Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Honda Fit owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving from oklahoma to california (specifically kingman, az to barstow, ca), my engine spontaneously caught on fire. It was put out immediately by a good samaritan. After the fire, there was oil leakage all over the highway and where it was towed; there was also gas leakage. It was towed to the dealership on 6/7/18. They say that there was no motor oil prior to the fire starting so are blaming me for the fire. I had an oil change about a month ago and saw no signs of oil leakage at my parking space or any time during this trip. There were no warnings prior to this fire and no indication that anything was wrong. I was very frightened and am still impacted by this fire. I am being told that the repair will be $14,000.00 which is way more than the car is worth. I am 68 years old and am on a fixed income. I have always taken good care of my cars and took good care of this one. …
On August 17, 2018 my Honda Fit stopped moving while I was driving on the entry ramp of a freeway. It was towed to repair shop where I was told the #2 spark plug was damaged. They installed a thread insert and replaced the ignition coil and spark plug and it cost $812.55. The mechanic said that the spark plug popped out because it was not installed correctly. When I asked for reimbursement for the repair at the Honda service center that had done the 100,000 major service on the Honda three years ago, I was told the warranty had expired and they would not reimburse me. I have since researched the problem online and discovered that problems with spark plugs popping out or blowing out in Honda fits are not uncommon and that occurrence is extremely dangerous. …
Car stalls and dies after initial start. Sometimes even with warming car up for 5-10 minutes. Outdoor temperature can be 90 degrees and this still happens. If I start my car, let it run for 5 minutes, put it in drive, the minute I begin to slow for a stop sign or simply for an approaching stop or intersection my car will shudder and die. There is no check engine light and two mechanics have found no codes soft or hard to shed any light on why this is happening. I have already paid $300 for a valve adjustment, replaced spark plugs and I'm still having the issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Honda Fit. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled on several occasions after being serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 11V101000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 13,221.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Honda Fit. While driving 80 MPH, fuel fumes emitted in and around the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the spark plugs were loose and fuel was leaking onto the engine. As a result, the spark plugs and the coil needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 56,000.
Leaving client's driveway, put car in reverse and backed out of driveway stopping at the opposite side, across the street. Turned steering in the direction I was heading and placed car in drive. Lifted my foot off brake and car took off without my foot touching the accelerator. It was like I had depressed the accelerator to the floor and my foot never touched the accelerator. I hit a parked car. I was terrified.
The starter in all of these vehicles goes bad very fast. Stating with an odd sound of metal to metal on cold starts (due to the starter not retracting fast enough) 5 people that live near me have all had the same problem my car is now doing it again with a 3 year old replacement denso OEM Honda starter, Honda needs to fix this...
Fuel mixing in with the engine oil . After changing the oil or checking the dip stick the engine oil smells heavily like fuel. Fuel is somehow mixing with the engines oil . Vehicle was parked when I noticed the fuel smell inside the cabin and then proceeded to check the oil.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Honda Fit. The contact stated that she received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 11V101000 (engine and engine cooling) and contacted the dealer April 21, 2011 to secure an appointment for repairs. The dealer advised that the earliest they could secure her appointment was for July 6, 2011. She then called the manufacturer but they referred her back to the dealer. Later, while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the failure recurred three additional times and the contact had to call a tow truck company to jumpstart the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for the failure. The contact was unsatisfied with how far out the recall repairs were scheduled for and believed it to surpass a reasonable amount of time. The failure mileage was 11,000 and the current mileage was 12,000.
I bought a brand new 2009 Honda Fit, heard noise from motor, right after I received a letter stating this car had a recall (springs) in the motor, took the car to dealer, they replaced the springs, car still had noise, took it back & following day said they had to re-adjust the valves, picked up the car the next day & still noise, dealer refused to take cr back, car make noise from the valves in the motor, these defective springs caused damaged to my brand new vehicle.. I don't feel safe driving this car, I fear for other's safety & my family's safety... I am requesting from Honda that they refund the money I paid for this defective car & take the car, the car doesn't respond well when I accelerate it... I don't know what to do..please help !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the spring assemblies in the engine if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on March 7, 2011. Owners May contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Engine complaints in other Fit years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2009 Honda Fit?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2009 Honda Fit, 7% of the model year's 287 complaints. The component named most often is engine (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Honda Fit engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-101 (engine and engine cooling, Feb 17, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Honda Fit engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 25,000 miles, and 47% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.