2017 Honda Fit Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 Honda Fit, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system1222.6%
- Engine1120.8%
- Electrical1120.8%
- Body & structure611.3%
- Powertrain (other)47.5%
- Other / unspecified35.7%
- Suspension23.8%
- Visibility11.9%
- Driver assistance11.9%
- Interior & seats11.9%
- Steering11.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns 2017 Honda Fit. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that cylinders #1, #2, and #4 had failed and cylinder #3 was currently operating. The mechanic performed a pressure test on all cylinders and that the cylinders needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure, and the contact was transferred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
After replacing fuel injectors recently I have no warning lights on but the car has been stalling and pulling. Today on the freeway as I attempted to accelerate from 30 mph my car jerked and pulled 3 times harshly almost causing an accident. Still no warning lights and this has happened multiple times. I have submitted a prior concern and it has not been addressed and the problem only continues and has gotten worse.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns 2017 Honda Fit. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that cylinders #1, #2, and #4 had failed and cylinder #3 was currently operating. The mechanic performed a pressure test on all cylinders and that the cylinders needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure, and the contact was transferred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Rattling noise coming from engine when starting engine cold
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
When starting or stopping the engine with the push button, a mechanism makes a loud grinding noise.
Fuel gauage/odometer display glitches out and does not show the information. It is just a blank reading.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
my wife's wedding finger was nearly amputated near the fingertip from our 2017 honda fit , it happened when she was getting out of the car and I was closing the electric windows on May 22 2025, luckily we had lots of napkins in the glove box to catch all of the blood,we went to emergency room and finger was x-ray'd and found out it was broken, they had to cut off wedding ring, er doctor stitched back together, prescribed antibiotics, and told her she needed to see a orthopedic surgeon in a week to do repairs I called and reported this to honda corp. And they said they would call and setup time to inspect vehicle, still have not received call yet There were no warnings or messages
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Fit. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact discovered that the paint all over the vehicle was delaminating and rusting. The failure occurred on several different occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed to be repainted. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Has about a 3 second engine rattle on cold start up, believed to be a defective variable valve timing gear.
Vehicle is experiencing intermittent fault with air-fuel ratio of cylinder. Problems began at 50,000 miles and the dealer recommended engine cleaning due to carbon buildup. This did not solve the issues. Warranty repair was refused at that time, and has since lapsed out of warranty. This results in a malfunction indicator lamp on the dash. Car has additionally failed to start on occasion, and varies greatly in the number of cranks necessary to start. Also sometimes experience shuddering and movement of the vehicle when stopped. The reliability of the vehicle is compromised, which is a significant safety issue.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
7/14/24 This scenario has happened previously. The first time the engine light, steering light, tire light have come on and remained on. Driving around 65 mph the car judders, loses power, & engine light flashes. Thankfully, there was a shoulder to pull over onto because the ability to maintain speed is lost. Also, the highway I was on has extremely busy portions without any shoulder, so the situation could have been much worse. With traffic all around, I have to put on hazard lights and pull over onto a shoulder filled with tons of debris, which I then got a flat tire, which I then I had to change in the side of the highway. The immediate loss of power and subsequent events is extremely dangerous. The vehicle is well maintained. When taken for diagnosis shops have referred me to the dealer. I’ve called Honda America customer service and am also referred to the dealer. Dealerships are extremely difficult, expensive, & unreliable. Through research I’ve found fuel injector and carbon buildup issues that may be the cause, which of course can cause damage of the engine and catalytic converter. The cost of these repairs is very high. Therefore, I am unable to use a basic economical vehicle I purchased out of necessity, which I can barely afford already, and has now become much more expensive due to major repairs that are needed but incomplete due to lack of funds. If I try to drive it I become a potential hazard on the road. This seems like a manufacturing defect if it is an injector issue. If it is carbon buildup on the intake valves it requires an expensive service not disclosed at purchase in the owners manual, which seems dishonest and deceptive. The private shops I’ve been to have diagnosed the issue as faulty fuel injectors, catalytic converter, or unsure. Honda says go to the dealership, yet without any assistance from Honda they will require a diagnostic fee of around $200 and will require expensive out-of-pocket repairs of a likely Honda defect.
TAKATA RECALL, ORIGNAL TIRES COME FILLED WITH NITROGEN ON HONDA FIT LEAKING AIR DUE TO DEFECTIVE TIRES HONDA WAS STATIONARY WHEN ALL AIR LEAKED OUT. REGULAR AIR WAS PUT IN ALL TIRES AND CHECKED BY MECHANICS NO NAILS, SLASHES OR ANY PUNCTURES. VEHICLE LOOSES ALL AIR WHEN STATIONED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I brought my Honda in to Easy Honda in Spring branch Texas for some electrical problems. Turned out to be a fuse but I had to wait two extra hours until a mechanic who could use the computer came in.The front tie rod ends are completely shot on a well cared for car after only 17000 miles. And they want $250 to fix it. My son is a licensed mechanic and let me know that on a Honda those should never wear out and even in a GM product they are good for 80,000 miles. I also had the rubber shield around the oil drain area and I had to cut most of it away so I could drive it. The service writer said it was unnecessary so they would remove the rest. Well of course they lied and did not. What is really incredible is after he did what he need to do my gas mileage increased 10%! So what was wrong before that the computer fixed that I didn't know and still don't. Everyone their is a BS artist out to rip you off. When Penske owned the dealership it was great now they lie cheat and doubled the prices. I wish there was someone at Honda with a brain and cared about there formerly great reputation I could speak to.
THE VEHICLE INCLUDES AN EARTH DREAMS ENGINE, DIRECT INJECTION AND CUT TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION AT IDLE WHEN IN PARK, NEUTRAL, OR UNDER LOAD IN DRIVE AT A STOP. SOME COMPONENTS OF THE SUSPENSION ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE AND OUT OF SPEC.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
Blue metallic paint has clear coat peeling and exposed base paint. Paint should last longer than 8 years, this is a manufacturing defect.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2017 HONDA FIT LX. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DECLINE ON A CITY STREET I WAS TAPPING THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE TO KEEP IT AT OR UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT. AS I GOT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DECLINE THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED RED SO I APPLIED THE BRAKES SIGNIFICANTLY HARDER AND CONSTANT. AS I BRAKED FOR THE STOPLIGHT THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND I HAD A HARD TIME COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE THE STOPLIGHT. EVEN AT A COMPLETE STOP THE ENGINE WAS REVVING. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK TO TRY TO STOP THE ENGINE FROM REVVING BUT IT DIDN'T HELP. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AT A CONSTANT RATE. I TRIED TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF PARK AND PUT IT IN A LOW GEAR TO GET THE SYSTEM TO RESET BUT I COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE ENGINE FROM REVVING WAS TURNING THE CAR OFF. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF THE ENGINE AS I STOPPED AND WHY IT CONTINUED IN PARK BUT I FIGURED IF IT HAPPENED TO ME THAT IT COULD ALSO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE IN THE FUTURE SO IT SHOULD BE REPORTED
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTH FRONT SEAT HEAD RESTRAINTS ARE ANGLED TOO FAR FORWARD. I AM 6 FT TALL AND AM NOT ABLE TO REST MY BACK AGAINST THE SEAT WITHOUT THE HEAD RESTRAINT TOUCH MY HEAD FIRST AND PUSH IT DOWNWARD. THIS IS THE CASE, REGARDLESS OF THE HEIGHT OF THE HEAD RESTRAINT. THE MOST NON-UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION IS WITH THE RESTRAINT COMPLETELY DOWN, BUT AT THAT POSITION, IT IS VERY AWKWARD. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF I AM REAR-ENDED, I WILL GET A CERVICAL COMPRESSION OR RELATED FREAK INJURY DUE TO THE UNNATURAL ANGLING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
At about 79330 miles, sharp right or left steering elicited a clunking sound. The dealer "found rack and pinion going bad, recommend replacing rack and pinion," If the steering mechanism were to fail while the car was moving, severe injury or death to the occupants or other persons could result. As noted, the car was inspected by the dealer's mechanic but not by a manufacturer's representative.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .