Which Honda Fit years should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2015 as the Fit years with the most reported problems. The 2009 model year has the highest complaint index at 100, tied to a high share of airbag complaints.

What is the best year for the Honda Fit?

The 2017 and 2020 model years rank as Best, with complaint indexes of 0 and 8 respectively. The 2016 and 2018 model years also rank Good, with indexes of 25 and 42.

Are early Honda Fit models unreliable?

The 2007-2009 Fit years show elevated complaint indexes (92, 83, and 100) with airbag and electrical system complaints being the most common reported issues, along with 11, 8, and 11 recall campaigns respectively.

Does the Honda Fit have airbag recalls?

Yes. Multiple model years, including 2007, 2008, and 2009, were subject to separate airbag inflator replacement recall campaigns tied to Airbags being the top overall problem area at 24% of all complaints.

Why are the 2011 and 2012 Honda Fit rated Caution instead of Good?

Both years have relatively low complaint indexes of 33 and 17, but their verdicts were capped to Caution because each has 11 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.

Honda Fit Best and Worst Years (2007–2020)

The Honda Fit years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2015, based on NHTSA complaints and recalls. The 2009 has the highest complaint index at 100, driven by airbag issues, while 2017 (index 0) and 2020 (index 8) are the best-rated years.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2007 Avoid 2008 Avoid 2009 Avoid 2015 Best 2017 Best 2020

Model years: 13; 2007–2020
NHTSA complaints: 2,194
Recall campaigns: 34
Crashes reported: 149
Fires reported: 18
Top problem area: Airbags

Fit Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Honda Fit problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2007	Avoid	92	370	20	6	11	Electrical System	30	—
2008	Avoid	83	217	28	2	8	Airbags	30	—
2009	Avoid	100	287	23	2	11	Airbags	30	—
2010	Caution	67	183	19	1	12	Airbags	30	—
2011	Caution	33	113	8	1	11	Airbags	30	—
2012	Caution	17	113	6	0	11	Airbags	30	4★
2013	Caution	58	176	14	4	10	Airbags	30.5	4★
2015	Avoid	75	283	12	1	4	Electrical System	34	5★
2016	Good	25	120	5	0	1	Electrical System	34	5★
2017	Best	0	43	0	0	0	Electrical System	34	5★
2018	Good	42	117	4	0	4	Fuel System	33	5★
2019	Caution	50	136	9	1	6	Fuel System	33	5★
2020	Best	8	36	1	0	4	Collision Avoidance & Cameras	33	5★

Fit years to avoid: what went wrong

2009 Honda Fit Index 100 · 287 complaints · 11 recalls

The 2009 Fit has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, ranking worst overall with 287 complaints. Airbags dominate at 36% of complaints, followed by Steering at 16% and Transmission & Powertrain at 11%. Median mileage at failure was 60,250. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns, including multiple airbag inflator replacement actions. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes and vehicles unexpectedly accelerating or failing to stop when brakes were applied.

2009 airbags problems →2009 steering problems →2009 transmission & powertrain problems →

2007 Honda Fit Index 92 · 370 complaints · 11 recalls

The 2007 Fit posts a complaint index of 92 and ranks as the second-worst year, with 370 total complaints. Electrical System and Steering issues each made up 23% of complaints, followed by Structure & Body at 19% and Airbags at 18%. Owners reported failures around a median of 60,840 miles. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for this year, including drive shaft inspection and dual airbag inflator replacement campaigns. Sample complaints describe airbags failing to deploy in frontal crashes and sudden loss of braking control.

2007 electrical system problems →2007 steering problems →2007 structure & body problems →

2008 Honda Fit Index 83 · 217 complaints · 8 recalls

The 2008 Fit carries a complaint index of 83 and ranks third-worst, with 217 complaints. Airbags account for 26% of complaints, with Structure & Body at 22% and Engine at 17%. Median mileage at failure reached 74,000. NHTSA recorded 8 recall campaigns, including two separate airbag inflator replacement campaigns. Owners described airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed collisions and brake-related incidents involving sudden loss of stopping power.

2008 airbags problems →2008 structure & body problems →2008 engine problems →

2015 Honda Fit Index 75 · 283 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2015 Fit shows a complaint index of 75 and ranks fourth-worst, with 283 complaints. Electrical System issues make up 42% of complaints, the largest share of any avoid-year problem area, with Engine at 17% and Fuel System at 15%. Median mileage at failure was 47,500. NHTSA recorded 4 recall campaigns, including a transmission software update and an ignition coil wiring replacement. Owners described sudden unintended acceleration and brake failure during low-speed maneuvers.

2015 electrical system problems →2015 engine problems →2015 fuel system problems →

Most common Honda Fit problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Airbags535 (24%)
Electrical System481 (22%)
Engine291 (13%)
Structure & Body233 (11%)
Steering212 (10%)
Other195 (9%)
Transmission & Powertrain192 (9%)
Fuel System190 (9%)
Brakes100 (5%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires78 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

Which Honda Fit years should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2015 as the Fit years with the most reported problems. The 2009 model year has the highest complaint index at 100, tied to a high share of airbag complaints.
What is the best year for the Honda Fit?: The 2017 and 2020 model years rank as Best, with complaint indexes of 0 and 8 respectively. The 2016 and 2018 model years also rank Good, with indexes of 25 and 42.
Are early Honda Fit models unreliable?: The 2007-2009 Fit years show elevated complaint indexes (92, 83, and 100) with airbag and electrical system complaints being the most common reported issues, along with 11, 8, and 11 recall campaigns respectively.
Does the Honda Fit have airbag recalls?: Yes. Multiple model years, including 2007, 2008, and 2009, were subject to separate airbag inflator replacement recall campaigns tied to Airbags being the top overall problem area at 24% of all complaints.
Why are the 2011 and 2012 Honda Fit rated Caution instead of Good?: Both years have relatively low complaint indexes of 33 and 17, but their verdicts were capped to Caution because each has 11 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.