2009 Honda Fit Transmission Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  312%
• 25k–50k
  28%
• 50k–75k
  312%
• 75k–100k
  416%
• 100k–150k
  1248%
• 150k+
  14%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Honda Fit owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

On April 25, 2022 our 2009 Fit started rolling away when it was parked, not in gear and the parking brake was not set. In trying to "catch" the car from traveling into the street, my elderly husband took a bad fall and sustained a shattered shoulder, nerve damage, and other injuries. The car continued to travel into the street, and finally stopped after hitting the car parked across the street (my 2005 Toyota). At first, we thought it was simply an unfortunate incident and did not report the incident. Last week, however, we received the notice from Honda about the NHTSA Recall 20V-770. This is the first time we were notified about the recall! When I went to your website, it appears Honda knew about this in 2020. We are taking the car to the dealership tomorrow (August 5, 2022). I am grateful you have a site that puts our safety first. …

The contact owns a 2009 Honda Fit. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, causing the vehicle to reverse into oncoming traffic. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the driveshaft needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact then stated two months later, she received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V770000 (Power train). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact to send over documentation of the repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 135,703.

This is related to the Honda Fit 2000 manual transmission driver shaft recall (Service Bulletin 21-009). Part of the background of this recall reads: "Due to improper manufacturing, the paint on the driveshaft near the dynamic damper may peel and chip over time, exposing the bare metal and potentially causing it to corrode under the dynamic damper. A corroded driveshaft may break during high torque conditions, rendering the vehicle without propulsion, or allowing the vehicle to roll while in Park, which can increase the potential of a crash or injury." I was surprised to see that only the driver shaft where the dynamic damper is located would be replaced. After I brought in my car (a manual transmission) in for the recall I noticed that the other driver shaft (does not have a damper) is corroded as well. …

On Jan. 28, 2018 the drive shaft on my Honda Fit snapped while up shifting onto the main road. Car was towed and repaired the following day by a local shop. At the time there was no know recall for this part. My information and claim was submitted to Honda on 2/08/2021 with invoice and paid receipt. Honda verified that the part was repaired on my car and paid for. Honda has failed to either pay for the repair or send a letter of denial. Honda has also failed to return phone calls or return email. It should be noted that Honda claim agent harassed me by asking for unreasonable documentation such to prove the car was not in an accident or had to be pushed into the service bay at the repair shop. Claim number available upon request.

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.

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. …

Broken passenger transaxle. Our car suffered a break while accelerating from a city street stoplight, so the damage to the car was minimal and we posed no danger to other vehicles.(the vehicle was immediately disabled and had to be pushed to the side of the road) we were fortunate - if this happened at highways speeds, the results could have been far worse .this is a potentially dangerous situation where the transaxle can break, causing loss of steering, mobility and other under hood vehicle damage. My vehicle has all service and inspection work done at a local Honda dealer (Honda of joliet) and the failing part was never discovered. Because the defect/damage is hidden under the trans axle boot,this prevented any visual inspection from revealing it. However, the danger exists and a routine internet check reveals this is indeed a global issue that affects many of these cars. …

While turning right from a stop in busy urban intersection I heard loud pop and the car stopped moving. After tow to local Honda dealer and inspection the service writer told me that my right side(passenger)drive axle was broken. No determination of cause was offered only estimate to repair.due to unusual circumstances and part that was involved(basically steel rod that should not break open)I researched Honda web site for recalls and found one for 2014 Honda drive axles that were breaking under identical circumstances recall#14V258000. My inspection revealed crystallization of axle material(probably due to improper processing during manufacture). Above mentioned recall was done because of processing problem. Please advise as to further steps to take regarding this issue. The axle is available for inspection. Towing and repair bill is available(electronic file will not load). Thank you. …

2009 Honda Fit sport VIN# [redacted]. We live in maine. It was happen after my wife drop my daughter at school. She drive back home she exit regular street turn left to rout 1 then the car stop moving at the middle of the road. The other car that drive on rout 1 need to stop immediately. Luckily my wife car didn't get hit and my daughter didn't stay in the car. 2 guys helping my wife car to the side and then she call police and tow the car home. Car still started normally but when I change shift to d it not move forward and put r not move backwards either even p I push the car it still move it not park and car make noise sound on p. I think it is a power train problem.

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Honda Fit. The contact stated while getting vehicle serviced, the technicians notified the contact that the driveshaft was worn and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer ocean Honda of north hollywood (5841 lankershim blvd, north hollywood, ca 91601, [phone]) where it was diagnosed with needing the driveshaft to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 20V770000 (power train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

Related recalls

Transmission complaints in other Fit years