Problems · NHTSA complaints

2008 Honda Fit problems

Owners filed 217 complaints about the 2008 Honda Fit with NHTSA between May 2008 and Apr 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (57).

Complaints
217
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
28
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
28
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags57
  2. Structure43
  3. Power train24
  4. Engine23
  5. Electrical system18
  6. Exterior lighting17
  7. Vehicle speed control14
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic13
  9. Steering12
  10. Service brakes8
  11. Tires5
  12. Engine and engine cooling5
  13. Seat belts4
  14. Seats4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20083
20098
201023
201115
201214
201320
201421
201518
201638
201720
201810
20193
20205
202111
20223
20232
20240
20252
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

57 reports16 crashes4 related recalls
“LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AND VEERED INTO LIGHT POST. THE POST WAS IMPACTED AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS SMOKE AND GUN POWDER SMELL. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE AIRBAG OBVIOUSLY FIRED, BUT DID NOT DEPLOY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 21, 2020Suspension, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11384459

Structure

43 reports2 crashes
“My Bumper snapped off with going down a driveway. It’s made of plastic and it’s broken and need to be replaced. This is an ongoing issue with this vehicle. Every Honda fit I see on the road has this issue. This is dangerous and could cause an accident.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2023StructureODI 11508180

Power train

24 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“My Honda Fit with an automatic transmission experienced a driveshaft failure due to corrosion in August 2018. At that time, Honda had announced a recall for similar driveshaft corrosion failures affecting manual‑transmission Honda Fits, but no recall existed for automatic‑transmission vehicles. Because there was no recall for my vehicle configuration, and no notice from Honda, I had the vehicle repaired at an independent repair shop at my own expense. Honda later expanded the recall to include automatic‑transmission Honda Fits in June 2019. However, I never received a mailed recall notification while I owned the vehicle. I sold the vehicle in February 2020, before Honda mailed recall notices. I only became aware that my vehicle was included in the automatic‑transmission recall later, while researching issues related to a different Honda Fit I currently own. At that point, I learned that my prior driveshaft failure matched the recalled defect. Honda is now denying reimbursement for the recall‑related repair because they say they must inspect the vehicle to confirm whether it was equipped with a factory dynamic damper. Honda has also stated, however, that it does…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2026Power trainODI 11728799

Engine

23 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2008 Honda Fit. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. While driving approximately 55 MPH or faster, there was a misfire coming from the engine. The contact stated while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle was wobbling. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that there was a misfire coming from all 4-cylinders. The mechanic test-drove the vehicle and the passenger’s side front axle shaft detached from the vehicle. Due to the failure, the dealer was unable to further diagnose the vehicle to determine what parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was unable to speak with the mechanic. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,500. The VIN was unavailable.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 23, 2025Power train, EngineODI 11662732

Electrical system

18 reports1 crash1 fire
“TAKATA RECALL : MY 2008 HONDA FIT WAS TRAVELING AT 15 MPH AND WENT INTO A POLICE K-9 UNIT 'ELVIS'. THE AIR BAG VIRULENTLY EXPLODED ON MY JAW AND CAUSED MY TEETH TO BIT MY TONGUE. THE POLICEMAN MISTOOK THE INJURY FOR A SEIZURE AND I LOST MY LICENSE INDEFINITELY. I WAS TAKE TO THE HOSPITAL AGAINST MY WILL AND GIVEN 10,000 DOLLARS IN SERVICES I DIDN'T WANT OR NEED DUE TO THE AIR BAG. HONDA AND TAKATA AND NHTSA NEED TO COME CLEAN AND PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 11, 2017Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10984833

Exterior lighting

17 reports1 crash1 fire1 related recall
“Above mentioned Honda Fit Vin number JHMGD38678S043570 had same issue with low beam headlight recall (TSB 10-082 low beam headlight recall) Low beam headlight do not work. Car was sent to Pohanka dealership for repair. "Found a break in wire where connector was installed." I have documentation attesting to this. I am not denying that switch was bad, but Honda is charging labor for the obvious recall repair that was incorrectly performed. I would like a partial refund for the labor they are charging for the time to repair the recall correction. Honda is denying the claim saying it is "wear and tear".”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 18, 2022Exterior lightingODI 11494169
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.