HONDA: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. WARRANTY EXTENSION DUE TO ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WITH CODE DTC 32-09 OR 61-04. MODEL 2007-08 FIT.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Honda Fit steering problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 12 steering complaints filed for the 2008 Honda Fit, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service bulletin - American Honda is extending the warranty on the EPS (electric power steering) to 10 years from the original date of purchase or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. This warranty covers vehicles where the steering feels heavier than normal, or is hard to turn, particularly when the vehicle is not moving, and the EPS indicator comes on with DTC 61-04 (open/short in the EPS motor harness [steering diagnosis]) or DTC 32-09 (current sensor [initial diagnosis]) stored.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗HONDA: THE STEERING FEELS HEAVY AND THERE IS A STORED TROUBLE CODE. THERE IS A MALFUNCTION OF THE POWER STEERING. UPDATE 03/03/15
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2008 Honda Fit steering problems center on the electronic power steering (EPS) module shutting down without warning. When it happens, the steering wheel locks solid or becomes extremely heavy—sometimes at highway speeds (45–75 mph), sometimes at idle, sometimes during a cold start. The EPS warning light comes on, and the only fix owners have found is turning the ignition off and back on. Honda issued an internal bulletin (#09-043) acknowledging the defect and later extended the warranty to 10 years or 150,000 miles for this specific fault (DTC codes 32-09 or 61-04), but dealerships refuse to service the problem if no fault code is showing when you bring the car in.
Costs run $700 to $1,100 for an EPS module replacement out of pocket. The failures are tied to cold weather and temperature swings—one owner reported the steering freezing up at 5°C mornings and jerking at highway speeds when the AC kicked in on a hot day. One vehicle also had cascading electrical failures (battery, alternator, and complete power loss in traffic) that compounded the steering issue. Owners describe this as a genuine safety hazard: losing power steering mid-turn, mid-lane change, or at intersection entry could easily cause a crash.
Same Honda Fit steering reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Power Steering Module Failure
The electronic power steering (EPS) unit loses functionality entirely, causing the steering wheel to become locked or extremely heavy. The EPS warning light illuminates, and power is restored only after turning the ignition off and back on. Owners report this occurs unpredictably—sometimes at highway speeds (45–75 mph), sometimes at idle, sometimes during cold starts. One owner replaced the entire EPS unit at $1,100; another was quoted $700+ for module replacement under Honda's internal bulletin addressing a faulty chip in the steering control unit.
When: At 48K miles, 100K miles, and various intervals; occurs on cold mornings (5–6°C), during acceleration with AC use, and randomly during driving
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering warning light illuminates; Steering wheel locks or becomes extremely heavy and difficult to turn; Loss of power steering at highway speeds and idle; Temporary loss of power steering when turning into intersections; Steering wheel completely immovable in one instance
Codes mentioned: 32-09, 61-04, 37-1
Repairs/costs cited: Honda internal bulletin references a faulty chip in the electronic power steering module requiring replacement. Owners report costs of $700–$1,100 for replacement; one dealership replaced an onboard computer; independent mechanic could not diagnose.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda issued warranty extension (October 2014) for 2007–2008 Fit electric power steering to 10 years/150K miles for DTC 32-09 or 61-04. Dealerships refused service when no fault code was present at time of appointment. Honda denied warranty coverage when complaints occurred beyond 36K factory warranty. Multiple owners report Honda bulletin #09-043 addressing this issue.
Steering Wheel Lock-Up During Cold Starts
Steering wheel becomes stiff and difficult to turn when the vehicle is cold (around 5–6°C / 41°F). The power steering warning light activates. The problem resolves after the engine warms up or after cycling the ignition multiple times. This pattern is tied to ambient temperature changes and is particularly triggered when transitioning from cold to warm (e.g., starting AC on a hot day causes jerking even at highway speeds).
When: Early morning cold starts (5–6°C); occurs within first 10 minutes of driving; worse in weather transitions from warm to cold or when AC engages on hot days
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes stiff and hard to turn at cold startup; Power steering warning light comes on; Steering wheel jerks at high speeds when AC engages on hot days; Problem resolves after engine warms up or multiple ignition cycles
Codes mentioned: 32-09, 61-04
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair costs cited for this mode; owners have cycled ignition to temporarily restore function.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda warranty extension (October 2014) covers this condition (DTC 32-09 or 61-04) to 10 years/150K miles, but dealerships refused service when no code was logged at time of visit.
Intermittent Power Steering Failure with Electrical Cascade
One vehicle experienced multiple complete electrical shutdowns (battery and alternator failures requiring replacement twice in one year) accompanied by power steering loss and inoperative hazard lights. The vehicle stalled in highway traffic with steering impossible. This differs from isolated EPS module failure and suggests a broader electrical system issue potentially triggering EPS fault codes or compounding the steering problem.
When: June 2011 onwards; vehicle purchased as certified used in November 2010 with ~100K miles at time of major failure
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard lighting dims while driving; Steering becomes difficult; Vehicle completely loses power in traffic with steering inoperable; Hazard lights non-functional; Battery and alternator failures (second occurrence in one year)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced battery and alternator twice within one year; did not resolve steering or electrical shutdown incidents. Owner reports ongoing Honda Fit online forum discussion of similar issues.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner filed complaint with American Honda (September 2011, Case #N0122011-09-0701741) and requested NYS Lemon Law arbitration in 2011 but reports no response from Honda.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Orange light comes on and freezes the power steering. Vehicle is very difficult to steer. This is especially bad when there is a change in the weather, especially a change from warm to cold. Once the engine is warmed up, I can usually get the wheel to loosen and the power steering to engage if I turn it off and back on. If it's a hot day and I crank up the ac the wheel will often jerk (even at…
Had steering trouble with your 2008 Honda Fit?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2008 Honda Fit?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 55,000 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,000; a quarter make it past 100,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Honda/Fit.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.