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Research · Small Station Wagons

2009 Honda FitRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 287 owner complaints for the 2009 Honda Fit. Most complaints involve air bags (104) and steering (46). The EPA rates it 29–31 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
29–31mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
11campaigns
Latest Dec 2020
Owner complaints
287
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

11 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Power train: driveshaft

Remedy pending

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.

Power trainReported Dec 10, 2020NHTSA 20V770000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 with driver 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.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V500000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot 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.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V502000
See all 11 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

287 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2008 – Jul 2026
  1. Air bags104
  2. Steering46
  3. Power train33
  4. Electrical system23
  5. Visibility17
  6. Structure14
  7. Engine13
  8. Tires12
  9. Engine and engine cooling7

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

By model year

Complaints for each Fit model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007370
2008217
2009287
2010184
2011113
2012113
2013176
2015284
2016122
201743
2018117
2019138
202037
Crashes reported
23
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
22
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

104 reports13 crashes
“Honda has sent me numerous mailers advertising a gift card and loaner vehicle as incentives for participating in their Takata recall. Honda also cites the promise of a loaner vehicle in every press release trumpeting their so-called commitment to this recall. My local Honda dealership refuses to provide a loaner vehicle. I reported this problem to Honda expecting them to intervene, but I received nothing except useless automated email responses.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2024Air bagsODI 11623501

Steering

46 reports1 crash
“At highways speeds vehicle became difficult to maintain in a straight path. Slight change in the steering would result in car drifting to the left or right, requiring constant correction. Car felt unsafe to drive...took to mechanic to be diagnosed. Informed car needed a new steering rack system.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2023SteeringODI 11533051

Power train

33 reports1 crash1 fire
“Pulling out onto a busy highway my car lost propulsion. It died in the middle of the highway with cars coming towards me. I found out the front right drive axle broke. I have photos of the broken drive axle. I later found out the part was recalled. I was never notified of any recall. I had my mechanic fix the car. He put in a new axle. Then I found out (on Facebook) that the axle was covered by recall. I called Honda. They said they will reimburse me for the repair. I sent them all the info, detailed bill and paid in full receipt. They did not pay. They closed my case. They do not return phone calls or letters.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2022Power trainODI 11480197
All 2009 Fit problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Station Wagons
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd · Automatic (S5) · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Fit
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283531$2,050287
Fit
Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273330$2,150296
Fit
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273329$2,200306
  • Fit
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    28 city · 35 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Fit
    Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    27 city · 33 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Fit
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    27 city · 33 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Honda Fit as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 5376
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 Fit questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Honda Fit have?

11 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2009 Honda Fit problems?

Owners filed 287 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (104), steering (46), power train (33). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Honda Fit get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Honda Fit at 29–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026