What 175 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Honda Fit

Electrical Fire.Happened Friday 6/5/26 sometime after I parked for the night. Vehicle was parked for the night. I went out the next day and the key fob nor the key would open the door. To try and see what might be jammed, I went and looked in the passenger side window and saw the damage.

NHTSA ODI 11742578

The coil component for the spark plug melted completely which caused the vehicle to stop working leaving me stranded on the side of the road.

NHTSA ODI 11734977

Paint has peeled extensively allowing for rust to form to roof and hood, which I suspect is a defect as opposed to natural wear. Similar Fits of white color have an existing class action lawsuit. This is for blue color.

NHTSA ODI 11679440

The fuse block became defective, thereby the brake lights, horn, tail lights, and blinkers stopped working.

NHTSA ODI 11637322

The power steering goes out while driving randomly and has been happening every drive for at least a year and 6 months. It passes car inspections because the situation is restarted when you turn the car off and turn it on. There is no indication when it will go out and it’s not correlated with another condition. It seems to be totally random. If I turn the car off and restart it, it works again. It could be for another half mile, 30 miles or 1 mile, then it will go out again. When I take it to a garage and get diagnostic testing it comes up with nothing being wrong because it resets when the car is started. It’s extremely frustrating and dangerous because I’ll be driving and without warning power steering shuts down. I have been reading online that Honda has a recall on its electric power steering system, on my model and year however it doesn’t cover my Vin number. Why is that? I can’t even find, a fix for the problem. Please advise as to what to do.

NHTSA ODI 11626741

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11615624

IT WAS AN 185/55R16 VENTUS V2 CONCEPT2 H457 AND I HAD BLOWOUTS TWO TIMES, BOTH OF THE BLOWOUTS WERE ON THE BACK TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THE FIRST BLOWOUT HAPPENED A DAY AFTER IT WAS PUT ON TO MY VEHICLE, THE SECOND BLOWOUT WAS ABOUT 2 DAYS AFTER IT WAS PUT ON TO MY VEHICLE. THE SIDEWALL IS TOO THIN AND THATS WHERE THE DAMAGE TO THE TIRE CAN BE SEEN

NHTSA ODI 11593242

Last evening the interior vehicle power (headlights, dash lights, AC/heat fan) intermittently flashed off then back on while driving...when this happened as I arrived home, I completely lost power steering (electronic power steering warning light came on) and could barely turn the steering wheel. Thankfully I was moving at relatively slow speed when I lost power steering, but this could certainly be a life hazard at higher speeds.

NHTSA ODI 11556039

The rear door window motors both failed. At the time of this report they are available for inspection. The safety risk is that back seat passengers could become trapped in the event of a water entry which makes doors difficult or impossible to open. Because the rear windows are typically operated less than the front, the average user would not expect that they have failed (especially if the fronts are working) and the failure would likely go unnoticed, possibly until the emergency situation occurs. The vehicle has not been checked or inspected by any dealer, service center, manufacturer, police, insurance representative, or any person other than myself. However, I have checked the fuses and verified with a voltmeter that the switches have power and are operating correctly thus isolating the failure to the motors. There is no warning lamp or message indicating that the window motors are not functional and I did not experience any symptoms other than the window not moving when the switches were depressed. I noticed the left rear failure first in July 2023 and at that time the right rear was still functional. Approximately a month later the right rear failed. I only thought to make this report because when I searched the internet for troubleshooting and replacement parts I found quite a few other accounts of a variety of Honda models with rear window failure many of them were both, and several auto mechanics indicated that this issue was common. Unless the rear doors use different motors than the front doors, it is possible that the root cause is a wiring/electrical problem and electrical problems have a reputation of eventually causing other seemingly unrelated problems elsewhere in the system.

NHTSA ODI 11550249

I had my airbags serviced in 2016 at a Honda dealership to fix the Takata airbag recall issue. In 2023, I was hit on the front left portion of the car at an estimated 50mph, and no airbags deployed. I contacted Honda about this issue, and they said my insurance company had to do an inspection relating to the airbag failure reasons, but my insurance company said Honda would have had to send an agent to inspect. My car was totaled and sold by the insurance company. I have the official pictures from the insurance company’s inspection to value the car.

NHTSA ODI 11527735

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Fit. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled with a grinding sound coming from the vehicle. Upon restarting the vehicle, the failure persisted with the ABS warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle started rolling forward while in park(P) and the parking brake was activated to stop the vehicle from rolling. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence and replaced the driver’s side CV axle. Upon taking the vehicle to a dealer for an oil change; the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V770000 (Power Train); however, the recall was closed three years prior. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11521347

While my wife was coming to a stop in a parking space, the car suddenly accelerated and jumped over the curb into a pedestrian walkway. The car could not be stopped with the brake and continued moving over the walkway. Afraid that the car would hit a pedestrian or crash into cars on the busy street ahead, she was ready to stop the car by crashing it into a concrete column. Fortunately, she removed the key and the car stopped. A similar incident occurred in 2014 when the car suddenly accelerated while I was​ ​​coming ​to a stop ​at a traffic light. In order to avoid hitting the car in front of me, I stopped by removing the key. Then I drove the car to the dealer. A master mechanic checked​ ​the car but could not duplicate the problem. In 2020, the car again accelerated suddenly while ​stopping at a traffic light. I stopped the car immediately but did not report the incident. After the third incident​,​ we contacted the dealer and stated that we did not want to drive the car ever again because we did not want to risk injuring ourselves or others. We had the car towed to the dealer to be checked. The dealer could not duplicate the problem and they demonstrated safety features of the car that prevent the​ accelerator​ from overpowering the brake. We were not convinced since we use the same foot to operate the accelerator and the brake. Therefore, when the foot is on the brake, nothing is pushing the accelerator. The engine was accelerating by itself, possibly by the engine control software. We then initiated a case with American Honda. We were later informed by an American Honda case manager that their Field Technical Specialist had determined that “the vehicle is functioning according to Honda’s specifications” and that Honda was not going to investigate further. The local dealer agreed to buy the car at market price.

NHTSA ODI 11504644

ECU detected a cylinder #2 misfire, check engine light started blinking while idling. prior, noticed a little bit of misfiring while driving at 60 mph, faint but noticeable. well aware of the plaqued inner cylinder's spark plugs coming loose on these make and models and honda's failed torque spec being changed from for the spark plug being in the cylinder. know this because of forums online. the plugs were torque spec to 20 ft-lbs. checked the #2 cylinder and spark plug was loose/out of the threads. also top piece of spark plug broke off and fell into cylinder. threads completely taken off the cylinder. having a honda dealer taking a look to assess damage. car mileage is 109,500. completely unacceptable and don't really feel confident in driving this vehicle safely anymore. car still has a lot of life left in it. 109,500 miles is still considered low for mainly highway miles. also VSA light came on same time the check engine light started blinking. someone could get hurt and lose control of the vehicle if this not dealt with. car stalled after a bit and lost power, can't imagine what it would be like on the highway. please honda, do a recall on this so other people don't get hurt. plus, i'm sure i'm not the only one who has this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11493393

2013 HONDA FIT. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT REPAIRS RELATED TO FRONT DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OF THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY RECALL REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11423192

2013 HONDA FIT. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING A DEFECTIVE PAINT JOB. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD NOT TOP COAT THEREFORE, WILL BEGIN TO RUST. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11407683

HONDA SENT ME A NOTICE OF THE FOLLOWING RECALL 20V-770. IT HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS AND THERE IS NO RESOLUTION TO THE ISSUE. THE DRIVE SHAFTS ON MY CAR COULD FAIL. I CALLED HONDA AND THEY BASICALLY SAID THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO AT THIS TIME, THAT I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, BUT IF SOMETHING WAS WRONG THEY COULDN'T FIX MY CAR. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT A RENTAL CAR IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEY SAID THAT THAT WASN'T IN THEIR POWER TO DO AT THIS TIME. I KNOW THAT THEY CAN DO THAT BECAUSE I ALSO WENT THROUGH THE AIR BAG RECALL AND WAS WITHOUT MY CAR FOR MONTHS WHILE THOSE PARTS CAME IT. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, HONDA IS BEING NEGLIGENT BECAUSE THEY KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG, THAT IT IS DANGEROUS, YET ALL THE CARS ARE STILL ON THE ROAD. WHAT IF I CRASH BECAUSE OF THIS? WHAT IF I ACCIDENTALLY KILL SOMEONE OR DAMAGE SOMEONE'S PROPERTY?THIS IS GROSS NEGLIGENCE ON HONDA'S PART. I WANT A SOLUTION NOW.

NHTSA ODI 11405261

IN 2019 THE #3 SPARK PLUG CAME OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROADWAY. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED (SEE ATTACHED REPAIR RECEIPT). THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE SAME SPARK PLUG LAST WEEK (MARCH 7, 2021). AGAIN, THIS OCCURRED ON A TWO-LANE ROADWAY AT MODERATE SPEED. THE CAR RAN ROUGH FOR A WEEK OR SO BEFOREHAND, AND FUEL ECONOMY SUFFERED. ON MARCH 7TH, THE CAR LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. A FOUL SMELL FILLED THE CAR. I BECAME DIZZY AND NAUSEOUS FROM EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA ODI 11403168

I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL TODAY (2/8/21) THAT SAYS THERE IS A RECALL ON MY HONDA FIT FOR THE DRIVE SHAFT IN SALT-BELT STATES. THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM YET - BUT SAID IN THE RECALL THAT THEY WOULD UPDATE THE RECALL BY 1/15/21. I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM HONDA. THEY HAVE NOT EVEN OFFERED TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE - WHICH IS CRAZY BECAUSE IF THE DRIVE SHAFT BREAKS I COULD CRASH AND BE KILLED. HONDA SHOULD OFFER ALL VEHICLE OWNERS A RENTAL CAR WHILE THEY ARE "PREPARING REPLACEMENT PARTS" SO WE ARE NOT DRIVING ON THE ROADS WITH A CAR THAT COULD KILL US OR OTHER PEOPLE. OR THEY SHOULD AT LEAST BE REQUIRED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLES DRAFT SHAFTS TO SEE IF THE CORROSION HAS TAKEN PLACE.

NHTSA ODI 11395320

RECEIVED RECALL WARNING

NHTSA ODI 11383670

DRIVERS SIDE CV SHAFT SHEARED UNDERNEATH VIBRATION DAMPENER. I WAS TRYING TO TAKE OFF FROM A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE SHAFT BROKE. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN ONTO A RURAL STATE ROUTE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN QUITE BAD IF ANYONE WAS COMING. AFTER PUSHING THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IT WOULDN'T STAY PUT IN PARK ALMOST LEADING TO IT ROLLING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE I WAS HALFWAY OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE BREAK ALSO HAPPENED INSIDE THE VIBRATION DAMPENER SO IF THERE WERE ANY CLUES OF THIS PART STARTING TO FAIL THEY WERE HIDDEN AND WOULD HAVE BEEN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR A MECHANIC TO SPOT.

NHTSA ODI 11376468

FRONT PASSENGER AXLE BROKE WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS WHEN STOPLIGHT TURNED GREEN. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I FOUND THERE WAS RECALL ON THIS FRONT AXLE FOR 2013 FIT MADE BETWEEN 5/24-7/5/13 FOR THIS FAILURE, BUT HONDA SAYS MY CAR HAD NO RECALL ON FILE SO IT WOULDN'T BE PART OF THIS RECALL. CAR ONLY HAS 59500 MILES. CUSTOMER SERVICE UNABLE TO TELL ME ACTUAL DATE MY CAR MFG AND THAT THEY ARE METICULOUS ON RECALLS. IF THEY'RE SO METICULOUS, WHY DID THEY PUT IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED AXLES IN 3108 CARS? I SUSPECT MINE GOT MISSED IN THE RECALL. I HAVE THE BROKEN AXLE, WHICH I CAN TAKE TO A METALLURGIST IF NECESSARY.

NHTSA ODI 11362025

WITHIN 5 MONTHS BOTH MY DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE AXLE HAVE BROKEN ON MY 2013 HONDA FIT. BOTH TIMES WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THEN A CLICKING NOISE.

NHTSA ODI 11338338

PASSENGER SIDE DRIVE SHAFT BROKE IN TWO PIECES WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP GOING STRAIGHT ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327767

I WAS MAKING A WIDE TURN GOING FORWARD ON A HIGHWAY. I COULDNT COMPLETE THE TURN SUCCESSFULLY BECAUSE THE ROAD WASNT WIDE ENOUGH, SO I STOPPED AND CHANGED GEARS TO REVERSE TO BACK UP. THAT IS WHEN THE AXLE BROKE. IT PROBABLY HAD THE MOST TORQUE ON IT AND PERHAPS I DIDNT GIVE IT ENOUGH TIME TO SHIFT FROM FORWARD TO REVERSE.

NHTSA ODI 11317201

ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 28 MY RIGHT AXLE BROKE. IN HALF. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND WHEN THEY PUT THE CAR UP THEY BROUGHT ME THE BROKEN AXLE WHICH WAS ALL RUSTED. I CONSIDER THIS VERY DANGEROUS AND EVERYONE HAS TOLD ME THIS IS A VERY UNEXPECTED THING TO HAPPEN ON A 2013 CAR. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN HONDA AND VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY IN THIS HAPPENING. THANKFULLY, THIS OCCURRED WHEN I WAS STATIONARY AT A LIGHT IN MY OWN TOWN. THE CAR SEEMED TO BE DRIVING NORMALLY AND I CAME TO A RED LIGHT AND BRAKED AS USUAL. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENS. THE CAR RACED AND THERE WAS CLICKING NOISE. THE CAR WAS IN THE LEFT LANE WHEN IT OCCURRED AND I NEED TO TAKE MY OWN SAFETY INTO MY HANDS BY RUNNING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, NEEDING TO GET HELP TO PUSH THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE FO THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI 11316220