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ProblemsByVin File / 2012-HONDA-FIT NHTSA data synced 7 hours ago
2012 · Honda

Honda Fit problems

113 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.

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Reliability score
7.8 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

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Critical
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Severe
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Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Fit?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

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.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
41 reports · fails ~49,990 mi · avg $1,100
severe
steering
16 reports · fails ~42,820 mi · avg $700
severe
powertrain
14 reports · fails ~99,548 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
engine
11 reports · fails ~58,525 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
cruise control
6 reports · fails ~27,687 mi · avg $600
moderate
electrical
6 reports · fails ~32,650 mi · avg $850
severe
fuel system
3 reports · fails ~24,733 mi · avg $1,200
moderate
suspension
3 reports · fails ~79,971 mi · avg $900
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2012 Fit's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2012 Fit?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2012 Fit · powertrain
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.
12/26/2019 · at 168,849 mi · NHTSA ODI #11291398.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2012 Fit · steering
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…
12/25/2019 · at 60,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11291175.0 · see steering pattern →
2012 Fit · powertrain
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.
12/16/2020 · at 87,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11383793.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2012 Fit · steering
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…
12/05/2016 · at 24,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10930066.0 · see steering pattern →
View all 113 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2012 Honda Fit? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
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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'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.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 7 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Honda/Fit. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Honda. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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