VehicleVerdict

2008 Honda Fit problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 280 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.6 times the median Fit year — the 2008 model ranks #4 of 14 Fit years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 42 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (57), body & structure (43), and engine (28), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

280

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

1

Investigations

43

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

42

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Fit years?

Fit NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted446 complaints2007: 446 complaints2008: 280 complaints2009: 330 complaints2010: 218 complaints2011: 128 complaints2012: 130 complaints2013: 214 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 369 complaints2016: 146 complaints2017: 59 complaints2018: 163 complaints2019: 190 complaints2020: 50 complaints
Fit NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Fit years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Honda Fit problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags5720%
Body & Structure4315%
Engine2810%
Transmission249%
Brakes228%
Electrical System207%
Lighting197%
Speed Control145%
Other135%
Steering124%
Tires & Wheels73%
Visibility & Wipers41%
Seat Belts41%
Seats41%
Suspension31%
Fuel System31%
Latches & Locks21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2008 Honda Fit have recalls?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V770000TransmissionDecember 10, 2020 · 248,358 units

Defect

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, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The drive shafts' protective coating may not have been applied properly during manufacturing, making it more susceptible to damage from road salt, or other contaminants, and potentially cause it to break.

Consequence

A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle could also roll away if the parking brake has not been applied before the vehicle has been exited. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing either the left or right drive shaft, if necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk with an interim letter mailed February 2, 2021. A second letter will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are P9M, PAV, BAY, TAX, CA0, and MAZ.

19V501000AirbagsJune 27, 2019 · 1,657,752 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

17V029000AirbagsJanuary 10, 2017 · 308,884 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2009 Acura RL and Honda Element vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles and 2006-2009 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2008 Acura RL, Honda Element and Honda Pilot vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2006-2008 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.

16V344000AirbagsMay 23, 2016 · 1,790,894 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.

13V260000Visibility & WipersJune 24, 2013 · 143,083 units

Defect

Honda is re-recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Fit vehicles covered under previous recall 10V-033. The remedy applied in this earlier recall may have been insufficient. In the affected vehicles, over time, the plastic cover may separate from the master power window switch allowing water to enter the driver's window and reach the master power window switch. If the master power window switch is damaged as a result of the water intrusion, overheating and failure of the switch may result.

Consequence

An overheated switch can cause smoke, melting and fire.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners in July 2013 and will instruct owners to take their vehicles to dealers to have a free inspection conducted. If the switch is damaged, it will be replaced free of charge. If the switch is not damaged, the owner will be instructed to await a second notification that will instruct them to return to the dealer to have a replacement switch installed free of charge. Honda anticipates it will have sufficient parts inventory to notify owners of vehicles with undamaged switches to return to dealers for replacement switches in Fall 2013. Renotification was sent out to owners on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's recall number is JA6.

10V624000LightingDecember 15, 2010 · 143,083 units

Defect

HONDA IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HONDA FIT VEHICLES. DUE TO AN ERROR DURING INSTALLATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE COMBINATION SWITCH THAT CONTROLS LOW HEAD BEAM FUNCTION, THE WIRES FOR THE LOWER BEAM CIRCUIT WERE PULLED TIGHTER THAN INTENDED. AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TERMINAL FOR THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAN BECOME WORN AS A RESULT OF THIS TENSION, WHICH CAN RESULT IN LOW CONDUCTIVITY AND CAUSE AN ACCUMULATION OF COPPER OXIDE IN THE AREA OF THE CONTACTS.

Consequence

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE DECREASING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE'S VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOW BEAM TERMINAL AND PERFORM NECESSARY REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

10V033000Visibility & WipersFebruary 2, 2010 · 141,000 units

Defect

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 FIT VEHICLES. UNDER SEVERE CONDITION, WATER MAY ENTER THE DRIVER'S WINDOW AND REACH THE MASTER POWER WINDOW SWITCH. IF THE MASTER POWER WINDOW SWITCH IS DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE WATER INTRUSION, OVERHEATING AND FAILURE OF THE SWITCH MAY RESULT.

Consequence

AN OVERHEATED SWITCH CAN CAUSE SMOKE, MELTING AND FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SWITCH AND INSTALL A COVER AROUND THE SWITCH HOUSING TO PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING THE SWITCH. IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, THE SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED AND A COVER WILL BE INSTALLED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DURING MARCH 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

07V549000AirbagsDecember 3, 2007 · 34,300 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA , WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE WIRE HARNESS FOR THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (ODS) AND THE OCCUPANT POSITION DETECTION SYSTEM (OPDS) IS ROUTED UNDERNEATH THE CARPET ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD. IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED, SALT FROM THE SNOW ON THE DRIVER'S SHOES WILL MELT AND MAY PENETRATE THE CARPET AND LEAK INTO THE WIRE HARNESS. IF THE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO SALT BRINE, CORROSION MAY OCCUR AND THE WIRE MAY BREAK CAUSING THE SRS INDICATOR LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. A FAILURE OF THE ODS AND OPDS MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A CHILD SEAT OR AN OUT-OF-POSITION PASSENGER AND DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER'S FRONTAL AND SIDE AIR BAGS WILL NOT BE SUPPRESSED.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A DEPLOYING FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG OR FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WILL INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO SMALL OR OUT-OF-POSITION OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WIRE HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 800-999-1009.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TAKATA RECALL- AIRBAG EXPLODED WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE RESULTING IN TRAMATIC BRAIN INJURY SUBDURAL HEMATOMA SURGERY SEIZURES AND PERMANENT BRAIN COGNITIVE MEMORY ORGANIZATION AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTION ISSUES. CAR IN MOTION CROSSING INTERSECTION AFTER LIGHT TURNED GREEN AT LOW SPEED HIT BY VEHICLE FAILING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 4, 2012 · crash

MY SON HIT A TRAILER FROM BEHIND. TRUCK DECIDED TO BACK UP AT SAME TIME MY SON TOOK OFF. AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO FRONT OF CAR AND FRAME. SON SUFFERED A STIFF NECK AND ACHY BACK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK ON TWO ACCIDENTS T HIS CAR HAS BEEN IN. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 31, 2013 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 HONDA FIT. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, A TRACTOR TRAILER PULLED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INSTEAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 23, 2017 · crash

The contact owned a 2008 Honda Fit. The contact stated while driving 20MPH the vehicle lost all motor and electrical power; which resulted in the vehicle rolling back down the hill it was on and crashing into a fence. No airbags deployed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a local police lot…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 10, 2021 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 23, 2011 · crash

2008 Honda Fit — common questions

Is the 2008 Honda Fit reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 280 complaints put the 2008 model at #4 of 14 Fit years. It is one of the Fit years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Fit problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (57 complaints), body & structure (43 complaints), engine (28 complaints).

Does the 2008 Honda Fit have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Honda Fit. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Honda Fit under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Honda Fit years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Fit years to avoid are 2007, 2015, 2009, 2008. The cleanest record among Fit years belongs to 2014.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.