2018 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 2018 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 system4129.5%
- Electrical3525.2%
- Engine2316.5%
- Body & structure128.6%
- Driver assistance128.6%
- Powertrain (other)42.9%
- Airbags32.2%
- Exterior lighting32.2%
- Interior & seats21.4%
- Steering21.4%
- Tires & wheels10.7%
- Seat belts10.7%
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
Purchased great condition used 2018 Fit EX on [XXX] from local non-Honda dealership. The next day, on [XXX], the following errors appeared on the dash: tire pressure monitor system, emissions, hill start assist, lane deviation warning, power steering, and vehicle stability assist errors on the screen, and the check engine, tire pressure monitoring system, vehicle stability assist system, and electric power steering lights were also on. Returned to the used dealership that same day. They replaced the spark plugs and battery, still not solved. Took it to local Honda service shop (Performance Kings Honda at 9131 Fields Ertel Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249), diagnosed as needing fuel injectors replaced (running too rich), and got the fuel injector repair. Got the car back within a week, problem now solved. This is an issue for the NHTSA because it is a known issue on this make and model of car by owners and Honda. See the following: Honda Service Bulletins 21-007, 22-002, 23-042. Fuel injectors are an expensive repair, and they're known to be faulty on these vehicles by the manufacturer. Without correction, other major systems in the vehicle will fail, with issues such as engine misfire, overheating, catalytic converter failure, and catastrophic damage to the engine. Honda already knows this is an issue on the 2016 and 2017 models. The warranty extension they already issued for these years must be expanded or replicated to cover this issue which has persisted in the 2018-2020 models. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Fit. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on a dangerous and winding road, the battery and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the fuel injectors had failed due to carbon build up. The contact was advised that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The fuel injectors were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that recently while driving on the freeway, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer and was diagnosed and determined that the fuel injectors had failed due to carbon build up and needed to be replaced. The fuel injectors were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact was concerned that the same failure might reoccur again. The contact was informed of a manufacturer’s extended warranty related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,474.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Passenger airbag weight sensor (light next to radio goes on/off) intermittently not sensing adult passenger in passenger seat. Airbag may not work properly in case of accident and could cause severe injury or death of passenger. Indicator light inconsistently goes on and off. This is an active known recall issue. The VIN for my vehicle is not included in the recall.
The instrument cluster display malfunctioned. The odometer and MPG (fuel economy) display are affected. The component is available for inspection upon request. If the fuel gauge becomes affected by this malfunction, the driver would be unable to monitor fuel levels, risking unexpected engine stalling on highways without warning. The problem has not yet been confirmed by a dealer or service center. The issue is intermittent and currently in early stages. The vehicle was taken to a Honda dealership for a recall repair (NHTSA #23V-858) approximately three week ago, but the instrument cluster issue was not discussed at that time. No warning lamps appeared. The odometer display goes blank for approximately 1 minute after engine start. This began recently and appears temperature-related, improving in hot weather. The MPG display also fluctuates erratically and shows unreliable readings.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Purchased great condition used 2018 Fit EX on [XXX] from local non-Honda dealership. The next day, on [XXX], the following errors appeared on the dash: tire pressure monitor system, emissions, hill start assist, lane deviation warning, power steering, and vehicle stability assist errors on the screen, and the check engine, tire pressure monitoring system, vehicle stability assist system, and electric power steering lights were also on. Returned to the used dealership that same day. They replaced the spark plugs and battery, still not solved. Took it to local Honda service shop (Performance Kings Honda at 9131 Fields Ertel Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249), diagnosed as needing fuel injectors replaced (running too rich), and got the fuel injector repair. Got the car back within a week, problem now solved. This is an issue for the NHTSA because it is a known issue on this make and model of car by owners and Honda. See the following: Honda Service Bulletins 21-007, 22-002, 23-042. Fuel injectors are an expensive repair, and they're known to be faulty on these vehicles by the manufacturer. Without correction, other major systems in the vehicle will fail, with issues such as engine misfire, overheating, catalytic converter failure, and catastrophic damage to the engine. Honda already knows this is an issue on the 2016 and 2017 models. The warranty extension they already issued for these years must be expanded or replicated to cover this issue which has persisted in the 2018-2020 models. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
This is after the recall on 2018-19 Fit Carbon Buildup with Misfire DTCs under codes P0300-P0304) and after fuel injectors are replaced. Current problem is with combination of carbon deposits on intake valves. Failing fuel injector/s causing an incorrect air/fuel ratio with code under P0172.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Vehicle leaks water into driver side floor space, seems to be backing up from the wheel well after heavy rains. The driver’s side floor was completely covered in over 1” of water after a torrential downpour. Have also experienced water leaking through roof/sunroof after rains in the past.
Two separate issues: The variable valve timing control (VTC) actuator is defective. There is a Honda service bulletin on this issue that has impacted many years of Honda Fits and has proven to be a defective unit. Service Bulletin 16-088. This repair should be covered as this defective part can cause severe damage to the engine costing the consumer thousands of dollars to repair. A simple search of Honda Fit VTC issues will show an outsized number of people having this issue. This is Honda's own service bulletin - The exterior paint on the vehicle may peel off. American Honda is extending the warranty on the paint of the affected vehicles to 7 years from the original date of purchase with no mileage limit. This warranty extension does not apply to other paint issues like rock chips, scratches, bird droppings, sap, wraps, dents, collision damage, customer-induced damage, etc. However this only covers a couple colors, Vehicles that are painted NH-788P. AHM referred to the white pearl paint as both White Orchid Pearl and Bellanova White. My car is painted red and is exhibiting the same issues as described in the Honda Service Bulletin 19-064. The same warranty extension should extend to our car as well as the paint and process was defective.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Failure of the, Multipurpose Camera (Honda Sensing), causing adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation, and lane-keep assist to stop working. Failed in 2023 and was replaced by honda costing me 1,600 dollars. Now, 3 years later the camara failed again and it will be another 1,700 to replace.
Multipurpose camera stopped working in normal conditions. Dealership says the camera is faulty. Several safety functions such as lane keep assist, collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control no longer work.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Two separate issues: The variable valve timing control (VTC) actuator is defective. There is a Honda service bulletin on this issue that has impacted many years of Honda Fits and has proven to be a defective unit. Service Bulletin 16-088. This repair should be covered as this defective part can cause severe damage to the engine costing the consumer thousands of dollars to repair. A simple search of Honda Fit VTC issues will show an outsized number of people having this issue. This is Honda's own service bulletin - The exterior paint on the vehicle may peel off. American Honda is extending the warranty on the paint of the affected vehicles to 7 years from the original date of purchase with no mileage limit. This warranty extension does not apply to other paint issues like rock chips, scratches, bird droppings, sap, wraps, dents, collision damage, customer-induced damage, etc. However this only covers a couple colors, Vehicles that are painted NH-788P. AHM referred to the white pearl paint as both White Orchid Pearl and Bellanova White. My car is painted red and is exhibiting the same issues as described in the Honda Service Bulletin 19-064. The same warranty extension should extend to our car as well as the paint and process was defective.
I have noticed a grinding/rattling when starting my Fit from a cold engine. I have taken the car to the dealership and mentioned the noise - they recommended getting a new battery. Afterwards the noice was still happening. I took it in again and stated theres a rattling sound on a cold start. The dealer said that couldn't replicate it and probably related to the exhaust system. Now I have taken it in once again because the noise is getting worse and not just on cold starts and at this point they inform me that it's the VTC Actuator. Upon hearing this I googled the part and this is a long running issue for Hondas and there have been several service bulletins about it. The VTC Alternator has cause the timing chain to stretch in some vehicles according to this search which then can cause total engine failure. I do not feel safe driving a car that has been having issues with the VTC Actuator for years and Honda has not be held accountable for this.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Passenger airbag weight sensor (light next to radio goes on/off) intermittently not sensing adult passenger in passenger seat. Airbag may not work properly in case of accident and could cause severe injury or death of passenger. Indicator light inconsistently goes on and off. This is an active known recall issue. The VIN for my vehicle is not included in the recall.
Front end accodent totaled car, but airbags never deployed
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
In colder temperatures, the instrument gauge cluster begins flickering like there is a loose connection. Online research indicates there are many honda fit owners who are experiencing the same thing and the problem appears to be related to the solder joints that expand and contract in cold/warm temps, causing connectivity issues.
I am a 76 year old Minnesota woman who lives on a limited budget. I purchased a used 2018 Honda Fit from Richfield Bloomington Honda (RBH) on 04-07-21. Initially the tachometer & speedometer gauges could easily be read during both day and night driving. Within about a month, during daylight driving these gauges became dark and very difficult to read – especially while driving with sunglasses during the day to protect my eyes from UVA and UVB rays. Other Honda Fit owners have experienced the same issue. Here’s a post I found on the internet: “I traded in my 2015 Fit last year for a 2017 Fit Sport. I seem to recall that, on the 2015, when in "daylight mode", the speedo/tach/fuel gauges were automatically brightly lit at full brightness. I've noticed lately that on my 2017, only the fuel gauge lights up brightly in daylight. The tach and speedo remain completely dark and barely readable. Honda dealer says nothing is wrong. Is this normal?” RBH has implied that the illumination problem I experience with my speedometer is somehow my fault – either because I wear the wrong sunglasses or that I shouldn’t wear any sunglasses when I drive. My 2018 Honda Fit is not safe when I take my eyes off a crowded hwy for 2-3 seconds while trying to discern my speed from a dark, barely readable speedometer. This could lead to a tragic accident! I met with several RBH reps re this illumination problem and sent follow up emails which were ignored. Because pf my low income, I can’t afford to fix the gauge problem, and I rely on my warrantee. Today only 200 miles are left before my warrantee ends, and RBH is in no hurry to fix the gauge problem. Because this is a safety issue, I want the speedometer fixed by RBH at no cost to me even if my warrantee ends due to RBH delays. I need RBH to provide me with a free loaner car until the speedometer on my 2018 Honda Fit is fixed and deemed safe to drive by an independent auto mechanic.
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
Passenger airbag weight sensor (light next to radio goes on/off) intermittently not sensing adult passenger in passenger seat. Airbag may not work properly in case of accident and could cause severe injury or death of passenger. Indicator light inconsistently goes on and off. This is an active known recall issue. The VIN for my vehicle is not included in the recall.
A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE (NEW) IN FALL OF 2017 I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS UNCOMFORTABLY WARM. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND THE SERVICE DEPT. COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SEAT HEATER. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER, THAT SERVICE DEPT. TOOK AN EXTENSIVE CHECK AND AGAIN I WAS TOLD ALL WAS WORKING FINE AND THEY FIXED NOTHING. HOWEVER, AFTER THAT SECOND SERVICE THE SEAT WAS COMFORTABLE AND I HAD NO COMPLAINT UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH AGO WHEN THE SEAT AGAIN BECAME UNCOMFORTABLY WARM (WITH THE HEATER ON OFF). I TOOK IT TO THE SECOND DEALERSHIP, THE PERSON IN THE SERVICE DEPT. TOOK THE CAR FOR A DRIVE AROUND TOWN AND SAID THAT THE SEAT "RETAINED MORE HEAT THAN HIS VEHICLE OR OTHERS HE DROVE) HE DIDN'T FEEL ANYTHING WAS WRONG, SO NO ONE WORKED ON CHECKING OUT THE WIRING OR ANYTHING AND IT IS STILL UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE.
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
VSA, power steering, engine light, and tire sensor light all came on at once. The car was not steering properly. I took the car in May 16, 2024, and they determined that a carbon buildup in the engine was the cause, and said the cylinder also had a misfire. They also said that the car needed a software update. I asked about the recall, because the recall letter I got in the mail states that if the engine light comes on, then it is eligible for repair. But they refused to repair it, claiming that the issue was only due to the carbon buildup, and said they have no parts available. However on my invoice when picking up the car, they listed the recall as if it were part of the repairs. I asked, just to verify, if they repaired it and they said no. I called the Honda number on my recall letter, and they spoke with the main manager at the dealership and told me that they determined the issue with my car wasn't due to the fuel pump recall. So do I have to drive my car until I have issues/until the engine is damaged by this safety issue? That doesn't make sense.
I WAS ON FM529 IN THE LEFT HAND TURN LANE HEADING TOWARDS THE SOLID GREEN LIGHT, AS I WAS APPROACHING THE LIGHT I STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND NOTICED IN MY LEFT PERIPHERAL VISION A BLACK CAR WAITING TO PULL OUT. I SLOWED DOWN TO 20 MPH WHERE I PROCEEDED TO HEAD TO THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THIS BLACK CAR PULLED OUT CROSSED TWO LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC & SIDE SWIPED MY CAR ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE FROM THE FRONT OF THE LEFT BUMPER ACROSS THE LEFT WHEEL WELL ABOVE THE LEFT TIRE, HIT PART OF MY LEFT DOOR AND COMPLETED TURNED MY LEFT MIRROR INWARD SO THAT IT WAS FLUSH WITH MY LEFT WINDOW. THIS BLACK CAR WAS MUCH BIGGER THAN MINE(2014 TOYOTA CAMRY) AND IT DID GIVE ME QUITE A JOLT UPON IMPACT. MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY IN THE LEFT HAND TURN LANE WHEN SHE PULLED OUT OF THE GAS STATION. THE LADY THAT DID THIS WANTED TO LEAVE THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. I SAID NO, BECAUSE I WANTED A POLICE REPORT. SHE ALSO STATED SEVERAL TIMES THAT SHE NEVER SAW ME IN THE LEFT HAND TURN LANE. I CALLED 911 AND TWO POLICE OFFICERS WERE DISPATCHED TO THE SCENE. ONE SAID IT WAS NOT WORTH DOING A REPORT BECAUSE THE DAMAGE WAS LESS THAN $1K. HE STATED THIS WHILE HE WAS LOOKING AT THE DAMAGE TO HER CAR NOT MINE. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR IS ROUGHLY AROUND $2K & HE ALSO STATED THAT IF HE WERE TO WRITE A REPORT UP, THAT OUR CAR INSURANCE WOULD JUMP "SKY HIGH". THERE WERE NO TICKETS GIVEN AT THE TIME. THE LADY AND I AGREED TO HANDLE THIS OUT OF POCKET. I ALSO TOLD THE OFFICERS THAT THE LADY HAD STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT SHE NEVER SAW ME, BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM TO MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED AT ABOUT 7:55 AM. THIS LADY CREATED THE PROBLEM BY NOT LOOKING TO HER RIGHT SIDE AND LOOKING STRAIGHT IN FRONT OF HER BEFORE PULLING OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I THINK MY BACK WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS DAMAGED AS IT WAS WORKING JUST FINE BEFORE THE ACCIDENT & NO LONGER WORKS. ALIGNMENT MUST BE CHECKED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Fit. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the TPMS and emissions system failure warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and diagnosed with excessive carbon build-up in the engine. The contact was advised to not drive the vehicle until the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT THE HONDA FIT ON JANUARY 27, 2018. BY EARLY FEBRUARY I HAD DEVELOPED AN INJURY THAT I WILL DETAIL BELOW BUT WHICH WAS ENTIRELY A RESULT OF DRIVING THE CAR I HAD JUST BOUGHT. I HAVE NOW NOT DRIVEN THE FIT AT ALL SINCE APRIL 18 AND DESPITE SEVERAL MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS (DOCUMENTS ATTACHED), I REMAIN IN DAILY PAIN. MY GP HAS DIRECTED ME TO SEE AN ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALIST WHO I WILL BE SEEING THIS AFTERNOON. THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT BELT TONGUE IN THE 2018 HONDA FIT IS PARTICULARLY LARGE & HEAVY; I WAS TOLD BY HONDA SERVICE THAT THE SIZE IS A RESULT OF DRIVER-SIDE SAFETY SENSORS. THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS LOCATED HIGH ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT & WHEN BUCKLED (WHETHER STANDING STILL OR IN MOTION), THE WEIGHT & SIZE OF THE TONGUE PULLS THE ENTIRE MECHANISM AT A PARTICULARLY SHARP ANGLE TOWARD THE DRIVER. IN MY CASE, THE SEAT BELT TONGUE-&-BUCKLE HITS MY RIGHT HIP AT SUCH AN ANGLE THAT IT AGGRAVATES A NERVE AND RESULTS IN BOTH IMMEDIATE & LASTING PAIN. I BEGAN TO TRY TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE BY ASKING HONDA SERVICE TO ADJUST THE SEAT BELT BUT THREE GOOD-FAITH EFFORTS ON THEIR PART DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM; THE DEALERSHIP ASSOCIATED WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT I WENT TO SAW IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY TO UPSELL ME TO A MORE EXPENSIVE CAR; TWO SEPARATE EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE VIA AMERICAN HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE RESULTED IN BEING TOLD THAT AS THE PART WAS NOT DEFECTIVE, THEY WOULD NOT BE HELPING ME (SCREENSHOT OF PRIVATE EXCHANGE ON TWITTER, ATTACHED.) FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, ALL I'VE ASKED FOR IS EITHER A DIFFERENT SEAT BELT WITH A DIFFERENT TONGUE-&-BUCKLE MECHANISM, OR A TRADE-IN FOR AN EARLIER MODEL WITH A DIFFERENT SEAT BELT, AND AT BOTH THE NATIONAL AND THE FRANCHISE LEVEL, NO ONE WAS WILLING TO WORK WITH ME IN EITHER DIRECTION.
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 .