2012 Honda Fit problems
The 2012 Honda Fit has 113 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2012 Honda Fit has 113 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 41 complaints, typically surfacing around 49,990 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Fit | 286 | 0 |
| 2010 Fit | 183 | 1 |
| 2011 Fit | 113 | 0 |
| 2012 Fit (this page) | 113 | 0 |
| 2013 Fit | 175 | 3 |
| 2015 Fit | 281 | 2 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2012 Honda Fit 5 HB FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2012 Honda Fit? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- airbags — 41 owner reports · tends to show around 49,990 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- steering — 16 owner reports · tends to show around 42,820 mi · ~$700 to fix
- powertrain — 14 owner reports · tends to show around 99,548 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- engine — 11 owner reports · tends to show around 58,525 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 49,990 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2012 Honda Fit
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2012 Honda Fit
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~46,000 misteering~$700
- ~79,000 miengine~$3,100
- ~89,032 mipowertrain~$2,500
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
While coming to a stop on a hill on a 4 lane highway, there was a sudden loud noise and the car started to roll backward.
I having intermittent loss of power steering. So far it has happened mostly with low speed turns. I will have to use more effort to complete the turn when this happens. I had the power steering light come on while driving straight ahead once for a few seconds. 60,000 miles…
When accelerating from a stop, I heard a loud bang followed by a buzzing/grinding sound. The engine was still running but the car would not move forward or in reverse. The car was towed to my mechanic who told me the axel had snapped at the location of a vibration damper.
Http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/comment/3559372 my car would not start today and eps light displays. Upon research, it appears that 2007-2010 models have no recall but link above deals with someone with a brand new 2012 fit that had a serious issue when their car was 2…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Honda Fit reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 113 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Honda Fit is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Honda Fit?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Honda Fit does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Honda Fit?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 41 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 49,990 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Honda Fit a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 113 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 49,990 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Honda Fit?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 41 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 49,990 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 49,990 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Honda Fit has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Honda Fit?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 113 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.