local Honda dealership refuses to provide a loaner vehicle. I reported this problem to Honda expecting them to intervene, but I received nothing except useless automated email responses.

NHTSA ID
11623501
Incident
Nov 4, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 4, 2024

Cv axles prematurely rusting

NHTSA ID
11586943
Incident
May 3, 2024
Steering
Filed Jul 18, 2023

At highways speeds vehicle became difficult to maintain in a straight path. Slight change in the steering would result in car drifting to the left or right, requiring constant correction. Car felt unsafe to drive...took to mechanic to be diagnosed. Informed car needed a new steering rack system.

NHTSA ID
11533051
Incident
Apr 26, 2023
Electrical
Filed Apr 28, 2023

My doors have defaulted to the lock position, even when the vehicle is occupied. The electronic unlock system will not permit the car to unlock. The manual lock strongly resists being moved to the unlock position. With much force, it can be moved, but immediately relocks. The only way to exit the vehicle is to force the manual lock to unlock while simultaneously pulling the handle to open the door. This is an extreme safety hazard - as one cannot easily exit the vehicle. Upon entering the vehicle, an older driver, a less strong driver, or partially disabled driver would be trapped in their vehicle with only emergency procedures able to free them. If there were an accident, and the airbag were deployed - it would be impossible for an able bodied driver to get both hands to the door and initiate the sequence necessary to exit the car. One would be trapped. An incredibly dangerous situation. I see the door actuator has been recalled on other Honda models - so it is a known issue with the manufacturer. I am currently partiually diasble, and

NHTSA ID
11519443
Incident
Apr 27, 2023
Steering
Filed Oct 28, 2022

The power steering warning light is on intermittently. The steering is too heavy to turn and the wheels feel like locked.

NHTSA ID
11491307
Incident
Oct 5, 2022
Steering
Filed Aug 22, 2022

While driving without warning ⚠️ the car loses power steering the steering wheel locks up no control I hit the side walk back up power steering return and sometimes the car just shuts off a few put in park crank up

NHTSA ID
11480651
Incident
Dec 8, 2021
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 19, 2022

Pulling out onto a busy highway my car lost propulsion. It died in the middle of the highway with cars coming towards me. I found out the front right drive axle broke. I have photos of the broken drive axle. I later found out the part was recalled. I was never notified of any recall. I had my mechanic fix the car. He put in a new axle. Then I found out (on Facebook) that the axle was covered by recall. I called Honda. They said they will reimburse me for the repair. I sent them all the info, detailed bill and paid in full receipt. They did not pay. They closed my case. They do not return phone calls or letters.

NHTSA ID
11480197
Incident
Feb 9, 2022

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

A18-066

AIR BAGS

Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator.

A18-048

AIR BAGS

Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag Inflator for 2007-11 CR-V and Other Listed Years and Models.

A21120B

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS receiver Capacity resulting in a rollover of the internal chip memory; the rollover occurred on January 1, 2022, at 12:00AM local time.

A21120B

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

ServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in "rollover" of the internal chip memory; the "rollover" will occur on January 1, 2022 at 12:00AM local time. As a result, the navigation date and time will be incorrect.

A07-030

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

"Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant Gas Leak Detector -Ultrasonic Leak Detector -Leak Dye"

A20-011

AIR BAGS

Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Honda Fit by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020354052.7
20191346059.0
20181154057.9
2017420142.5
20161191147.1
20152834157.7
2014001—
201317610161.0
201211311155.3
201111311053.4
201018312057.3
2009Viewing28711053.1
20082178161.0
200736911155.7

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.