Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 1% | 11,000 miles |
| 2018 | 4 | 3% | 7,000 miles |
| 2017 | 4 | 9% | 29,000 miles |
| 2016 | 7 | 6% | 34,000 miles |
| 2015 | 38 | 13% | 77,000 miles |
| 2013 | 12 | 7% | 75,000 miles |
| 2012 | 14 | 12% | 89,000 miles |
| 2011 | 12 | 11% | 80,000 miles |
| 2010 | 16 | 9% | 104,000 miles |
| 2009 | 33 | 11% | 110,000 miles |
| 2008 | 24 | 11% | 106,000 miles |
| 2007 | 27 | 7% | 94,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Two separate issues: The variable valve timing control (VTC) actuator is defective. There is a Honda service bulletin on this issue that has impacted many years of Honda Fits and has proven to be a defective unit. Service Bulletin 16-088. This repair should be covered as this defective part can cause severe damage to the engine costing the consumer thousands of dollars to repair. A simple search of Honda Fit VTC issues will show an outsized number of people having this issue. This is Honda's own service bulletin - The exterior paint on the vehicle may peel off. American Honda is extending the warranty on the paint of the affected vehicles to 7 years from the original date of purchase with no mileage limit. This warranty extension does not apply to other paint issues like rock chips, scratches, bird droppings, sap, wraps, dents, collision damage, customer-induced damage, etc. …
I have noticed a grinding/rattling when starting my Fit from a cold engine. I have taken the car to the dealership and mentioned the noise - they recommended getting a new battery. Afterwards the noice was still happening. I took it in again and stated theres a rattling sound on a cold start. The dealer said that couldn't replicate it and probably related to the exhaust system. Now I have taken it in once again because the noise is getting worse and not just on cold starts and at this point they inform me that it's the VTC Actuator. Upon hearing this I googled the part and this is a long running issue for Hondas and there have been several service bulletins about it. The VTC Alternator has cause the timing chain to stretch in some vehicles according to this search which then can cause total engine failure. …
After the routine transmission fluid flush at about 36K miles, the vehicle stalls out/jerks after switching the selector from P to D. The issue is intermittent though. Also, the vehicle got a worsened MPG which decreased from 38-39mpg (average) to 31-33mpg on the same driving routine. And most important, the CVT transmission "switches" to neutral every time you decelerate making the vehicle unstable at higher speeds. The vehicle was inspected at the two different dealerships and none of those bring out a solution, stating that this is beyond their ability to fix something since no warning lights or messages are being illuminating. Called the manufacturer, got advised to follow up with another dealership. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WARMER FILTER IN THE CVT TRANSMISSION WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THIS CAUSED THE FLUID FLOW OBSTRUCTION WHILE DECELERATING. …
Vehicle is experiencing intermittent fault with air-fuel ratio of cylinder. Problems began at 50,000 miles and the dealer recommended engine cleaning due to carbon buildup. This did not solve the issues. Warranty repair was refused at that time, and has since lapsed out of warranty. This results in a malfunction indicator lamp on the dash. Car has additionally failed to start on occasion, and varies greatly in the number of cranks necessary to start. Also sometimes experience shuddering and movement of the vehicle when stopped. The reliability of the vehicle is compromised, which is a significant safety issue.
The breather tube for the CVT transmission becomes clogged, causing the rubber fill plug to pop out and spill CVT fluid and allow water, dirt, rocks, and other debris to enter directly into the transmission. This has caused a slipping of the transmission at low speed when accelerating from a stop. Several times, when pulling out on a main road, it will stutter and not apply power to accelerate properly. I am genuinely concerned that it's going to cause me to get hit by an oncoming vehicle. There is no warning as to when the plug will pop out again and it's in a difficult to locate area underneath the engine air intake, which must be removed to access the plug. It's not easily visible to see when it has popped out. There were no warning lights or signs of the plug being popped out of place until the transmission began having issues with acceleration. …
I was told that my vehicle has a defective VTC Actuator part per Honda notice 16-088 that will cause catastrophic failure of the engine and drivetrain. After diagnosis with the dealership they confirmed the risk stating, "The VTC does control the timing so it could cause it to jump timing. If that happens there is a possibility of catastrophic failure if you don't catch it quick enough." Despite bringing the vehicle in for repair 3 times after the release of the notice there was no attempt to repair the vehicle inside the warranty period. I am the original owner and reported the issue immediately after purchasing it as the characteristic "Rattle/grinding" was quite noticable on startup. We asked about this noise and was told, "Its normal." On my next service visit, after the expiration of the warranty at 60k miles, I was asked to pay $1800 to repair it. …
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Fit. The contact stated that while driving 45-50 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, with the gear shift indicator light in neutral(N), and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with ignition software failure. The mechanic replaced the ignition switch. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 35-45 MPH, approximately four to five days later, the warning lights illuminated, the gear shift indicator light was in reverse(R), and the vehicle suddenly stalled in the middle of the roadway. The vehicle was pushed into the driveway of the contact's son. The contact stated that the incident was significantly frightening because the contact was a disabled heart patient, and there were two plates in the contact's neck due to a previous accident. …
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Fit. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the transmission warning light started flashing and the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local AAMCO Transmission Service Center who diagnosed that the transmission drive pulley had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V574000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 79,852.
Related recalls (3)
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
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,…
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Civic vehicles manufactured January 16, 2014, to November 6, 2014 and 2015 Fit vehicles manufactured March 12, 2014, to May 12, 2015.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 30, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
American Honda Motor Co., Ltd, (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2013 Honda Fit vehicles manufactured May 24, 2013, through July 5, 2013, and equipped with a manual transmission. The passenger side driveshaft may break while driving due to an improper heat treatment application during manufacturing.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the passenger side driveshaft and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 23, 2014.
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Fit years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2015 (38), 2009 (33), 2007 (27), 2008 (24) and 2010 (16) model years. Transmission complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 2015.
Is there a recall for Honda Fit transmission problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 20V-770 (driveshaft, Dec 10, 2020); 15V-574 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), Sep 15, 2015); 14V-258 (driveshaft, May 16, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Honda Fit transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles; 22% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (3 mentions), followed by the axle assembly › axle shaft (2).
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.