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

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

MY 2013 HONDA FIT HAS ONLY 76,000 ON IT. WHILE DRIVING THE RADIO SHUT OFF, HEAD LIGHTS DIMMED, DASH BOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED AND I LOST POWER STEERING. TOOK IT TO THE HONDA SERVICE STATION IN JASPER ALABAMA AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE ENGINE LIGHT AND STEERING WHEEL WITH EXCLAMATION POINT SHOWED UP ON THE DASH BOARD. CAR LOOSES POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN COMES BACK ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. WITH A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON IT THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE ON THIS FORUM TO HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11290323

IT WAS RAINING. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 65 MPH. AT THIS POINT, THE ROAD CURVES TO THE RIGHT. I HAD JUST GONE THROUGH A DIP IN THE ROAD AND I THINK I MAY HAVE BEEN HYDROPLANING. THE VSA LIGHT CAME ON AND THE RIDE BECAME VERY CHOPPY. I STARTED PUMPING THE BRAKES AND I TRIED TO STEER MY CAR TO STAY IN THE LANE BUT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T MOVE IT. I CONTINUED ON A STRAIGHT PATH EVEN THOUGH THE ROAD CURVED. I WAS ON THE LEFT HAND SHOULDER, HEADING OFF THE ROAD COMPLETELY, STILL TRYING TO STEER TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE VSA LIGHT ABRUPTLY TURNED OFF. AT THIS POINT THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY UNLOCKED AND I INADVERTENTLY PULLED IT HARD TO THE RIGHT; SENDING ME ACROSS 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC, ACROSS THE RIGHT HAND SHOULDER, OVER A SMALL CURB AND INTO THE DIRT/DESERT. AS THIS WAS HAPPENING, I WAS ABLE TO CORRECT MY STEERING BACK TO THE LEFT BUT NOT BEFORE I WAS COMPLETELY OFF THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HIT A SMALL HILL NEXT TO IT WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR. AT THIS POINT, I MANAGED TO GET MY VEHICLE BACK ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE HONDA DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY SAID MY TIRES WERE BALD WHICH CAUSED ME TO HYDROPLANE. REGARDLESS OF THE CONDITION OF THE TIRES, WHEN THE VSA IS ENGAGED, I SHOULD STILL BE ABLE TO STEER THE CAR BUT I COULDN'T. THE TECHNICIAN RAN THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST(S) AND SAID HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG. SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG WHEN YOUR STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AT CLOSE TO 65 MPH WHEN A SAFETY FEATURE IS ENGAGED.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A SUDDEN ACCELERATION, WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER WHICH BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES DUE TO COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED, TRADED IN, AND SOLD. THE DEALER MARIN HONDA (2 SHORELINE PKWY, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901 (415) 968-8479) REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ODI 11241804

TAKATA RECALL HONDA OF SEATTLE ALREADY REPLACED MY TAKATA AIRBAG. I WAS DRIVING AND HIT (T-BONED) ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT RAN A STOP SIGN. THE NEW AIRBAG SMOKED BUT DIDN'T INFLATE UNTIL AFTER I WAS OUT OF THE CAR. MY BODY HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, BRUISING MY CHEST AND STOMACH. SEATTLE POLICE DEPT INCIDENT #19-283454

NHTSA ODI 11241897

ON A CURVY BACK ROAD. HAD NO CONTROL OF STEERING.HIT AN EMBANKMENT AND ROLLED OVER. TOTALED VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11231870

I BUMPED INTO A RAISED MEDIAN AND THE AIRBAG CAME OUT AND THE WHEELS GOT STUCK IN THE MEDIAN. ON WHEELER ROAD. AT 10 TO 20 MPH. I HAVE AN AIRBAG RECALL BUT I HAVE TRIED CONTACTING YOU BY PHONE AND MAIL BUT IT WOULDN'T ACCEPT MY PHONE #. I GOT HUGE BRUISES AND SMOKE INHALATION FROM THE AIRBAG GOING OFF. IT SHOULDN'T HAVE. THE RADIO AND SEATBELT DOESN'T WORK EITHER GUESS IT AFFECTED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PLEASE HELP ME. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11185435

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA FIT. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT INADVERTENTLY DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS UNABLE TO BE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE SLID ACROSS THE STREET AND WENT THROUGH A NEIGHBOR'S BACK YARD FENCE BEFORE LANDING ON A SNOW EMBANKMENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO IDE HONDA (875 PANORAMA TRAIL S, ROCHESTER, NY 14625, (585) 586-2820) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, BUT HONDA INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR IF THERE WERE ANY INJURIES REPORTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ODI 11073053

INCIDENT AIRBAG DEPORT ON STOP SIGN AND REPLACED BY LOCAL DEAL BUT NO RECALL WAS CALL OR MADE FOR THIS CAR

NHTSA ODI 11043091

MY 2013 HONDA FIT CAUGHT FIRE ON 14JUN2016. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE REMAINS UNKNOWN, BUT IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS HAVING TO DO WITH FIRES WITH THIS VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE NJ TURNPIKE, AND WHILE I WAS IN THE CAR, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE BEGAN SMOKING, THERE WAS A FIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AS WELL AS ON THE FLOOR IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE DRIVER/PASSENGER SEATS AND THE BACK SEATS. I SUFFERED SECOND AND THIRD DEGREE BURNS ON MY HANDS AND ARMS AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT, WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, HAD SEVERAL FOLLOW UPS WITH THE BURN SURGEON AND ALSO HAD TO START THERAPY FOR POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THIS INCIDENT IS HIGHLY NECESSARY.

NHTSA ODI 10905055

THIS CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, IT WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS HONDA FIT WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AT A CONSTRUCTION ZONE IN SUBURBAN CARY, NC WHEN IT WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A SMALL TRUCK THAT WAS GOING APPROX. 45+ MPH. THE IMPACT PUSHED THE FIT FORWARD INTO SOME CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS. THE TRUCK DRIVER WAS FOUND FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CRASH AND WAS NOT INJURED. FOR THE FIT, AIR BAGS INFLATED FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE BUT NONE FOR THE DRIVER. FORTUNATELY, THE DRIVER WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE FIT. AS SHOWN IN PICTURES (ATTACHED), THE DRIVER' SEAT TIPPED BACKWARDS FROM IT'S UPRIGHT POSITION. THE HEAD REST COMPLETELY FELL OFF AND ENDED UP IN THE BACK SEAT, GIVING THE DRIVER MINIMAL PROTECTION. IN ADDITION, A METAL BAR UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS THRUST FORWARD, CAUSING A DEEP AND LARGE HEMATOMA IN THE DRIVER'S LEG.

NHTSA ODI 10892716

TOOK 2013 FIT TO DEALER DUE TO CAR NOISE UNDERNEATH AND CAR WANTING TO STALL AT STOPS, OR WHILE WAITING FOR LIGHTS TO CHANGE. MECHANIC FOUND DEBRIS/PART OF A FEATHER ON MAP SENSOR OF WHICH HE KEPT. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS RARELY EVER HAPPENS TO HONDA CARS AND WARNED THAT MY EXTENSIVE WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED DOES NOT COVER DEBRIS FROM ROADS. I AM SHOCKED TO READ THAT THERE ARE VENTS BELOW THE LICENSE PLATE HOLDER NEAR THE ROAD, WIDE ENOUGH TO SIGNIFICANTLY EXPOSE THE ENGINE TO DAMAGE FROM ROAD DEBRIS SUCH AS A BIG ROCK, THIS CAUSES ROAD DEBRIS TO ENTER AND HIT THE A/C CONDENSER ONLY INCHES BEHIND THE OPENING. IN MY CASE, ONE WEEK AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR STALLING CAUSED BY MAP SENSOR DEBRIS I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT. THE FRONT BUMPER FELL OFF THE HONDA FIT AND EXPOSED 4 VERY LARGE, ALTHOUGH DEAD, INTACT BIRDS NEXT TO MY ENGINE WITH MANY FEATHERS, TWO ON EACH SIDE OF THE FRONT BUMPER. THE POLICE OFFICE TOLD ME TO CONTACT HONDA AS THEY NEEDED TO BE MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY. TOLD ME THAT I CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISPUTE SETTLEMENT LOCATED IN MY CAR MANUAL IF I WANTED. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. WHY HASN'T HONDA BEEN FORCED TO PROVIDE A GRILL COVER OR OTHER FORM OF PROTECTION?? I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THE HONDA FIT 2013 IS A VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE AND MAY CAUSED ME MANY COSTLY REPAIRS. I HOPE SOMEONE HEARS ME AND ADDRESSES THIS PROBLEM BEFORE A FATAL ACCIDENT OCCURS. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE PICTURES OF THE FOUR LARGE ADULT BIRDS LYING INSIDE THE FRONT BUMPER OF MY CAR AS EVIDENCE THAT HONDA "MUST" ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10713951

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA FIT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTING TO MERGE, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED PERMANENT NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, UNDERCARRIAGE, AND HATCHBACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. TWO MONTHS LATER, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO A TRAFFIC CIRCLE, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HATCHBACK AND BUMPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER THE FIRST CRASH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TECHNICIAN REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA ODI 10683265

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE SIDEWALK BUT WAS SHE ABLE TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BEFORE THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACT DID NOT FILE A POLICE REPORT AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20.

NHTSA ODI 10630753

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE VEHICLE WAS THAT THE BATTERY WAS DISCHARGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THERE WAS NOT A SECOND DIAGNOSIS OFFERED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,900. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. IT HAS BEEN OVER 90 DAYS. UPDATED 08/02/16.*JB UPDATED08/1/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI 10595487

MY NEW 2013 HONDA FIT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. I BOUGHT A NEW 2013 HONDA FIT ON AUGUST 10, 2013. ON AUGUST 23RD THE CAR WOULD NOT START, NEEDING A JUMP START FROM A MECHANIC. I DROVE THE CAR TO DCH HONDA IN OXNARD. THE MILEAGE ON THE ODOMETER AT THE SERVICE CENTER WAS 491 MILES. THE CAR WAS TESTED AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND AND I DROVE THE CAR BACK HOME. THE SERVICE REPORT SAYS: 'CUSTOMER STATES IT HAD TO BE JUMPSTARTED, ADVISE. CND INSPECTED SYSTEM. UNABLE TO VERIFY CUSTOMERS CONCERN AT THIS TIME. BATTERY CHECKS OUT OKAY AT THIS TIME..WAS INSPECTED/TESTED 3 TIMES..' ON JANUARY 17TH WHEN I OPENED THE TWO REAR WINDOWS USING THE DRIVERS SEAT SWITCH, THEY WENT DOWN ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY AND WERE STUCK THERE. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY REMAINED STUCK. THEY DID GO BACK UP TO THE CLOSED POSITION, BUT NOT DOWN ALL THE WAY. ALSO THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW WAS ERRATIC. SOMETIMES GOING UP AND DOWN AND SOMETIMES STICKING. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FROM MY COMPUTER ASKING FOR AN APPOINTMENT FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS AND TOOK THE FIRST APPOINTMENT AVAILABLE WHICH WAS FOR FRIDAY JANUARY 24, AT 1PM. ON THE AFTERNOON OF JANUARY 20TH MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE, ALL THE WINDOWS ROLLED WITH NO ONE IN IT. THE CAR HAD 1300 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I WAS INSIDE MY HOME AT THE TIME AND HAD NOT BEEN OUTSIDE THAT DAY AND THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN. I NOTIFIED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND CALLED DCH HONDA WHO INSTRUCTED ME TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THEIR SERVICE CENTER WHICH I DID. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE HONDA DEALERSHIP SINCE JANUARY 20 AND IS STILL THERE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DCH SERVICE MANAGER THAT HONDA COMPANY DOES NOT FIND THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN INVESTIGATION OF THE FIRE AND I HAVE ASKED FOR A COPY BUT THEY HAVEN'T SENT IT TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10573184

I WAS DOING A PARALLEL PARKING ON A QUIET CITY STREET. I WAS DOING 3 OR LESS MILES PER HOUR WHEN SUDDENLY MY BRAKES FAILED AND MY CAR CONTINUED TO GO! IT RAN INTO THE SIDEWALK AND SOME BUSHES. I WAS HORRIFIED NOT BEING IN CONTROL ANYMORE. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE WITH MY KEY. THE FRONT OF MY CAR HAS BEEN DAMAGED A LOT. IT IS AT A MECHANIC AND BODYWORK SHOP. I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO SUE THE MAKER OF MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10521166

I WAS ENTERING A PARKING PLACE AT APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, TRYING TO ADJUST THE ANGLE OF ENTRY. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR BOLTED FORWARD. I APPLIED THE BRAKE BUT THE ACCELERATION WAS TOO FAST TO KEEP THE BRAKE FROM STOPPING THE CAR FROM COLLIDING WITH THE GUARD RAIL. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO EJECT. THE HOOD WAS DENTED, THE RIGHT FENDER AND BUMPER WERE DISENGAGED FROM THE BODY AND THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WAS BROKEN. THE REPAIR CAME TO OVER $10,000. IF THE GUARD RAIL HADN'T STOPPED THE CAR IT WOULD HAVE GONE OVER FROM THE 6TH FLOOR TO THE 5TH FLOOR. FORTUNATELY MY PASSENGER AND I WERE NOT INJURED DUE TO THE AIR BAGS EJECTING. MY CONCERN WITH THIS CAR IS THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS TOO "TOUCHY." THE DEALER HAD HIS MECHANIC CHECK THE CAR AFTER IT WAS FIXED DECLARING THAT THIS WAS THE NATURE OF THAT MODEL. HAD I KNOWN THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR. I'M STILL WARY ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR THREE MONTHS LATER. *TR

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