Home · 2018 Honda Fit · Complaints

What 114 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Honda Fit

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (114)Crash / fire / injury (9)Fuel system (41)Electrical system (33)Engine (22)Body & structure (12)Driver assistance (8)Lane Departure (4)Transmission & drivetrain (4)Lights (3)Speed control (3)Airbags (2)

Newest first · 114 complaints · page 3 of 5

Mar 6, 2024Fuel system

I have called several times to the Howdy Honda dealership where i purchased my Honda fit . the response is the same each time that they have not released the Fuel Pump. I have been having issues with my car that is hesitating when i drive and takes a long time to get going up a hill or just even a flat road.

NHTSA ODI 11575871

Feb 4, 2024Lights

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.

NHTSA ODI 11569839

Jan 26, 2024Electrical system

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Fit. The contact stated that at start-up, the fuel and mileage gauge failed to display or displayed unintelligible information preventing the contact from knowing how many miles to empty. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not repaired due to cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11567992

Jan 25, 2024Electrical system

Digital instrument cluster keeps shorting out. Sometimes displays gibberish, sometimes displays nothing at all while the car is driving.

NHTSA ODI 11567691

Jan 23, 2024Electrical system

The instrument cluster on the right side of the dash intermittently fails at random times for unexpected durations. Some days, the screen will fail for days/hours at a time and others will be a minute or so. This is a safety issue because the cars total mileage is read off of this digital display along with the fuel remaining the tank. many other people are having the same issue from the same generation of Honda Fits. This should be a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11567369

Jan 21, 2024Electrical systemBody & structure

Body - constant water leaks in side the font footwells of the car. Sometimes it can be as much as a quart, was taken in to the deal for repair yet is still continues on both passages and driver side. This problem has been note web sites for many years. Electrical - the gauge which indicates the fuel, milage and oil constantly goes of and on. this a short than has been noted on many web sites. Estimated cost take out and re-soder the wires is over $500-

NHTSA ODI 11566826

Dec 13, 2023Body & structure

paint peeling off hood and doors now after already having the roof repainted under Honda extended warranty. now dragging feet on honoring paint peeling off the rest of the problem areas.

NHTSA ODI 11559957

Nov 30, 2023Electrical system

The gauge cluster pod that displays the fuel gauge and the odometer blanks out and/or completely scrambles to gibberish. This is apparently a common problem with a few Honda models and seems to stem from the incorrect manufacturing of the part. This is a safety issue since without a fuel gauge the vehicle can unexpectedly run out of gas at any time, stranding the driver and passengers in precarious situations. Further, without an odometer the owner can miss required scheduled maintenance.

NHTSA ODI 11557698

Oct 13, 2023EngineFuel system

At 74k miles my check engine light came on randomly. Took the car to a mechanic, who turned the light off and advised me to tighten the gas cap. A few weeks later the check engine light came back on. Auto zone said a spark plug needed replacement. About a week later the check engine light, along with many other lights came on. After a lot of research I learned that there is a recurring issue with Hondas (plural) and their fueling system due to direct injection. Leading to misdiagnosis, replacing unnecessary parts, only to be left with a check engine light. Luckily, I received a letter from honda informing me of the warranty extension for certain Fits due to carbon buildup and misfires. I took my fit to the dealer and shared my concerns with the service advisor. I took it to the experts in hopes that if it was a misfire with a DTC of P0300-P0304, they would surely get it right the first time. A few hours later I was informed they found DTC P0420, meaning the catalytic converted needed to be changed. Ignition coils were also faulty, therefore affecting the catalytic converter. CC was covered under the emissions warranty but coils were not. They could not/would not replace the CC unless I agreed to replace the coils. Despite me sharing my concerns the advisor failed to mention the DTC for the coils, which turned out to be P0304. I replaced the coils and CC, paid $885. When I read the invoice and saw DTC P0304, I got upset and asked a different advisor why the carbon cleaning wasn’t performed instead of changing the coils. I was told there wasn’t enough carbon buildup to be the root of the problem and that the technician had years of experience and I could rest assured there was no other way. Fine. I take the car, less than 48 hours later, my check engine light comes on again. I take the car back. This time I am told the car is showing DTC P2198 and they recommend replacing the fuel injectors and fuel pipe! No DTC misfire, so unable to perform carbon cleanup.

NHTSA ODI 11549767

Sep 20, 2023Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Fit. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and started to shake. The check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel injectors had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone where a diagnostic test was performed and produced DTC code: P0420 (Catalyst System Low Efficiency). Additionally, the contact stated that he independently replaced the spark plugs, ignition coils, and the injectors however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that his brother was an independent mechanic and was able to use a code reader and retrieved DTC code: P0420. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11545681

Sep 11, 2023Electrical systemEngineFuel system2 injuries

THIS IS MY SECOND SUBMISSION!!!!!! PLEASE HELP!!!! 2018 Honda Fit Saleena - 1:39 pm EST Submitted for the formal complaint about the harassment and discrimination related to All honda dealerships, Kyle Mitchell and Shakaia (Rep from previous call). Case Management / and Supervisor is reviewing. If the manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner, Please contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at: 1-888-327-4236 or TTY: 1-800-424-9153 or file an online complaint with NHTSA. My company vehicle has fluid leaking on the floor, the check engine light constantly coming on, the rear camera is intermittently inoperable and it smells like something has died in it (mold/mildew). Since I have owned the vehicle, I have reported these issues to Honda dealerships and they have claimed to fix the problems. I paid for an extended warranty and each time the dealership forced me to pay for repeat issues that repeatedly continued to happen. The battery died more than once right after I purchased it. The car had to be towed a few times because of the electrical battery issue. The fluid that was leaking on the floor caused my leg, lungs and mental health to suffer. I am currently under doctors care for the mechanical issues the car has caused. This is my company vehicle and it has been at Honda of Covington since April 2023. American Honda has refused to help me get to the bottom of why multiple dealerships have refused to fix the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11543877

Aug 8, 2023Electrical systemEngineFuel systemCrash1 injury

My company vehicle has fluid leaking on the floor, the check engine light constantly coming on, the rear camera is intermittently inoperable and it smells like something has died in it (mold/mildew). Since I have owned the vehicle, I have reported these issues to Honda dealerships and they have claimed to fix the problems. I paid for an extended warranty and each time the dealership forced me to pay for repeat issues that repeatedly continued to happen. The battery died a more than once right after I purchased it. The car had to be towed a few times because of the electrical battery issue. The fluid that was leaking on the floor caused my leg, lungs and mental health to suffer. I am currently under doctors care for the mechanical issues the car has caused. This is my company vehicle and it has been at Honda of Covington since April 2023. American Honda has refused to help me get to the bottom of why multiple dealerships have refused to fix the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11537190

Jul 30, 2023Engine

VTC actuator grinding noise during cold starts. Dealerships said it’s not a problem.

NHTSA ODI 11535295

Jul 14, 2023Electrical system

What component or system failed or malfunctioned: gauge cluster failure from computer microchip manufacture defect. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? cannot read gas level or when car needs service, which can cause vehicle to stop in middle of road Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer: yes, Capital City Honda Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer: Capital City Honda Were there any symptoms of the problem prior to the failure: dimming and then blank gauge cluster, occurred April 2023 Please see attached dealer diagnosis and other reported cluster failures from Honda owners. This is a widespread issue for Honda that is not being addressed by the manufacturer. This should be a national recall safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11532333

Jul 13, 2023Electrical system

The fuel gauge and odometer digital display shorts out. It will either completely go blank or have digital distortion where the characters are unreadable. I do not know how many miles I have left in my gas tank. I can't get a reading for oil life or how many miles I have traveled. I can't even get a reading on the odometer when I take my car in for service. Occasionally the display will return to normal after the vehicle is running for some time. Other times, it never returns. It seemed worse in colder weather, but the summer temps of 90-100, it is still not reliable and it is functions on occasion. I have not taken it in to be serviced because of potential cost, but can see that others have the same problem from my internet searches. My 2018 Fit has about 45,000 miles on it. This has been happening for the past year. This is a safety concern, because I don't know how much gas I have, or if I will make it to the next service station on long trips. It causes stress and anxiety. The gas tank holds no more than 10 gallons, so I'm stopping more frequently to gas up, for fear I will be stranded on a remote road. Honda is a usually a reliable product. It would be appreciated if Honda recalled this odometer/gas display because no one wants to own a defective and unsafe product. Please make this right, Honda.

NHTSA ODI 11532128

Jul 6, 2023Body & structure

Noticed peeling paint on roof of our 2018 white Honda Fit. This was observed on July 4, 2023 before washing the car.

NHTSA ODI 11530674

May 11, 2023

My ac unit never work great you never feel cold even tho you have it on high. I never own a small car before but I being telling them seeing I got the car and I told them I again today but now their excuse is the is over 36000 miles and /3 years old . No warranty. But before they just didn’t care . When the warranty still active. They don’t care if my kids get hot in car. This company had not being good to me. Dealer Honda just don’t care if customer complains about their problems on car that they sell.they want to charge a lot of money to diagnostic the ac . I even bought an extra warranty for this car. No one it’s honest no more . My husband have the best experience in Toyota I always regret that I never bought my car from them instead. Very upset

NHTSA ODI 11521491

Apr 28, 2023Fuel systemElectrical system

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Fit. The contact stated that on various occasions while his wife was driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power with the ABS, traction control, and other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that occasionally the vehicle failed to restart and was towed to a local dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated, and the fault codes were cleared. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel injector and spark plugs needed to be replaced; however, only the fuel injector was replaced. The contact stated that the failure recurred, and the vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where the spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that his wife was able to pull over and restart the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to Honda of Hackettstown (48 US-46, Hackettstown, NJ 07840) where it remained awaiting further diagnostic tests and repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 11519485

Apr 26, 2023Electrical systemEngine

While driving car the electrical system failed with all safety lights on dashboard turning on. When system goes off the ABS braking system, traction control, and power steering fails. Also noted engine misfiring. This happened when driving on hiway my wife drives the car to work on the hiway this has been a ongoing issue and we have had it to honda 5 times for this exact problem every time except for this last one the say they can not duplicate the problem on the 5th time they wanted to charge her 1300 to fix it but it was covered due to the same issue that has happened just a few months after getting the car something has to be done before we get hurt in the car we are in fear for our safety this happens on the interstate and i have to crawl off the road praying this has been hpping evry few months we contacted honda america and got no help

NHTSA ODI 11519174

Apr 17, 2023Transmission & drivetrainEngine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11517428

Apr 17, 2023Driver assistance

I have had my Honda fit for almost 7 years now and every winter I have an issue with the ADAS system. The car will throw a warning saying the sensor is obstructed and to clean off the windshield. Every time I check to make sure there's nothing obstructing the sensors. If I had to guess, the plastic covering is trapping heat from warming up the car and fogging the glass but I can't do anything about it since the plastic is not removable. It seems like a flaw in the design that operating the car with the heat on in winter can cause issues with the ADAS.

NHTSA ODI 11517431

Apr 6, 2023Backup camera & sensorsEquipment

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Fit. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the infotainment screen failed to illuminate. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V046000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,075.

NHTSA ODI 11515812

Mar 21, 2023Engine

When attempting to start the vehicle, especially on cold mornings, I hear a grinding/rattling noise almost like a grinding clink. I think there is a problem with the starter similar to recalls for other Honda models.

NHTSA ODI 11513072

Feb 22, 2023Fuel system

Similar problem experienced as the TSB issued for 2015-2016 Honda Fits. Our 2018 exhibits the same issues as the years listed in the TSB below: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10208198-0001.pdf Check engine lights and stumbles/misfires deeming the car unsafe to drive. The NHTSA should encourage/mandate the entire 2015-2020 Honda Fit model run to be covered by the TSB above, since the issues/symptoms are identical in model year 2018+ cars as they are in 2015-2016. Eagerly awaiting for oyu to do something about this safety issue. Thank you!

NHTSA ODI 11508586

Jan 31, 2023Fuel systemDriver assistance

The car will randomly shut off the ACC, collision warning, and lane assist. The dealership says this is due to an error with the fuel injection system and fuel injectors need replaced. There Was a similar recall on the 2015-2916 Honda fit, but was supposedly fixed on later cars. This is still the same flaw but for some reason affects these other safety systems too.

NHTSA ODI 11504600

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Working with the data? Download all 114 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2018 Honda Fit verdict →