Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Our database holds 287 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Honda Fit. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Showing 1–25 of 287 · page 1 of 12
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.
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.
Cv axles prematurely rusting
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.
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
The power steering warning light is on intermittently. The steering is too heavy to turn and the wheels feel like locked.
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
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.
On April 25, 2022 our 2009 Fit started rolling away when it was parked, not in gear and the parking brake was not set. In trying to "catch" the car from traveling into the street, my elderly husband took a bad fall and sustained a shattered shoulder, nerve damage, and other injuries. The car continued to travel into the street, and finally stopped after hitting the car parked across the street (my 2005 Toyota). At first, we thought it was simply an unfortunate incident and did not report the incident. Last week, however, we received the notice from Honda about the NHTSA Recall 20V-770. This is the first time we were notified about the recall! When I went to your website, it appears Honda knew about this in 2020. We are taking the car to the dealership tomorrow (August 5, 2022). I am grateful you have a site that puts our safety first. Hopefully, we will know whether a defect was a factor in the accident. I have a related safety question. The dealership said they would inspect the part, and order a new one if it needs it, and let us know when the work could be done. Is it safe to keep driving the Fit while we wait for the part? I'd rather get an answer from an unbiased professional like yourselves. Many thanks for your help.
Driver door actuator malfunctioning triggering passenger door and trunk hatch to all To constantly lock and unlock until car reaches about 10 miles per hour. Took to Honda dealership for inspection and confirmed problem. Also confirmed back order for parts to repair for 2 months or more.
2009 HONDA FIT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING BECOMES DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE'S MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AS IT OCCURED INTERMITTENTLY.
I was driving home during evening rush hour on the freeway, 65 mph. Suddenly, it felt as though I was driving a tank. Lucky that I was in the slow lane. I used the next exit and drove the rest of the way home very slowly on surface streets. A 100 degree turn in the roadway that I drove on would have been a disaster if a car was coming at me from the opposite direction. It got harder and harder to turn the further that I got. I managed to return home o k. I have had regular Honda maintenance at the dealership where I bought the car. Nowwhere else over the past twelve years. I will call the dealer to make an appointment tomorrow. I've never previously known of this problem - have not read or heard anything via media or been advised by Honda Inc. I've been concerned about electronic steering ever since I bought the car. If there is wind blowing, the car becomes unstable and drifts sideways.
Vehicle caught fire while driving
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Fit. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, causing the vehicle to reverse into oncoming traffic. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the driveshaft needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact then stated two months later, she received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V770000 (Power train). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact to send over documentation of the repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 135,703.
On Jan. 28, 2018 the drive shaft on my Honda Fit snapped while up shifting onto the main road. Car was towed and repaired the following day by a local shop. At the time there was no know recall for this part. My information and claim was submitted to Honda on 2/08/2021 with invoice and paid receipt. Honda verified that the part was repaired on my car and paid for. Honda has failed to either pay for the repair or send a letter of denial. Honda has also failed to return phone calls or return email. It should be noted that Honda claim agent harassed me by asking for unreasonable documentation such to prove the car was not in an accident or had to be pushed into the service bay at the repair shop. Claim number available upon request.
This is related to the Honda Fit 2000 manual transmission driver shaft recall (Service Bulletin 21-009). Part of the background of this recall reads: “Due to improper manufacturing, the paint on the driveshaft near the dynamic damper may peel and chip over time, exposing the bare metal and potentially causing it to corrode under the dynamic damper. A corroded driveshaft may break during high torque conditions, rendering the vehicle without propulsion, or allowing the vehicle to roll while in Park, which can increase the potential of a crash or injury.” I was surprised to see that only the driver shaft where the dynamic damper is located would be replaced. After I brought in my car (a manual transmission) in for the recall I noticed that the other driver shaft (does not have a damper) is corroded as well. If the drive shaft can break due to corrosion on one side why would it not break on the other side? I would assume it’s made of the same material with only differences that one has a damper and the other does not. Is the damper what would cause the breakage of the driver shaft or the corrosion? The manufacturer failed to apply proper coding on both sides of the driver shaft not just on the side of the damper. I want to bring this to your attention and want to understand the reasoning behind the decision. I am concerned that this still poses a danger for breakage of the drive shaft that wasn’t replaced and where proper coding was not used. Attached are pictures of the driver shaft that was not replaced as well as the bulletin. Thank you
When driving my 09 fit my radio went in and out then my steering wheel indicator light popped up next thing I knew my steering wheel locked and felt stiff when trying to turn, kept happening as I drove, it’s happened at least 20 times maybe more in ONE day!!! I almost crashed because my power steering goes in and out in this car and it feels like I loose complete control of the car!!! It almost verging off on its own it feels like for about 2-3 seconds sometimes it feels like longer that this happens, once the steering wheel light goes away I can regain control. However this is very very dangerous and I do not feel safe driving the car with this is happening randomly when I’m driving !!!! It’s happening to me at LOW and HIGH speeds and it’s very scary!!!
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Fit. The contact stated while her daughter was driving at unknown speed, the steering wheel became difficult to turn with the power steering assist warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The driver continued driving to her destination. The contact also stated that she was unable to start the vehicle. The vehicle was jump started. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was diagnosed at CMA'S Valley Honda as the Eps Unit.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 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 HERB CHAMBERS HONDA IN BOSTON (720 MORRISSEY BLVD, BOSTON, MA 02122, (617) 731-0100) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V770000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOYCE HONDA (NJ-10, DENVILLE, NJ 07834, (973)361-3000) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,087. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,475.
THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT AND LEVEL AT A SPEED OF AROUND 35 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THE ROAD HAS 4 LANES (2 IN EACH DIRECTION) WITH NO SHOULDER AND NO DIVISION BETWEEN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WE FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT POLICE CAME QUICKLY TO PUSH THE CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC. WE LEARNED LATER THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FAILED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING AND IS NOW UNDER A SAFETY RECALL ORDER. WE HAVE REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE DRIVESHAFT REPAIR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V770000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NO DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V770000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. 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.
DRIVE SHAFT BROKE AFTER PUTTING CAR INTO DRIVE (WAS PARKED ON SLIGHT INCLINE). PUSHED CAR INTO SAFE LOCATION. TOOK DRIVER SIDE TIRE OFF; SAW BROKEN DRIVE SHAFT. DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH SPACE TO SAFELY INSPECT PASSENGER SIDE.
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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