This page covers 10 recalls, 113 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Honda Fit.
29–31 mpg combined
7.6–8.1 L/100km
Small Station Wagons
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2012 Honda Fit, the dominant complaint pattern centers on airbags, which account by far for the largest share of owner reports. The bulk of these involve airbag warning lights illuminating and systems owners describe as failing to deploy or deploying unexpectedly, a pattern consistent with sensor or module issues rather than a single isolated event. Steering is the second most-reported system, with owners describing the electric power steering assist cutting out intermittently, sometimes accompanied by warning lights flashing and brief losses of steering response while driving in traffic. A handful of owners also report these steering episodes occurring alongside flickering interior electronics, suggesting a broader electrical involvement in some cases. The powertrain draws the third-largest complaint volume, with owners reporting engine misfires that trigger a speed-limiting mode mid-drive, sometimes recurring across a wide mileage range on the same vehicle.
113
Total Complaints
6
Crash-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Honda Fit has 10 recalls, the most serious being Takata airbag inflators on both the driver and passenger sides that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
Several of the remaining recalls also involve the passenger airbag inflator. In addition to the original Takata defect, some vehicles that previously had their passenger inflator replaced at a dealership may have received an incorrectly installed unit that can fail to deploy properly in a crash. Prior repair attempts at one or more dealerships did not fully resolve this issue, which is why multiple rounds of replacement inflators are covered.
On the drivetrain side, the drive shaft can break and cause a sudden loss of power, and if the parking brake has not been set before exiting, the vehicle may roll away.
Two recalls cover the electronic stability control system, one of which only affects Fit Sport trims. In both cases, the stability system can fail to intervene when the vehicle loses traction, allowing it to skid without correction and potentially strike a curb or leave the road.
At a glance
What can fail
The protective coating on drive shafts may not have been applied correctly during manufacturing, leaving them vulnerable to damage from road salt and contaminants, which could cause the drive shaft to break.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your drive shafts and replace the left or right drive shaft if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during a previous replacement, potentially affecting its ability to deploy properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the inflator installation and replace the passenger front air bag module assembly if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement, potentially affecting its ability to deploy properly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the passenger air bag and replace the module assembly if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Replacement passenger front air bag inflators may have been incorrectly installed at one dealership, potentially affecting proper deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module assembly at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost when parts become available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Vehicle Stability Assist system may not work properly, allowing tires to lose traction and the vehicle to skid without the system intervening. This could cause crashes if the vehicle hits a curb or leaves the road.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the Vehicle Stability Assist software to restore proper function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electronic stability control system may not properly limit excessive side-to-side movement at high steering angles with certain tires, affecting vehicle handling.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the stability control software at no cost to restore proper system function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Vehicle Stability Assist system may fail to prevent tire slippage and skidding in some Honda Fit Sport models, potentially leading to loss of vehicle control.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Vehicle Stability Assist software to restore proper system function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
