What 113 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Honda Fit

When driving about 60 mph on a highway that was curving to the left, the steering wheel jerked to the left. I thought it was a flat tire but the tires were fine. Now every time I turn left, the steering wheel jerks to the right in middle of the turn.

NHTSA ODI 11746927

The contact owns a 2011 Honda Fit. The contact stated while driving uphill at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The maintenance warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil and fuel. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle fully, the fuel gauge displayed a half tank. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics, the dealer, and a second dealer, The Auto Connection (10910 Midlothian Tpke, Richmond, VA 23235), where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,691.

NHTSA ODI 11656324

The contact owns a 2011 Honda Fit. The contact stated that the rear passenger and driver's side doors failed to open. The occupants in the rear seats were unable to exit the vehicle. The occupants had to climb over the seat and exit through the front doors. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the door lock actuators needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11546328

The air bag light flashing saying airbag is off. The electrical system shut off, radio flashed on and off. The steering lost its power and the head lights shut off then everything would come back on. This happened multiple times, I could not control the steering, very unsafe and scary. Car is available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA ODI 11516817

Both right and left drive shafts went bad at the same time. The failure was diagnosed and repaired by Envision Honda of Milpitas. I asked how can the drive shafts be bad at 98000miles. The advisor told me this is normal and the car is old. After I searched online, the drive shafts shouldn’t fail in 98000 miles. I also found many people have the same problem also around 98000miles.

NHTSA ODI 11510181

The Honda fit has a known issue with door lock actuator. The car locks and unlocks several times now it just make a high squalling noise that prevent the car from being locked.

NHTSA ODI 11497991

2011 Honda Fit. Consumer writes seeking reimbursement for vehicle repairs made related to NHTSA Safety Recall 20V-770.

NHTSA ODI 11417554

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE DRIVE SHAFT FRACTURED AND THE VEHICLE LOSS DRIVE POWER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE HONDA SUPERSTORE OF JOLIET (3225 PLAINFIELD RD, JOLIET, IL 60431) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, A YEAR LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE HONDA SUPERSTORE OF JOLIET (3225 PLAINFIELD RD, JOLIET, IL 60431) AND THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V770000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS STILL AWAITING A CALLBACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER FOR GUIDANCE ON HOW TO PROCEED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,758.

NHTSA ODI 11416185

I DON'T KNOW IF MY CAR STALLING AT A RED LIGHT MIGHT CAUSE A WRECK IF IN MOTION. SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND MY CAR JUST STALLS FOR A SECOND THEN RIGHT BACK ON. RADIO AND LIGHTS GO OUT FOR JUST A SECOND. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT. HOPE IT DOESN'T CAUSE A WRECK WHILE IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI 11378046

DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE BROKE RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF PROPULSION. PASSENGER SIDE AXLE SHOWING SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. BOTH AXLES HAD TO BE REPLACED TO RESUME SAFE AND NORMAL FUNCTION. ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING, HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE AND JUST DRIVEN CAR CROSS-COUNTRY (WV->WA) 2 WEEKS PRIOR WITHOUT INCIDENT. CAR IS 2011 HONDA FIT WITH ~70K MILES ON IT, REGULARLY MAINTAINED AT DEALER AND UP UNTIL THE INCIDENT I WAS COMPLETELY SATISFIED WITH THE VEHICLE. I HAVE INCLUDED THE CARD FROM THE SPD WITH THE INCIDENT NUMBER, THE RECEIPT FROM HONDA OF SEATTLE FOR THE WORK, THE RECEIPT FOR MY PAYMENT, AND A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE OLD AXLES SHOWING THE BREAK. I HAVE RETAINED THEM IN CASE THEY WOULD BE RELEVANT FOR INVESTIGATIVE PURPOSES AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO TURN THEM OVER. INCIDENT OCCURRED EASTBOUND AT 1ST AVE S AND YESLER IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE WHILE RESUMING FORWARD MOTION FROM SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT. I FOUND AN EXPERIENCE FROM ANOTHER FIT OWNER ALMOST IDENTICAL TO MINE: HTTPS://WWW.FITFREAK.NET/FORUMS/1ST-GENERATION-GD-01-08/98605-AXLE-PROBLEMS.HTML#POST1406103 I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AS A I HAVE ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER IN MICHIGAN WITH A HONDA FIT OF SIMILAR VINTAGE AND I HAVE ADVISED THEM TO HAVE THEIR AXLES INSPECTED. I AM SHAKEN TO THINK OF THE AXLE BREAKING WHILE DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS, OR TRYING TO MERGE ONTO A BUSY HIGHWAY. I CONSIDER MYSELF EXTREMELY FORTUNATE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH, MUCH WORSE. NOT ONLY COULD THIS HAVE BEEN A MAJOR SAFETY EVENT BUT THE REPAIR SUGGESTED BY HONDA WAS ~3K WHICH IS PROBABLY OUTSIDE OF THE BUDGET FOR MOST HONDA FIT OWNERS.

NHTSA ODI 11365880

DRIVER PARKED 2011 HONDA FIT IN DRIVEWAY. IGNITION OFF CAR IN 1ST GEAR. AFTER ~ 4 MIN. CAR BEGAN SLOWLY ROLLING BACKWARD DOWN DRIVEWAY, ROLLING OVER CURB AND STOPPED UPON IMPACT W. TREE. IMPACT CAUSED DAMAGE TO LEFT REAR BUMPER, CRUSHED LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT AND WHEEL WELL. LEFT SIDE PANELS PUSHED FORWARD, SHIFTING LEFT SIDE FRAME OF CAR TOWARD FRONT OF CAR. INSPECTING CAR AT SITE OF IMPACT, DRIVER VERIFIED IGNITION REMAINED OFF AND GEAR SHIFT REMAINED IN 1ST GEAR POSITION. CAR WAS NOT DRIVEABLE, REQUIRING CAR TO BE TOWED FROM SITE. THANKFULLY NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN WERE NOT PLAYING IN PATH OF CAR AND CAR DID NOT ENTER MAJOR INTERSECTION WHERE IT WOULD LIKELY HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS IF NOT FATAL ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11363934

BROKEN OR FRACTURED PASSENGER CV AXEL.

NHTSA ODI 11349321

SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT, THREADS RIPPED ON CYLINDER 3. CAR LOST POWER AND EJECTED SPARK PLUG ON HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11338576

ONE YEAR AGO AN AXLE BROKE ON MY 2011 HONDA FIT. I HAD IT REPLACED. TODAY THE OTHER AXLE BROKE. I LOOKED ONLINE AND IT APPEARS THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. IN BOTH CASES, IT HAPPENED WHEN I MADE A FAIRLY HARD U-TURN AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO COMPLETE A THREE POINT TURN. I'M ASSUMING THE EXTRA FORCE ON THE SHAFT HAD TO DO WITH HAVING THE WHEELS TURNED HARD AND THEN ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE THEM, PERHAPS WHILE THEY WERE STILL MOVING. REGARDLESS, THIS SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN SO EASILY ON A CAR THAT'S NOT THAT OLD.

NHTSA ODI 11323052

WHEN MY WIFE BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY ONTO THE STREET AND SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, SHE HEARD A LOUD POP AND THEN SCRAPING NOISES. THE CAR THEN COULDN'T MOVE AND WE HAD TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND PUSH THE CAR BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY TO BE TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC. HE LATER TOLD US THAT THE LEFT FRONT AXLE BROKE AND THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE WOULD PROBABLY GO IN TWO MONTHS. IT TURNED OUT TO BE SEVERAL WEEKS. THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHEN I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING LOT. WHEN I SHIFTED TO DRIVE, THE SAME POP AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. THE CAR WAS TOWED AGAIN, THIS TIME THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE BROKE.

NHTSA ODI 11318677

WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN TOWN (LUCKILY - AND NOT ON A TURNPIKE OR HIGHWAY) MY CAR SUDDENLY CAME TO A JARRING HALT WHEN I ACCELERATED WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. TWO STRANGERS HELPED ME PUSH THE CAR ACROSS TRAFFIC TO A PARKING LOT AND I HAD TO CALL AAA FOR A TOW TO A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR. THE AXLE HAD SNAPPED BECAUSE OF THE RUBBER VIBRATION DIMINISHER WHICH TRAPS WATER AND DEBRIS THEN THIS ACCUMULATION RUSTS THE AXLE AND COMPROMISES ITS INTEGRITY. VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAD JUST COME OFF OF A 4 LANE HIGHWAY AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A PILEUP IF I HAD SUDDENLY STOPPED ON THAT HIGHWAY. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH LOTS OF HONDA FIT MODELS.

NHTSA ODI 11299556

THE AIRBAG LIGHTS KEEP TURNING ON AND OFF, BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND STILL DOING THE SAME THING. MATURE SECURITY ISSUE. ALSO, HAD MY CAR IN THE REPAIR SHOP 3 TIMES BECAUSE OF FOLLOWING REAONS: WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 0-35 MPH IT MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. HAD IT HOOKED UP TO A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE 3 TIMES AND THE NOISE WAS NOTICED, BUT NEVER RESOLVED.

NHTSA ODI 11282984

STOPPED AT INTERSECTION. STARTED TO PROCEED BY TAKING FOOT OFF BRAKE & PRESSING ON GAS & THERE WAS A LOUD THUD & NO FORWARD MOTION. PLACED IN PARK, THEN BACK IN DRIVE. IN DRIVE ENGINE REVS, AND THERE IS A HIGH PITCHED NOISE, BUT NO FORWARD MOTION. HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK. MECHANIC REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE AXEL SHAFT ASSEMBLY, AS AXEL WAS BROKEN. MECHANIC STATED THAT RUST HAD FORMED UNDER A PLASTIC FITTING MIDWAY ON THE SHAFT, AND THIS WAS THE SECOND ONE HE REPLACED THAT WEEK.

NHTSA ODI 11257940

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA FIT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT OFF, THE STEERING LOST POWER, AND THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE SYSTEM RESTARTED A FEW MINUTES LATER. THE FAILURE RECURRED MORE OFTEN WHEN THE HEATER OR AIR CONDITIONER WERE ACTIVATED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED DCH HONDA OF NANUET AT 845- 367-4380 (LOCATED AT 10 NY-304, NANUET, NY 10954) AND WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. A CASE NUMBER WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11255377

HONDA FIT 2011 ON 7/18/19 I WAS DRIVING WEST ON GOLF ROAD IN NILES, IL. AS I MADE A LEFT TURN AT THE LIGHT, THE FIT MADE A NOISE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE I HAD DRIVEN OVER A METAL BARREL. THE CAR LOST POWER AND DRIFTED INTO A STRIP MALL PARKING LOT. SOMEONE HELPED ME PUSH IT OUT OF THE WAY OF INCOMING TRAFFIC. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED, MY MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER-SIDE DRIVESHAFT HAD CORRODED, ESPECIALLY UNDER THE RUBBER DAMPER, AND HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN THROUGH. ALSO, THE PASSENGER-SIDE DRIVESHAFT HAD CORRODED IN THE SAME PLACE, AND WAS BEGINNING TO WEAR THROUGH. (I SENT TWO PHOTOS OF THE TWO DRIVESHAFTS TO NHTSA.WEBMASTER @DOT.GOV TODAY.) I AM A 75 YEAR OLD CAREFUL DRIVER, NO ACCIDENTS, NO MOVING VIOLATIONS ON MY RECORD. THE CAR HAD JUST 44,615 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED REGULARLY SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE DIRECTOR AT MY HONDA DEALERSHIP, WHO SAID "IN MY OPINION, THE AXLE SHOULD NEVER BREAK." IF THIS DEFECT IS APPEARING IN OTHER HONDA FITS, THE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED. COST TO ME: $396.78 FOR TWO NEW DRIVESHAFTS, AND $295 FOR LABOR.. AND, BY THE WAY, I COULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.

NHTSA ODI 11241333

STOPPED AT INTERSECTION. LIFTED FOOT OFF BRAKE, STARTED TO GO AND CAR STOPPED. IT MADE A CLANK. THE ENGINE CLICKING BUT NOT ENGAGING IN DRIVE. A BYSTANDER PUSHED MY CAR (IN NEUTRAL) OFF THE ROAD. HAD CAR TOWED AND FIXED WHERE I LEARNED IT WAS FRONT LEFT AXLE

NHTSA ODI 11235279

CHECK ENGINE

NHTSA ODI 11219697

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING (EPS) CUTS OUT AND BACK IN AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME STIFF AND UNSAFE. THE EPS INDICATOR COMES MOMENTARILY WHEN ASSISTED STEERING IS NOT AVAILABLE AND TURNS OFF WHEN POWER STEERING IS RESTORED. IT HAPPENS PERIODICALLY UNDER ALL DIFFERENT DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS LOOSING AND REGAINING ASSISTED POWER STEERING HAPPENS WITH IN SECONDS. IF CORNERING WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE LOSS OF POWERING STEERING CAUSES SEVERE UNDERSTEERING FOLLOWED BY SEVERE OVERSTEERING WHEN POWER STEERING IS RETURNED (ALL WITHIN THE SAME CORNERING MANEUVER). FIRST NOTICED JUST PRIOR TO GETTING THE TAKATA RECALL PERFORMED; HONDA DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING BECAUSE THEY "COULD NOT FIND ANY CODES". DID NOT NOTICE THIS PROBLEM TOO MUCH AGAIN TILL RECENTLY WHEN IT STARTED OCCURRING SO FREQUENTLY THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THERE IS ONLY A PROBLEM WITH EPS IF THE WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. HONDA DEALERS ARE 'UNAWARE OF ANY ISSUES' ALTHOUGH HONDA HAS HAD EPS ISSUES WITH THE FIT AS DOCUMENTED IN NHTSA COMPLAINTS AS WELL AS HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN 14-058 (DEALING WITH EARLIER MODEL FITS). WHEN I RECENTLY CONTACTED HONDA AND ASKED ABOUT THE PROBLEM THEY STATED THEY HAVE NO INFO ON DEFECTS AND BASICALLY IT SUCKS TO BE ME. BECAUSE THERE ARE SUPPOSEDLY NO STORED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) WITH THIS KNOWN ISSUE IT CANNOT BE RULED OUT AS A CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS. IT SEEMS ANY AND ALL HONDA FIT ACCIDENTS (ESPECIALLY INVOLVING FATALITIES OR SEVER INJURIES) IT WOULD BE CIRCUMSPECT TO CONSIDER THE UNPREDICTABLE LOSS OF POWER STEERING, WHICH CAUSES OVER AND UNDER CORRECTION IN CORNERING.

NHTSA ODI 11205736

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 HONDA FIT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 7 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. POLICE REPORT NUMBER: PA-19-285971 WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A POLICE IMPOUND FACILITY. THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED FIVE BROKEN RIBS, A BROKEN BACK, AND LACERATIONS TO THE HEAD. THE OCCUPANT REMAINED IN THE HOSPITAL FOR EIGHT DAYS. THE SECOND ROW PASSENGER AND A CHILD WERE ALSO TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH INJURIES TO THE FACE AND HEAD. THEY REMAINED IN THE HOSPITAL FOR ONE MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA ODI 11203406

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR STARTED MAKING HUMMING NOISE, IT GOT LOUDER THE FASTER IT WENT, TOOK IT TO GARDEN STATE HONDA IN PASSAIC NU AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON BOTH SIDES, WHEN I ASKED IF IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY THEY TOLD ME NO AND IT WILL COST $800 AND IT WOULD TAKE A WEEK BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE TOO ORDER THE PARTS. I WAS MOVING TO FLORIDA AND WHEN I GOT THERE I CALLED DELRAY BEACH HONDA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE BEARINGS ARE COVERED UNDER THE DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY, SO I TOOK THE CAR IN AND THEY REPLACED THE BEARINGS AND ALSO REPLACED A BAD DRIVER SIDE AXLE. THE BEARINGS AND AXLE REPLACEMENT AT 35,00 MILES IN MY OPINION IS UNACCEPTABLE CONSIDERING I DRIVE FOLLOW THE MAINTENANCE STRICTLY AND I AM VERY EASY ON THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11156774