The problem
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.
The risk
A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle could also roll away if the parking brake has not been applied before the vehicle has been exited. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing either the left or right drive shaft, if necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk with an interim letter mailed February 2, 2021. A second letter will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are P9M, PAV, BAY, TAX, CA0, and MAZ.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 20V-770 (20V770000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | P9M, PAV, BAY, TAX |
| Manufacturer | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| Component | Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft |
| Report date | December 10, 2020 |
| Owners notified | March 8, 2021 |
| Vehicles affected | 248,358 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the transmission & drivetrain
- 2013 Acura ILX transmission problems 9
- 2014 Acura ILX transmission problems 2
- 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid transmission problems 3
- 2007 Honda Fit transmission problems 27
- 2008 Honda Fit transmission problems 24
- 2009 Honda Fit transmission problems 33
- 2010 Honda Fit transmission problems 16
- 2011 Honda Fit transmission problems 12
- 2012 Honda Fit transmission problems 14
- 2013 Honda Fit transmission problems 12
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 20V-770 repair free?
Yes. Acura dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing either the left or right drive shaft, if necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk with an interim letter mailed February 2, 2021.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 248,358 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.