Service bulletin - For any TPMS-related warranty repairs, all recorded DTCs must now be entered into the warranty claim. Make sure your repair order includes those DTCs.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Honda Fit tires problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $150 · see tires across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$150
When does it fail?
Of the 11 tires complaints filed for the 2009 Honda Fit, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Of the 4 model years of Honda Fit we track for tires problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 11.
No new NHTSA tires complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 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 tires 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report multiple tire failures across different brands (Bridgestone, Dunlop, Yokohama) equipped on 2009 Fits, with the most alarming incidents involving sudden blowouts at highway speed. One owner experienced two blowouts within two weeks—the first blew on the highway at 65 mph despite recent dealer rotation; the second, a front tire with a fist-sized sidewall hole, sent the vehicle barely under control. The dealer blamed road hazards and refused to inspect or replace the remaining tires from the original set.
Sidewall bulges and blisters are common, appearing as early as 15,000–16,000 miles. One owner's Bridgestone tire developed a blister after 16,803 miles; another's Yokohama had a sidewall bulge after a minor curb strike, with the same vehicle developing a second bulge within 12 months. Bridgestone denied a warranty claim after four months, citing road hazard despite the owner's denial of accidents.
Tread wear is also rapid, with tires wearing out by 20,000–24,000 miles. Additional complaints include a TPMS sensor that stayed illuminated after dealer reset and over-inflation attempts, continuous air loss from all four tires, and wheel lockup during towing. Replacement tires cost around $175 each and are often unavailable locally, requiring special order.
Failure modes owners describe
Sudden tire blowout at highway speed
Rear tires separating from the wheel rim or developing fist-sized sidewall holes with no warning, even shortly after dealer inspection and rotation. Two separate blowouts occurred within two weeks on the same vehicle.
When: First blowout at ~3 months/unknown mileage (May 2010); second at ~2 weeks later. Another report at 1,000 miles of towing.
Symptoms owners cite: Tire completely separated from wheel at the bead; Fist-sized hole in sidewall; Severely bent rim; Low tire pressure light illuminated just before first blowout; no warning before second
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced first blown tire and waived labor; second blowout required tire and rim replacement. Dealer refused to replace remaining tires from original batch or provide written inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer blamed road hazards despite owner assertion of no potholes or debris; refused to provide warranty coverage or replace remaining tires.
Sidewall bulge or bubble development
Blisters, bulges, and bubbles forming on tire sidewalls at relatively low mileage, indicating internal structural failure. Multiple instances across different tire brands (Bridgestone, Dunlop, Yokohama).
When: 16,803 miles; 20,000 miles; 15,000 miles; less than 15,000 miles on repeat occurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Visible blister or bubble on sidewall; Bubble on side of tire; Sidewall bulge after minor curb strike; Repeat bulge formation on same vehicle within 12 months
Repairs/costs cited: Tires replaced; Bridgestone warranty claim denied (blamed road hazard); Dunlop tires on national back order, vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Bridgestone denied warranty claim after 120 days; Dunlop tires placed on national back order with no repair performed.
Excessive tread wear
Abnormally rapid tread wear occurring across all four tires, limiting tire lifespan and requiring premature replacement.
When: 20,000 to 22,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive tread wear on all four tires; Tires worn out at 24,000 miles
Repairs/costs cited: Dunlop tires on national back order; cost cited as $175 per tire with mount and balance.
Persistent TPMS sensor malfunction
Tire pressure monitoring system warning light remaining illuminated after sensor reset attempts, tire rotation, and over-inflation. Sensor repairs at dealership ineffective.
When: Immediately after tire service/rotation
Symptoms owners cite: TPMS warning light remains on continuously; Light persists after 30 minutes of driving; Light remains on after overnight parking; Light remains on after dealer sensor repair; Light remains on after tire over-inflation
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempted sensor reset and repair; tire over-inflation attempted as fix but ineffective. Consumer required tire purchase on two separate occasions.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer service advisor claimed sensor would auto-reset after 10–15 minutes of driving; technician claimed repair but light persisted.
Front wheel lockup during towing
Front wheels locked up suddenly while vehicle was being towed behind a motorhome, requiring tire replacement and raising questions about ABS or electrical system involvement.
When: After approximately 1,000 miles of towing over several days
Symptoms owners cite: Front wheels locked up at low speed (5 mph) when pulling into gas station
Repairs/costs cited: Both front tires replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer could not explain the cause; speculated battery failure or low voltage but uncertain of connection to wheel lockup or ABS damage.
Continuous air loss from tires
All four tires losing air pressure persistently, requiring daily inflation. One tire also developed a bulge.
When: At 22,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: All four tires losing air daily; Bulge or bubble on one tire
TPMS valve stem cracking during service
Tire valve stem with integrated TPMS module cracked and broke during routine tire inflation at a service facility.
When: During servicing
Symptoms owners cite: Valve stem/TPMS module cracked and broke when inflating tire
Repairs/costs cited: Valve stem/TPMS module required replacement
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
My original equipment bridgestone turanza el-470 tire developed a blister in the sidewall after only 16,803 miles. Fortunately the blister was spotted during a meal break in temple, texas. We were returning home to san antonio from dallas on december 26, 2010. Because of the holiday, the late hour and the unavailability of a replacement we were forced to pay for a hotel room in temple for…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Honda fit equipped with dunlop sp sport tires, line size 185/55r 16(n/a). The vehicle was parked when the contact noticed excessive tread wear on all four tires. The contact also noticed bubbles developing on the side walls of both rear tires. The manufacturer of the tires as well as an authorized dealer was notified and the contact was told the tires were on national…
Had tires trouble with your 2009 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 tires problem on the 2009 Honda Fit?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $150 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the tires typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, tires issues most often appear around 28,361 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $150 for tires 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 tires?
No active recalls currently cover tires 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/2009/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.