Total Complaints
129 filings
HONDA FIT · model year
129 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports, and 11 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012HONDAFIT carries 129 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 4/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 FIT is air bags with 41 filings, followed by steering (16) and power train (13). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 11 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 77 investigation files overlapping the 2012 FIT, and 9 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
129 filings
Crashes Reported
9 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 41 |
| STEERING | 16 |
| POWER TRAIN | 13 |
| ENGINE | 12 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 9 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 7 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 |
| SUSPENSION | 3 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS | 2 |
| SEATS | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 1 |
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have in
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississipp
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped wi
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-201
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air b
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Honda Fit Sport vehicles manufactured from May 23, 2011, through March 22, 2013, and model year 2012-2013 Honda Fit base vehicles manufactured from June 27, 2011, through April 19, 2013. In April 2013, Honda recalled 43,782 2012-2013 Honda Fit Sport v
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Acura ILX, 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, and 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles with a manual transmission and 2009-2013 Honda Fit vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia,
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Hond
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehi
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-20
The electronic steering power assist failed several times in the past two weeks. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The safety of occupants was put at risk because of the difficulty of steering safely in traffic. The car has not yet been taken to my dealer for evaluation. The vehicle or component has not yet been inspected. No warning lamps or other symptoms of the problem appeared prior to the failure.
While driving my regular commute to work with the radio on, the radio and interior lights (not sure if headlights because I can't see them) flashed on and off and the power steering warning light flashed on and off. At that time, the car jerked and I lost power steering for a moment. This happened several times and the radio stopped working. This did not happen on the way home, but reoccured a few days later. I made an appointment with the dealer They had my car for the day and were not able to locate the issue, but they fixed my radio and told me to bring it back if it happened again. They checked alternator, fuses, and looked for an electrical short. A few weeks later, it happened again, I brought the car back and they could not find the problem, but fixed the radio. The car was fine for a month and it is happening again. Losing power steering while driving is a serious safety hazard for myself and others.
While driving my regular commute to work with the radio on, the radio and interior lights (not sure if headlights because I can't see them) flashed on and off and the power steering warning light flashed on and off. At that time, the car jerked and I lost power steering for a moment. This happened several times and the radio stopped working. This did not happen on the way home, but reoccured a few days later. I made an appointment with the dealer They had my car for the day and were not able to locate the issue, but they fixed my radio and told me to bring it back if it happened again. They checked alternator, fuses, and looked for an electrical short. A few weeks later, it happened again, I brought the car back and they could not find the problem, but fixed the radio. The car was fine for a month and it is happening again. Losing power steering while driving is a serious safety hazard for myself and others.
While driving my regular commute to work with the radio on, the radio and interior lights (not sure if headlights because I can't see them) flashed on and off and the power steering warning light flashed on and off. At that time, the car jerked and I lost power steering for a moment. This happened several times and the radio stopped working. This did not happen on the way home, but reoccured a few days later. I made an appointment with the dealer They had my car for the day and were not able to locate the issue, but they fixed my radio and told me to bring it back if it happened again. They checked alternator, fuses, and looked for an electrical short. A few weeks later, it happened again, I brought the car back and they could not find the problem, but fixed the radio. The car was fine for a month and it is happening again. Losing power steering while driving is a serious safety hazard for myself and others.
Three instances of engine misfiring, causing the car to immediately go into a speed limiting mode during driving. This is a major safety hazard and can happen in the middle of high speed driving. The first instance was a 52K miles, second at 69K miles, and third at 130K miles. The most recent instance resulted in the spark plug ejecting from the cylinder head, melting into the coil pack, and stripping out the cylinder head thread. This resulted in a costly repair.
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Fit. The contact stated he noticed a strong odor of gasoline inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the mechanic stated that spark plug #3 was loosened. The ignition wire was replaced, and the spark plug was tightened. The manufacturer was contacted, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 65,000.
Mileage: 65,000
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Fit. The contact stated he noticed a strong odor of gasoline inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the mechanic stated that spark plug #3 was loosened. The ignition wire was replaced, and the spark plug was tightened. The manufacturer was contacted, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 65,000.
Mileage: 65,000
Driving down the highway the spark plug was blown out of the engine head and the car lost power immediately. The car has approximately 12,000 miles and all OEM parts from the manufacture. Maintenance was kept up on the car. This is extremely dangerous since this highway is usually busy with cars and tractor trailers. My son was in the left lane and was almost hit by a tractor trailer due to the violent explosion of the spark plug being blown out of the engine. In addition, was unable to get over to the shoulder of the road and had to stop in the left-hand lane on route 80 in NJ which is very dangerous. Both of my sons were in the car when this occurred. The car was towed to my licensed mechanic who confirmed that the spark plug was blown out of the engine which caused the loud noise and loss of power. There was no warning, symptoms or messages before this occurred which is why I am extremely concerned for the safety of others who own this type of vehicle.
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Fit equipped with Continental General Tires, Tire Line: Altimax RT43, Tire Size: 195/50/R16, DOT number: 6539wby54618. The contact stated that the driverâs side front tire had started to show signs of bubbling on the sidewall of the tire. The contact had taken the vehicle to a certified tire mechanic who notified the contact of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21T001000 (Tires) and 21T018000 (Tires). The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the Vin was not under recall. The vehicle failure mileage was 147,000 and the approximate tire failure mileage was 13,000. The manufacturer who and confirmed that their vehicle was not included in any recall. The approximate vehicle was 147,000 and the approximate failure mileage was 13,000.
Mileage: 147,000
SPARK PLUGS NUMBER 1 & 2 CAME LOOSE AND CAUSE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY LOOSE POWER ON HIGHWAY. THE LOOSE SPARKPLUGS DAMAGED THE IGNITION COILS AND THE CAR WOULD ONLY RUN AT ABOUT 15 MPH WHICH WAS DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN INSPECTED THE NUMBER 3 & 4 PLUGS WERE STILL TIGHT. SPARKPLUGS AND IGNITION COILS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. AROUND 90000 MILES ON VEHICLE. DATE IS ALSO APPROXIMATE
Mileage: 90,000
I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, WHEN I STARTED MAKING THE LEFT TURN I FELT AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BUT I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PUT VEHICLE IN PARK BUT IT WOULD STILL ROLL, I THEN APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I THEN PROCEEDED TO CALL MY SON, HE ASKED ME WHAT HAPPENED, I TOLD HIM THAT I HEARD A LOUD BANG & THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T ACCELERATE & THE VEHICLE KEPT ROLLING AFTER IT WAS IN PARK, HE SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE I HAD A BROKEN AXEL I THEN CALLED AAA. AAA ARRIVED & ASKED ME WHAT HAPPENED & IF THE VEHICLE ROLLED WHEN PUT IN PARK, I SAID YES IT STILL ROLLED & THE DRIVER TOLD ME I HAD A BROKEN AXEL. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY SON'S GARAGE, WHERE HE REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXEL, THAT INDEED HAD SNAPPED IN HALF. THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS TURNING ONTO BUSY RT 27 IN SHARON, MA. NOW I'M WORRIED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AXEL COULD SNAP IN HALF WHILE I'M DRIVING MY VEHICLE.
Mileage: 84,250
OUR WELL-MAINTAINED HONDA FIT HAS DEVELOPED AN ISSUE WHERE THE EPS STEERING LIGHT COMES ON SPORADICALLY DURING DRIVING. IN EACH OF THESE EVENTS, THE STEERING ASSIST SOMETIMES CUTS OUT FOR A SECOND OR TWO CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO MANUALLY CONTROL THE STEERING. IN ALL EVENT INSTANCES, CABIN POWER IS AFFECTED: POWER TO RADIO WILL RESTART, AND SOMETIMES DASHBOARD LIGHTS GO AS WELL. IN MORE SEVERE INSTANCES DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND SEATBELT LIGHTS CUTOUT MOMENTARILY AND A STEERING DTC SHINES QUICKLY IN THE DUMMY LIGHT CLUSTER. ENVIRONMENT: EPS STEERING ISSUES HAPPEN AT ALL MANNER OF SPEEDS AND MANUEVERS - REGULAR BACKROAD DRIVING, PARKING LOTS AND EVEN SITTING IDLE. CAR HARDLY HAS BEEN DRIVEN THE PAST FEW YEARS (UNDER 7500/YEAR) AND HAS NEVER HIT ANYTHING, BEEN BUMPED (OR IF IT DID, WE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT) NOR BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND. WE ARE IN A SALT-BELT STATE. PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING LATE DECEMBER 2020, DURING REGULAR COLD WEATHER (30-45 DEGREES CONSISTENTLY); IT IS NOT G
Mileage: 79,000
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, I HEARD A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY A BUZZING/GRINDING SOUND. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THE AXEL HAD SNAPPED AT THE LOCATION OF A VIBRATION DAMPER.
Mileage: 87,000
THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE SNAPPED IN TWO INSIDE THE RUBBER DAMPER WEIGHT AT ITS CENTER. AS HONDA FORUMS ON THE INTERNET SHOW, THIS IS BECOMING MORE COMMON AS FITS AGE. THE DAMPER IS HELD IN PLACE BY ONLY ONE STAINLESS STEEL CLAMP ( AT ITS LOWER END). SINCE WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER ITS UPPER END , WITHOUT A CLAMP THERE, IT STAYS IN THE SPACE BETWEEN THE AXLE AND DAMPER AND THE CORROSION BEGINS. EVEN AFTERMARKET MANUFACTURERS HAVE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND LEFT THE DAMPER OFF THEIR AXLES. WHEN THIS BREAK HAPPENED THE VEHICLE WAS STARTING OFF FROM A STOP AND TURNING RIGHT ON A CITY STREET.
Mileage: 152,000
#2 SPARK PLUG EJECTED AT 90K MILES. IN MOTION. ROUGH IDLE RESULTED AND LOW RPM'S. TOWED FOR REPAIR. READ ONLINE OF MANY OTHERS WITH SAME SITUATION.
Mileage: 90,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY THE FRONT AXLE FRACTURED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING AND CLICKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED WITH A FRACTURED FRONT AXLE MID-SHAFT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,800. *BF *TR
Mileage: 47,800
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AXLE WAS FRACTURED DUE TO WATER SETTLING INSIDE OF THE RUBBER DAMPER CAUSING SEVERE RUST AND THE PART TO FAIL. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER AND INFORMED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD GIVE HIM A CALLBACK. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
Mileage: 143,000
THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000 < MILES. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THAT LED TO A HIGHWAY. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE.I HAD THE CAR BROUGHT TO A HONDA DEALERSHIP. UPON THEIR INSPECTION, I WAS TOLD BOTH FRONT AXLES WERE BROKEN. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE REP, ONE AXLE DISINTEGRATED AND THE OTHER HAD A NOTICEABLE CRACK IN IT. I REQUESTED THE DAMAGED COMPONENTS BE SAVED FOR AN INVESTIGATION ISN'T THIS A SAFETY CONCERN? WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY?
Mileage: 118,000
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING LIGHT TURNED ON INTERMITTENTLY. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP OR BE REALLY HARD TO STEER. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENS AT LOWER SPEED OR WHEN IDLE. THIS CAN OCCUR MID STEER AT TIMES AS WELL.
Mileage: 46,000
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING LIGHT TURNED ON INTERMITTENTLY. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP OR BE REALLY HARD TO STEER. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENS AT LOWER SPEED OR WHEN IDLE. THIS CAN OCCUR MID STEER AT TIMES AS WELL.
Mileage: 46,000
Inaccurate Rear Passenger Seat Belt Warning Status
Loss of Motive Power
Inadvertent Deployment of Side Air Bags
Engine failure
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.