ALL FRONT LAMPS HAVE FAILED REPEATEDLY, INCLUDING LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT. HEADLAMPS HAVE FAILED FOUR TIMES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED FOR SERVICE UNDER SAFETY RECALL NOTICE, BUT LIGHTS CONTINUE TO FAIL. *TR
2008 Honda Fit complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2008 record →
2008 HONDA FIT SPORT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DESIGN DEFECT IN SEAT ADJUSTMENT LEVER. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO THE EXIT THE VEHICLE, HER PANTS LEG BECAME HOOKED ON THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT LEVER LOCATED JUST BELOW THE CUSHION ON THE LOWER LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. BEING UNAWARE OF HER PANTS LEG BEING CAUGHT, WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO EXIT SHE FELL TO THE GROUND. THE FORCE OF HER FALL AND PANTS BEING CAUGHT, CAUSED THE SEAT TO IMMEDIATELY MOVE COMPLETELY IN THE REVERSE POSITION. SHE HIT THE GROUND FACE FIRST TO THE PAVEMENT, ALSO CATCHING HERSELF WITH HER HANDS. HER GLASSES FLEW OFF AND WERE SCRATCHED, HER LIP WAS BUSTED ON THE INSIDE AND BLEEDING AND BOTH OF HER HANDS WERE DIRTY AND BURNING FROM THE ASPHALT. SHE LOST A SMALL AMOUNT OF SKIN ON HER LEFT KNEE AND ALSO SKINNED HE LEFT ELBOW TO THE SIZE OF A DIME. AS TIME WENT BY, WITHIN AN HOUR HER LEFT HAND WAS HURTING MORE AND MORE AND IT BEGAN TO SWELL. SHE ALSO SUFFERED INJURIES TO HER CHEST AREA.
MY 2008 HONDA FIT SOMETIMES EXPERIENCES LOSS OF BRAKING POWER WHEN IT HAS BEEN STARTED AFTER SITTING FOR MANY HOURS. THIS BEHAVIOR IS NOT ALWAYS PRESENT, BUT IS INTERMITTENT, PERHAPS OCCURRING ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME. THERE IS A VERY LARGE LOSS OF BRAKING POWER, SUCH THAT THE CAR WILL ROLL TO A STOP, EVEN IF I APPLY STRONG PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL OR IF I PUMP THE BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL CAN BE DEPRESSED ONLY A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TRAVEL WHEN THIS BEHAVIOR OCCURS, AND THE PEDAL DOES NOT GO TO THE FLOOR. IF I WAIT WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND IN "PARK" FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THEN THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY, AND THE BRAKES WORK NORMALLY. I HAD BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN SPRING OF 2011 FROM ITS FIRST OWNER, AND EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM FOR THE FIRST TIME IN APPROXIMATELY JULY 2012. SINCE THAT TIME, THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE COMMON. *TR
WHEN I BACKED OUT OF MY DAUGHTER'S DRIVEWAY, I TRIED TO SHIFT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FROM PARK TO REVERSE. IT CLICKED BUT WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE AS I LIFTED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE. IT ROLLED FORWARD SLIGHTLY. I PUT IT BACK IN PARK AGAIN AND DECIDED TO TRY ONCE MORE. THERE WAS NO FLOOR MAT ON THE FLOOR. THERE WERE NO CARS COMING AT THIS POINT. I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND REMOVED MY FOOT SLOWLY FROM THE BRAKE. THE CAR FLEW INTO THE STREET WITH RAPID ACCELERATION AND I COULDN'T BRAKE FOR AN ONCOMING CAR, WHICH I CRASHED INTO. THE FITS LEFT TAIL LIGHT AND BUMPER WERE HIT AT SUCH AN ANGLE AND IMPACT THAT MY CAR SPUN FORWARD AND THE TRANSMISSION MOVED INTO DRIVE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR AND IT WENT ZOOMING ACROSS MY DAUGHTER'S LAWN, ALMOST HITTING A HUGE PALM TREE AND A UTILITY POLE. IT THEN SPUN AROUND AND FINALLY STOPPED BEFORE IT ALMOST CRASHED INTO MY DAUGHTER'S HOUSE WHERE MY GRANDSON WAS WATCHING BEHIND THE WINDOW. THE OCCUPANTS OF THE OTHER CAR IN THE CRASH SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS AND WERE WILLING TO TESTIFY TO THAT FACT. THE POLICE REPORT LISTS MECHANICAL FAILURE AS THE CAUSE. THE HONDA FIT WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND REPAIRED AT A COST OF $4400. THE REPAIR PEOPLE WOULD NOT TEST DRIVE IT BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID TO. THEY DEMANDED THAT THE CAR BE TOWED TO THE HONDA DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER EXPERIENCED THE RAPID ACCELERATION PROBLEM TOO AS HE WAS MOVING THE CAR TO THE TOW TRUCK. HE HAD TO
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD BRAKE TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. NEITHER WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
2008 HONDA FIT (AUTOMATIC) STALLS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN "DRIVE" WHEN DRIVING AT A SLOW/DECREASED SPEED (PARKING INTO A PARKING SPOT OR STARTING TO ACCELLERATE FROM A STOP) OR WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT. THERE ARE NO "SERVICE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON". THIS STALL IN THE ENGINE OCCURS REGARDLESS IF VEHICLE IS COLD OR WARMED UP. HONDA DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. COST $210.00. PAID FOR SERVICE TO BE PREFORMED AT HONDA DEALERSHIP. MY CAR STALLED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY. I HESITATE TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE STALL IS INTERMITTENT AND DO NOT WANT TO CAUSE A VEHICLE COLLISION. VEHICLES DRIVING BEHIND ME HAVE NO IDEA WHEN VEHICLE IS GOING TO STALL INSTEAD OF MOVING. VERY HIGH POTENTIAL FOR COLLISIONS. THERE IS A HONDA RECALL FOR THE 2009 AND 2010 HONDA FIT FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THE 2008 SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE SAME RECALL (SEE BELOW). RECALL ID # 86874 - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING RECALL DATE FEB 17, 2011 COMPONENT ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING MODEL AFFECTED FIT POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED 97201 RECALL DATE: FEB 17, 2011 MODEL AFFECTED: 2009 HONDA FIT SUMMARY: HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 HONDA FIT VEHICLES. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE FOUR SPRING ASSEMBLIES ON THE ENGINE'S VARIABLE VALVE TIMING AND LIFT ELECTRONIC CONTROL (VTEC) SYSTEM TO FAIL. CONSEQUENCES: A FAILURE OF THE SPRING ASSEMBLIES MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL DURING OPERATION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE TH
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN LEAKING THROUGH THE DOOR SEALS COMPLETELY SOAKING THE REAR CARPET CAUSING MOLD TO GROW AND PUDDLES TO FORM. HONDA HAS ISSUED RECALLS FOR LEAKING WATER INTO SWITCH AREAS BUT DENIES ALL KNOWLEDGE OF THIS ISSUE. ANY INTERNET SEARCH WILL BRING UP HUNDREDS OF 2007 AND 2008 HONDA FITS WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. THE MOLD ISSUE HAS RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE AND LOWERED ANY RESALE VALUE. DEALERSHIPS WANT APPROXIMATELY $400 TO JUST DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND THE HONDA CORPORATION WILL NOT HELP IN ANY WAY WITH THE PROBLEM. *TR
BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND DRIVING/FOG LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. HI-BEAMS CONTINUED TO WORK. EVENTUALLY REPLACED LIGHT BULB AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. PROBLEM HAS RECURRED, AGAIN WITH BOTH LOW BEAM AND FOG LIGHTS NOT WORKING OCCASIONALLY. NOW SUSPECT A SWITCH PROBLEM. *TR
I WAS CASUAL DRIVING WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO NOT RESPOND TO THE AMOUNT OF ACCELERATION GIVEN. FIRST GEAR WAS ALSO HAVING A PROBLEM ENGAGING THEN THE REST OF THE GEARS BEGAN TO FOLLOW. I WAS ABOUT TO VISIT MY FAMILY FOR THE WEEKEND WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC MY CAR DIDN'T RESPOND AND CONTINUOUSLY REVVED IN HIGH RPMS. I WAS MOVING 30 ON A 65. I ONLY HAVE ROUGHLY 30000 MILES AND HAD BOUGHT THIS NEW 4 YEARS AGO, ALMOST TO DATE. I'VE DRIVEN MANUAL ALL LIFE AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. THIS CAN BE A POTENTIAL DANGER AS TRACTOR TRAILERS AND BIGGER CARS COULD EASILY HAVE CRUSHED ME AS I MERGED BUT LUCKILY I HAD DRIVEN ONTO THE SHOULDER. *TR
PURCHASED THIS CAR AS A CERTIFIED USED CAR IN NOVEMBER 2010 FROM TARRYTOWN HONDA. NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF STOPPING ON THE ROAD WITH THIS CAR SINCE JUNE 2011 BUT THIS IS THE LATEST INCIDENT. PREVIOUS INCIDENT ALSO REPORTED ON THIS WEBSITE. ALSO FILED COMPLAINT WITH AMERICAN HONDA IN SEPTEMBER 2011 (CASE#N0122011-09-0701741) AND FILED FOR NYS LEMON LAW ARBITRATION IN 2011 BUT NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE. CAR DASHBOARD LIGHTING STARTED TO GO WHILE DRIVING AND STEERING DIFFICULT. CAR STOPPED AFTER COMING OFF OF BROOKLYN BRIDGE ON 5/10/12 AND HAD TO BE FRANTICALLY PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH HELP OF GOOD SAMARITAN AND MY PASSENGER BECAUSE HAZARD LIGHTS WOULDN'T REMAIN ON. CAR WAS TOWED TO HONDA DEALERSHIP BY AAA. CAR COMPLETELY DIED ON THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC WITH STEERING IMPOSSIBLE AND HAZARD LIGHTS NOT OPERABLE. DEALERSHIP STATES THAT ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY NEED REPLACEMENT - FOR THE SECOND TIME IN ONE YEAR! I BELONG TO A HONDA FIT ONLINE FORUM WHERE OTHER HONDA FIT OWNERS COMPLAIN OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT IN JUNE 2011 AND I MAYBE INJURED OR KILLED IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS CAR. *TR
AT START-UP THERE SEEMS TO BE ENOUGH BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM FOR ONE BRAKING; THE NEXT TIME I HIT THE BRAKES IT GOES TO THE FLOOR AS IF THERE IS NO POWER BRAKE ASSIST. THERE ARE BRAKES THERE, BUT IT TAKES A HUGE AMOUNT OF FORCE AND IF YOU'RE NOT EXPECTING IT WOULD BE EASY TO HIT SOMETHING. IT HAPPENS 50% OF THE TIME I START THE VEHICLE (AFTER SITTING 8+ HOURS). THE ISSUE IS WORSE WHEN IN REVERSE (LOWER GEAR AND THUS MORE POWER FROM THE ENGINE?). THE SECOND DEALER I WENT TO SAID THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NO KNOWN REPAIR. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, A CIVIC OWNER SAID SHE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE DEALERS TOLD HER THAT IT IS "NORMAL". THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME TO LET THE CAR WARM UP FOR 2-MINUTES BEFORE DRIVING. A YEAR AGO, I HAD 32,000 MILES WHEN THIS FIRST OCCURRED 20% OF THE TIME; NOW I HAVE 76,000 MILES AND IT OCCURS 50% OF THE TIME. I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT SOME PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS MAY THINK THE BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL, WHEN YOU HAVE TO PUSH EXTREMELY HARD TO GET THEM TO WORK (AS WHEN YOUR BRAKE BOOSTER FAILS). IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO STOP EVEN THOUGH I'M 6'7", 200 POUNDS, VERY STRONG AND I'M A HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR SO I'M PREPARED FOR THINGS TO GO WRONG. *TR
MY HONDA FIT REPEATEDLY STALLS FROM COLD ENGINE STARTS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING REGULARLY AND RANDOMLY FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. IT WILL STALL BOTH WHEN AT A STOP (SUCH AS AT A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN) AND AT SLOW SPEED, SUCH AS WHEN PULLING OUT OF A DRIVE OR BACKING UP. THIS STOPS HAPPENING ONCE THE ENGINE WARMS UP. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO TWO MECHANICS, NEITHER OF WHOM HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THIS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH JUST MY VEHICLE AND NOT BOTHERED TO REPORT THE PROBLEM TO SAFECAR.GOV, EXCEPT THAT WHEN I DO AN INTERNET SEARCH ABOUT MY PROBLEM, I FIND THAT MANY, MANY OTHER OWNERS OF 2008 FITS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS ALSO A "STALL" ISSUE RECALL FOR 2009-2010 FITS. THANK YOU. *JS
WATER LEAKING THROUGH REAR HATCH WEATHER SEAL. ORIGINALLY THOUGHT WATER CAME THROUGH REAR HATCH WHENEVER I OPENED IT TO GET THINGS DURING A STORM.I BEGAN TO REALIZE THAT WATER WOULD ACCUMULATE WHEN IT RAINED EVEN WHEN THE HATCH WAS NEVER OPENED. I STARTED TO HEAR SPLASHING TYPE SOUNDS THINKING IT WAS THE FUEL OR A LOW COOLANT LEVEL. A FEW MONTHS AGO I WAS VACUUMING THE CAR AND LIFTED UP THE REAR FLOOR COVERING OVER THE TIRE WELL AND DISCOVERED AT LEAST TWO GALLONS OF WATER ALMOST SUBMERGING THE SPARE TIRE. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS I STARTED TO OBSERVE WATER DRIPPING DOWN THROUGH A PLASTIC COVER THAT HOUSES A UTILITY HOOK ON THE CAR'S CEILING. THE HEADLINER ALSO WAS LEAKING NEAR THE HATCH .I NOW CHECK THE TIRE WELL AFTER IT RAINS AND IT NEVER FAILS THAT THE TIRE WELL AND SURROUNDING AREA ARE WET. I CAN ONLY USE THE DEFROST SETTING BECAUSE IF I DON'T THE WINDOWS WILL FOG UP. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THE REAR SEAT CARPETING GETTING DAMP EVEN WHEN ONLY THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS USED DURING A STORM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS DOWN PLAYED THE SITUATION SUGGESTING I HAVE THE WEATHER SEALS REPLACED BY THEM WITH A CHARGE FOR THE PART AND LABOR. I SPOKE TO HONDA OF AMERICA AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE DIAGNOSED FOR A FEE. I HAVE SPENT SEVERAL MONTHS INVESTIGATING ON MY OWN AND HAVE REACHED MY OWN DIAGNOSIS THAT THE WEATHER SEALS ON HONDA FITS ARE DEFECTIVE. I AM ABOUT READY TO TRADE THE CAR IN FOR SOMETHING ELSE BESIDES A HONDA. I LOVE THE CAR BUT CAN ONLY FORESEE MORE AGGRAVATION DOWN TH
THE SAME RECURRING PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT A YEAR OR SO. IN THE MORNING WHEN I START MY CAR, ESPECIALLY WORSE IN THE WINTER, MY CAR WILL STALL OUT 2 TO 3 TIMES JUST WHILE WARMING UP. WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM AND I START TO DRIVE IT STALLS OUT IN THE ROAD AT LEAST 1 OR 2 MORE TIMES. I HAVE HAD THE HONDA DEALER I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM AS WELL AS MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. I HAVE HAD VALVES AND SENSORS CHANGED AS WELL AS BATTERY AND HAD FUEL INJECTORS CLEAN. IT IS INCREDIBLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THESE CONDITIONS ESPECIALLY WITH IT STALLING OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY INTERSECTIONS. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. *TR
I STARTED BUILDING CONDENSATION UP IN MY CAR. I TOOK IT TO STRAUB HONDA IN TRIADELPHIA, WEST VIRGINIA. THEY SAID THAT IT SEEMED TO BE A DOOR SEAL WAS LEAKING. THEY CHANGED THE DOOR SEAL AND DRIED OUT THE WHOLE CAR. FIRST OF ALL, FOR A VEHICLE FOR NOT EVEN 18,000 MILES ON IT SHOULD NOT HAVE SEALS GOING BAD. THEN ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER IT WAS LEAKING AGAIN. I COULDNT EVEN SEE OUT OF MY WINDOWS BECAUSE THEY WERE FROZEN FROM THE INSIDE. WHEN THEY THAWED OUT, MY WINDOWS WERE DRIPPING WATER ONTO MY DASH AND DOORS. I TOOK MY CAR BACK INTO STRAUBS AGAIN. THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD CALLED A NUMBER TO SEE IF THIS PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING NATIONALLY. HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS SOME HONDA FITS THAT WERE DOING THE SAME THING AND THAT THERE WAS CRACKING ALONG THE HATCH OF THE CAR AND WATER WAS RUNNING THROUGH THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AND SETTLING AT THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. I DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE INTERIOR WIRING OF THE CAR, BUT I HOPE THERE IS NO WIRING THAT THIS WATER TRAVELED THROUGH. NOW, I HAVE PAID $300.00 OUT OF POCKET TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT IS OCCURRING TO OTHER HONDA FITS AS WELL. IF THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO OURS, THAN ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THERE IS MORE OCCURENCES. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET IN CONTACT OF STRAUBS FOR ANY REASON, I HAVE THAT NUMBER AVAILABLE ALSO. I ALSO HAVE A PICTURE OF WHAT IT IS LIKE TRYING TO DRIVE THE CAR WHILE THE WINDOW IS DEFROSTING, YOU CANT DO ANYTHING WITHN IT UNTIL IT IS MELTED 25 MINUTES LATER. *TR
AT TIMES CAR STALLS AT RED LIGHT. CAR HAS ALSO QUIT RUNNING AT 70 MPH. HAVE HAD CAR AT HONDA DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THERE ARE NO FALT CODES. CAR IS NOW TURNING ON CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. DEALER IS NO HELP. HAVE REPLACED COILS, SPARK PLUGS, AIR FILTER AND V-TEC OIL PRESSURE SWITCH. TROUBLE STILL EXIST. HONDA DEALER HAS NO CLUE AND IS NO HELP IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. I AM AFRAID THAT SOMEONE MIGHT DIE IN THE CAR BEFORE THE TROUBLE IS FIXED. *TT
THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES LACK FEEL AND ARE "SPONGY." THIS CAUSES GREAT DIFFICULTY DURING BRAKING. AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE BRAKES SEEM TO FUNCTION PROPERLY, BUT AT LOW SPEEDS IT DOES NOT. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, INSTEAD OF BRAKING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL DROP. THE CAR CONTINUES TO MOVE AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT BEING PRESSED DOWN. THE CREATES A SITUATION WHERE THE LAST FEW SECONDS, I MUST HIT THE BRAKES EVEN HARDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO BEGIN STOPPING. THIS CREATES A HAZARD FOR VEHICLES BOTH IN FRONT AND IN BACK OF ME. THERE IS VERY LITTLE CONTROL IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. FROM THE FORUMS, IT APPEARS THERE ARE MANY OTHER HONDA FIT OWNERS WITH THE SIMILAR PROBLEM. SOME HAVE GOTTEN INTO ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS FAILURE, WHILE OTHERS HAVE BEEN MORE LUCKY. THIS IS CERTAINLY A ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP, WHOM HAVE DENIED ANYTHING BEING WRONG. I URGE YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER BEFORE ANOTHER PERSON IS KILLED/ INJURED DUE TO THIS FAILURE.
AFTER ATTEMPTING TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP ON A CITY STREET ON A SUNNY DAY WITH ABOUT 2.5 CAR LENGTHS BETWEEN MY FIT AND AN ACCORD. THE VEHICLE'S ABS SYSTEM OVERREACTED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME VERY CHOPPY, DRAMATICALLY INCREASING THE DISTANCE IT TOOK TO STOP. THIS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO REAR END THE ACCORD. IN RETROSPECT, HAD I NOT APPLIED 100% BRAKE FORCE AND DID NOT TRIGGER THE ABS, I MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE JUST SHORT OF REAR ENDING THE OTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR SITUATIONS UNDER VARIOUS ROAD AND WEATHER CONDITIONS WITH THIS VEHICLE, WHERE THE ABS ACTIVATES PREMATURELY AND REMAINS ACTIVE, EVEN WHEN THERE SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT GRIP. EVEN LIGHT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE GOING OVER SOME POT HOLES AND UP ONTO DRIVE WAYS TRIGGERS THE ABS SYSTEM. I NEVER PAID MUCH ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I ALWAYS LEAVE ENOUGH SPACE BETWEEN MYSELF AND OTHER VEHICLES, BUT AFTER DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AFTER MY ACCIDENT, IT HAS BECOME APPARENT TO ME THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCE ABS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. NOR AM I THE ONLY INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO THE NHTSA. AS A NOTE, I HAVE DRIVEN VARIOUS SMALL AND LARGE VEHICLES - WITH AND WITHOUT ABS - AND THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN REACTED SO POORLY IN AN EMERGENCY/PANIC SITUATION. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THESE ABS PROBLEMS OCCURRED WITH THE FACTORY DUNLOP TIRES AS MY RECENT ACCIDENT WITH PERFORMANCE (GRIPPY) FIRESTONE FIREHAWK WIDE OVAL INDY 500 TIRES (WITH >50 TREAD). I HAV
NOTICED DAMP/WET CARPET UNDER RUBBER FLOOR MATS ON NOV 15TH 2011, NOTED A MOLDY SMELL. CLEANED CAR DRIED OUT CARPET. NOTICED REAR CARPET VERY WET AFTER RAINY PERIOD DEC 21 2011. PULLED UP CARPET, WATER ALL OVER TOP HUMP WERE SEAT BRACKETS ATTACH TO CAR FRAME, CARPET WAS SOAKED ALL WAY TO FRONT SEATS. I FEEL THIS MAY BE A STRUCTURAL ISSUE AND SAFETY ISSUE. OVER ON MILES FOR WARRANTY TO COVER. SCHEDULE WITH LOCAL DEALERSHIP. *TR
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE,ENGINE LAGS AT ABOUT 50 MPH. ALSO WHEN ENGINE IS STILL COLD AND TRANSMISSION IS IN DRIVE IT STALLS, IT DOES IT REPEATEDLY UNTIL IT REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. IT SEEMS SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH FUEL DISTRIBUTION, WHICH MAY BE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT-END OF THE CAR WAS SO EXTENSIVE THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS DEEMED IT A TOTAL LOSS?. I AM BRUISED AND SORE IN MY CHEST AND ABDOMEN. I HAVE NECK AND BACK PAIN AND A PERMANENT HEADACHE SINCE THE ACCIDENT. I FOUND THIS INFORMATION WHILE I MADE MY OWN RESEARCH TO SEE IF SOMEBODY ELSE HAD EXPERIMENTED THIS SITUATION. I BASICALLY FACED AN ACCIDENT WITH MY BODY AND I DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROTECTION FROM MY 2008 HONDA FIT. I TOTALLY BLAME HONDA FOR THIS DEFICIENCY . CAR PROBLEM(S) WITH THE 2008 HONDA FIT. THIS DATABASE INCLUDES INFORMATION RECEIVED BY NHTSA FROM CONSUMERS EITHER DIRECTLY OR AS RECORDED BY THE VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE. THIS INFORMATION MAY BE USED BY NHTSA DURING THE INVESTIGATION PROCESS. I NEED AN ANSWER TO THIS CLAIM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAL BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE WINDOW WAS DEFECTIVE AND AS A RESULT, WATER WOULD LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, MOLD WAS GROWING IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO PAY FOR 40 PERCENT OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
ON ABOVE DATE APPROX 12:45 PM I REAR ENDED A STOPPED MV AT APPROX 35-40MPH. MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY RESULTING IN SEVERE INJURY. SPINAL SURGERY TO FOLLOW. I HAVE REPEATEDLY CALLED HONDA, AND THEY DECLINE MEETING MY FORENSIC ENGINEER TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AS THEY KNOW IT IS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE HIRED A FORENSIC ENGINEER WHO IS AVAILABLE TO BE AT IN NEW JERSEY ON OCT 7 2011. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT AN EMPLOYEE OF HONDA WITNESS THE EXAMINATION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT
AFTER BACKING SLOWLY OUT OF A PARKING PLACE, I PUT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE. MY FOOT WAS STILL TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. I SLAMMED MY FOOT DOWN ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. I QUICKLY MOVED THE GEARSHIFT TO NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE RACED AND THEN SLOWLY RETURNED TO IDLE. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND CHECKED THE FLOOR MAT, BUT IT WAS FLAT ON THE FLOOR. MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR WHEN THE ACCELERATION OCCURRED, AND IF THE MAT WERE INTERFERING WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE ENGINE SPEED WOULD NOT HAVE RACED AND THEN SLOWLY DECREASED AFTER I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. THIS WAS CLEARLY A MALFUNCTION. I HAVE AN ENGINEERING BACKGROUND AND KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRIVER FOOT ERROR AND EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION. *TT
BROUGHT CAR TO HONDA DEALERSHIP ON 6/24/11 FOR SERVICE DUE TO CAR DYING TWICE THAT DAY. UPON ARRIVAL CAR DIED AND HAD TO BE JUMPED TO SERVICE. ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AS WELL AS THE BATTERY THAT DAY. THEN IN AUGUST CAR DIED ON THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING TWICE AND WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICES AT HONDA DEALERSHIP AND IMMOBILIZER WAS STATED TO BE THE PROBLEM THEN REPLACED ON 8/24/11. ARRIVE AT HONDA DEALERSHIP 9/6/11 FOR TIRE SERVICE AND CAR BATTERY ISSUES STATED BUT TECHNICIAN RESOLVED BY ADJUSTING BATTERY CONNECTIONS. ON 9/7/11 CAR DIES ON BRUCKNER BLVD IN THE BRONX, NY WHILE COMING OFF THE FDR AND HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON. NYC DOT WORKERS HAD TO MANUALLY PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL SO IT COULD BE MOVED TO SIDE OF ROAD. CAR WAS TOWED TO BRONX HONDA AND BATTERY REPLACED AGAIN. DEALERSHIP STATED CAR ISSUES SHOULD BE RESOLVED BUT HEARD STRANGER RATTLING SOUNDS FROM CAR WHILE BACKING OUT THE SAME DAY IT WAS PICKED UP. *TR
I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40MPH AND COLLIDED WITH A STOPPED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS CRUSHED, SPECIFICALLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY THOUGH THE IMPACT OCCURRED IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. DAMAGES INCURRED RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
WHENEVER I LEAVE MY HOUSE TO DRIVE MY CAR TO WORK EARLY IN THE MORNING WHEN IT IS AROUND 5 OR 6 DEGREES. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON, THE POWER STEERING BECOMES VERY TOUGH AND HARD TO MOVE. I WOULD HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR TO HAVE THE WARNING LIGHT GO OFF. SOME TIMES THE LIGHT TAKES A FEW TRIES BEFORE THE LIGHT GOES OFF. *TR
HONDA FIT 2008 BRAKES FAILURE TO STOP DURING BRAKING. NOISE DURING BRAKING GRINDING / LOOSENING OF BRAKE PADS WHEN BRAKING. WENT TO HONDA FOR BRAKE INSPECTION PER MY NON-HONDA MECHANIC, TO REPLACE CALIPERS. HONDA TECHNICIAN SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, THAT I JUST NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS. FIRST TIME REPLACING THEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. MILEAGE WAS AT 38,386. PAID FOR NEW PADS. DATE WAS DEC. 29, 2011. TODAY FIRST OIL CHANGE AND BRAKE CHECK SINCE PADS WERE CHANGE, WEARING OF PADS ARE STILL UNEVEN AND BRAKE NOISES STILL PREVALENT, EVEN AT FROM 20 MILE PER HOUR BRAKING TO STOP. *TR
RE: 2008 HONDA FIT SPORT - A FEW WEEKS AFTER HAVING THE HEADLIGHT SAFETY RECALL FOR 2007-08 HONDA FIT VEHICLES FROM HONDA SERVICE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE WE STARTED TO NOTICE THAT THE HIGH BEAMS WOULD COME ON WHEN THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED WHILE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON. HONDA DIAGNOSED AS THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH BEING DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH UNDER WARRANTY. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE NEW HEADLIGHT SWITCH BEGAN DISPLAYING THE SAME ISSUE; WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON, USING THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WOULD ACTIVATE THE HIGH BEAMS. HONDA HAS NOW DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE ONCE AGAIN AS THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH BEING DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY IN A FEW WEEKS. HAVE CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA AND OPENED A CASE ON THE ONGOING ISSUE. THINK THAT THEIR MAY BE A LARGE NUMBER OF DEFECTIVE REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT/TURN SIGNAL SWITCHES CURRENTLY BEING USED FOR SERVICE. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD HEADLIGHT SWITCH THE VEHICLE HAS HAD. *TR
WATER IN THE SPARE TIRE WELL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA FIT. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CARPETS IN THE REAR AND THE TRUNK WERE WET. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS EXPOSED TO RAINY WEATHER. A PASSENGER THAT ROUTINELY TRAVELED IN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO GET SICK AND THE CONTACT NOTICED MOLD WAS GROWING ON THE CARPETS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE REAR DOORS WERE NOT PROPERLY SEALED WHICH ALLOWED WATER INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
POWER STEERING SUDDENLY TURNED OFF. STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY HEAVY. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE INITIAL INCIDENT AND NOW TWICE IN THE PAST TWO DAYS (2/9/2011 AND 2/10/2011). ALL TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED DRIVING AROUND 30-40 MPH WITHIN THE FIRST 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. STOPPING, TURNING OFF AND ON THE IGNITION HAS RESET THE POWER STEERING IN ALL CASES. HONDA DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND A SOLUTION AND LAST TWO INCIDENTS HAPPENED SINCE TAKING CAR TO THE SHOP.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA FIT. WHILE APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECREASE IN SPEED, WHICH CAUSED HER TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE RESULTS OF AN INSPECTION. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 37,000.
I OWN A 2008 HONDA FIT. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO - IN THE WINTER OF 2009 MY CAR STARTED TO GET A MOLDY MUSK SMELL. I'VE NOTICED THAT THE SMELL IS MUCH STRONGER AFTER IT RAINS OR SNOWS. YESTERDAY I WENT TO GET IN MY CAR AND ALL OF THE WINDOWS WERE FOGGED UP, AND I HADN'T USED THE CAR IN MANY HOURS. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE RUBBER MOLDING ON ALL OF THE DOORS TO TRY AND STOP THE LEAKING, BUT I'VE BEEN WAITING TO TRY AND GET SOME HELP FROM HONDA. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MOLD GROWING AND CAUSING HEALTH PROBLEMS. I'VE RESEARCHED A FEW BLOGS AND HAVE MANY OTHER FIT OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
MY CAR HAS 38000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, I'VE NOTICED A BAD SMELL IN MY CAR AFTER IT HAS RAINED AND THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO WARM UP DUE TO SUNLIGHT. I'VE FOUND WATER UNDERNEATH MY FRONT DRIVER-SIDE FLOOR MAT. IT SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE SEAL THAT SURROUNDS THE DOOR FRAME OF THE CAR, NOT THE DOOR ITSELF. THIS ONLY HAPPENS AFTER HEAVY RAINS. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IT COMES THROUGH THE INSIDES OF THE DOOR, AS IT ENDS UP ON TOP OF THE PLASTIC MOLD, WHICH IS INSIDE THE DOOR FRAME SEAL, THAT LEADS TO THE FLOORBOARD. AGAIN, IT LEAVES A BAD, MOLDY SMELL AND IS RUINING MY FLOOR MAT. I'VE VISITED AN INTERNET MESSAGE BOARD, WHICH IS MAINLY DISCUSSIONS ON MY MAKE AND MODEL CAR, AND THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED AMONGST SOME MEMBERS OF THE FORUM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA FIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TPMS LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED SHE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTY FOR THIS FAILURE. THE WARRANTY ON HER VEHICLE EXPIRED EIGHT DAYS BEFORE SHE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. UPDATED 12/07/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/30/10. *LJ UPDATED 04/06/11
I AM FORTUNATELY NOT REPORTING ON A FAILURE PER SE OR AN ACCIDENT, I AM REPORTING A POTENTIALLY DEADLY FLAW IN THE LIGHTING SYSTEM OF MANY NEW VEHICLES (LIKE FOR INSTANCE MY 2008 HONDA FIT). THE PROBLEM IS THAT ANYTIME THE CAR IS STARTED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS TOTALLY LIGHTED UP AND STAYS THAT WAY NOT MATTER WHAT THE ACTUAL VISIBILITY IS. AS A CONSEQUENCE IT IS QUITE EASY TO FORGET TO TURN ON THE HEAD LIGHTS EVEN AT NIGHT WHEN LEAVING A BRIGHTLY LIGHTED PLACE (LIKE A GAS STATION). THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME A FEW TIMES: I WOULD TANK THE CAR, START THE ENGINE, SEE THE LIGHTED INSTRUMENT PANEL AND DRIVE OFF INTO A DARK STREET. OF COURSE YOU REALIZE AFTER A FEW SECONDS THAT YOU HAVE NO HEADLIGHTS BUT THOSE 2-3 SECONDS COULD BE FATAL, THE ONLY INDICATOR THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE ON IS A SMALL GREEN ICON THAT IT IS EASILY NOT NOTICED AMONG THE LIGHTED PANEL. THE SITUATION IS ALSO DANGEROUS AT DUSK WHEN THE LIGHTED PANEL AGAIN GIVES THE IMPRESSION THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. A FEW DAYS AGO I PASSED A CAR DRIVEN ON A NEARBY INTERSTATE BY A WOMAN WHO HAD NOT HEADLIGHTS ON AND WAS DRIVING IN A SITUATION OF ADVANCED DARKNESS; AS I PASSED HER CAR I NOTICED THE GLOW OF HER LIGHTED INSTRUMENT PANEL. SINCE ONE'S EYES EASILY ADJUST TO DARKNESS IT IS VERY EASY NOT TO NOTICE THE PROBLEM. I HOPE NOBODY HAS BEEN ALREADY VICTIMIZED BY THIS NOT SO INTELLIGENT SYSTEM. *TR
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2008 HONDA FIT SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. UPON STARTING THE CAR, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DO NOT TURN ON THOUGH THE HIGH BEAMS REMAIN INTACT. THIS MEANS THAT I HAVE NO HEADLIGHTS UNLESS I DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS, WHICH IS DISTRACTING TO OTHER DRIVERS AND UNSAFE. I HAVE NOT YET BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO BE FIXED AS THIS PROBLEM BEGAN VERY RECENTLY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA FIT. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A U-TURN SHE SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AS HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL; THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FRONT BUMPER WAS DAMAGED. THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED OF THE INCIDENT AND ADVISED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BECAUSE THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE FAILURE. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 43,200.
I FIRST NOTICED WATER POOLING ON THE REAR PASSENGER FLOOR SPRING 2010. TOOK TO HONDA DEALER WHERE THEY ALSO FOUND WATER IN THE TRUNK UNDER THE SPARE TIRE. SEALED SEVERAL AREAS INCLUDING AROUND RIGHT REAR WINDOW. WATER CONTINUES TO LEAK INTO REAR FLOORBOARDS, NOW ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES, AS WELL AS A SMALL AMOUNT INTO THE TRUNK AREA. THIS HAPPENS WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED NOSE UP ON A SLIGHT SLOPE FOR THE MOST PART. DEALER HAS RE-EXAMINED CAR AND DETERMINED THAT IT IS A RESULT OF BODY WORK TO REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, ALLEGING THAT THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE DOOR IS UNEVEN (AND WELL BELOW THE LEVEL THE WATER IS COMING IN). HOWEVER WATER CONTINUES TO COME IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE REAR HATCH AREA WHERE NO BODY WORK WAS DONE. (CAR HAD A DEER THROWN INTO THE 2 DRIVERS SIDE DOORS AND FRONT QUARTER PANEL, THIS WAS NOT A VEHICULAR ACCIDENT, NO FRAME DAMAGE, ETC, JUST DENTED DOORS). THE WATER ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR FLOORBOARDS (WHICH HAS A "HUMP" IN THE MIDDLE OF IT) IS ALMOST 1/2" DEEP AFTER A STEADY RAINSTORM. *TR
MY CLUTCH WENT OUT TWICE IN UNDER 17,000 MILES. DRIVEN A MANUAL TRANSMISSION FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS. FIRST CLUTCH WENT AT 6011 MILES (JANUARY 30, 2008). CLUTCH WOULD NOT ENGAGE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN LA. I WAS LUCKY THAT I DID NOT HAVE ANY VEHICLES BEHIND ME. HONDA REPLACED THE CLUTCH, THE FLYWHEEL, THE PRESSURE PLATE, AND BOTH BEARINGS UNDER THE HEADING OF "GOODWILL". THEY CLAIMED IT WAS USER WEAR. AT 6000 MILES? THE SERVICE CONSULTANT SAID THAT IT WAS THE WORST WORN CLUTCH HE HAD EVER SEEN... IT WAS "BLUE". CLUTCH BEGAN SLIPPING AGAIN AT 17,800 MILES. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY AGAIN BLAMED ME FOR THE WEAR. COULD NOT TELL ME WHY IT WAS MY FAULT. THE CLUTCH DISC SHOWED UNEVEN WEAR. WHEN I ASKED IF THEY INSPECTED THE TIRES TO SHOW THAT THE CAR WAS "OPERATED PROPERLY" THEY SAID THAT THE USE OF THE CLUTCH DID NOT EFFECT THE TIRES. WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT HE SENT PICTURES IN TO A HONDA REP. WHEN I ASKED TO SEE THE PICTURES 7 DAYS LATER I WAS SENT ONE PARTIAL IMAGE OF MY CLUTCH, WHICH SHOWED OBVIOUS UNUSUAL WEAR. THE IMAGE WAS TIME-STAMPED 6 DAYS AFTER I WAS TOLD THE PHOTO(S) OF THE CAR WERE INSPECTED BY AN AMERICAN HONDA REP. HONDA DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY ON THEIR FAULTY MACHINE EVEN AFTER A CASE MANAGER SAID IT WAS "UNLIKELY" MY FAULT, BUT "POSSIBLE". I COULD GROW A THIRD ARM FROM MY FOREHEAD... IT IS "POSSIBLE" BUT "UNLIKELY". HONDA WANTS ME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AND TEAR DOWN COSTS. I DO NOT MERELY WANT THE CAR REPAIRED. THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE OF MONEY. IF I
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 25-30 MPH, APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP SIGNAL. SUDDENLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP WITH A BRIEF DELAY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TEN TO TWELVE TIMES ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT OCCUR IN COLD WEATHER TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A PROBLEM. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000.
HEADREST FAILED DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THE HEADREST TIPS MY HEAD SO FAR FORWARD MY CHIN IS PRACTICALLY ON MY CHEST. THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST OR REPLACE IT, I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALER AND PARTS DEPARTMENT. MY ONLY SOLUTION IS TO PUT THE HEADREST ON BACKWARD, WHICH MEANS I HAVE NO NECK PROTECTION IN A CRASH. *TR
BRAKE CONCERNS: I HAVE A 2008 HONDA FIT THAT INTERMITTENTLY HAS A HARD BRAKE PEDAL AND OFTEN WILL NOT STOP WITH 2 FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT FEELS TO ME LIKE THE MASTER CYLINDER OR BRAKE BOOSTER LINKAGE IS SOMEHOW BINDING, THIS USUALLY OCCURS AFTER DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, MY LOCAL DEALER WILL TAKE IT FOR A 5 MINUTE DRIVE AND GIVE IT BACK TO ME STATING "NO PROBLEM FOUND" EVEN AFTER SEVERAL COMPLAINTS. I FEEL THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. HONDA AND IT'S DEALERS DON'T SEEM CONCERNED ABOUT BRAKE PROBLEMS BUT I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. *TR
MY HUSBAND AND I OWN A 2008 HONDA FIT. SINCE ABOUT OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR, OUR POWER STEERING HAS BEEN RANDOMLY GOING OUT ON US (THE EPS LIGHT COMES ON AND WE CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL). THIS MOST FREQUENTLY OCCURS WHILE WE'RE ON THE INTERSTATE DRIVING AT 65MPH - HOWEVER IT DID HAPPEN ONCE ON A SMALL STREET (AT ABOUT 30MPH) AND ANOTHER TIME IN A PARKING LOT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING MOVED. LUCKILY, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE ABLE TO SLOWLY AND SAFELY PULL OVER. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE (THE CAR IS CURRENTLY THERE). AN ON BOARD COMPUTER WAS REPLACED AND THE DEALERSHIP IS CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR ANOTHER POSSIBLE CAUSE. THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT NO INCIDENT IS BEING LOGGED ON THE COMPUTER. THERE IS NO WAY TO PREDICT WHEN THE STEERING IS GOING TO LOCK UP. *TR
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN MY 2008 HONDA FIT, THEY FAILED TO ENGAGE. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO AVOID ACCIDENTS, BUT I'M QUITE CONCERNED AND HAVE NOTICED OTHER SUCH CONCERNS POSTED ON THE WEB. *TR
I HAVE A 2008 HONDA FIT...THE FIRST INDICATION THERE WAS A PROBLEM WAS CONDENSATION BUILDING UP INSIDE ON THE WINDOWS...AT FIRST I PAID NO ATTENTION AND THEN I REALIZED IT WAS HAPPENING WAY TO OFTEN. BEFORE I GOT A CHANCE TO CONTACT THE DEALER I RECEIVED A RECALL IN THE MAIL FOR A POSSIBLE FAULTY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW PROBLEM. UPON CLEANING OUT THE VEHICLE FOR SOME REASON I LOOKED INSIDE THE SPARE TIRE WELL TO FIND WATER IN THE SPARE TIRE AND SURROUNDING AREA. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER WHO CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM...1 WEEK LATER MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT AGAIN TO FIND THERE IS STILL WATER COMING INTO THE SPARE TIRE SECTION...THE CAR IS BACK WITH THE DEALER WHO CLAIMS "THEY CAN'T DETERMINE WHERE THE LEAK IS"...I ADVISED THEM TO DUPLICATE THE SITUATION BY TAKING THE CAR TO A CAR WASH"... *TR
I OWN A 2008 HONDA FIT. ON 1-7-2010, WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 -50 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MINE BEGAN TO BRAKE. MY BRAKES WERE APPLIED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SEEM TO BE SLOWING. THE BRAKES WERE THEN DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED FORWARD UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MINE. THE ABS DID NOT ENGAGE DURING THIS INCIDENT. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT BROKE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS INFORMED OF THE ABOVE NOTED FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER, NO BRAKE PROBLEMS WERE DETECTED. IN LATE FEBRUARY, 2010, I GOT MY VEHICLE BACK FROM THE REPAIR SHOP. ON 3-4-2010, I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING ME TO SLAM THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD. AGAIN, THE ABS SYSTEM DID NOT ENGAGE AND MY VEHICLE CONTINUED FORWARD. THE ONLY REASON I DID NOT CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME IS BECAUSE IT CLEARED MY PATH BEFORE IMPACT. DURING THIS INCIDENT, MY SEAT BELT DID NOT "GRAB" ME. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY, EXPLAINED THE INCIDENT, AND ASKED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND SEAT BELT BE CHECKED OUT AGAIN THOROUGHLY. THE HONDA SERVICE WRITER TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES OR THE SEAT BELT. DUE TO MY FIELD OF EMPLOYMENT, I HAVE HAD EXTENSIVE TRAINING IN EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATION. I KNOW HOW THE ABS SYSTEM OPERATES AND HOW A VEHICLE SHOULD RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED ABOVE.
ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM ACTIVATES INAPPROPRIATELY. DRIVING OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT, BUMPS ETC SEEMS TO ACTIVATE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM. BRAKES BECOME SQUISHY, AND LESS EFFECTIVE DURING THESE INCIDENCES. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS ROUTINELY. *TR
I WAS DRIVING HOME GOING ABOUT 50 MPH, WHEN TRAFFIC SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES. I WAS FOLLOWING ABOUT 3 CAR LENGTHS BEHIND THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME, AND AS SOON AS THEY SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES I SLAMMED ON MINE. WHEN SLAMMING ON MY BRAKES, THE ABS DIDN'T EVEN COME ON BECAUSE MY BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING LIKE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO. MY BRAKES FELT SPONGY, AND SHOULD HAVE STOPPED ME WITH ROOM TO SPARE, BUT THEY DIDN'T EVEN COME CLOSE. *TR
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
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