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.
2012 Honda Fit powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 Honda Fit have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 89,032 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Fit | 23 |
| 2009 Fit | 33 |
| 2010 Fit | 13 |
| 2011 Fit | 12 |
| 2012 Fit (this page) | 14 |
| 2013 Fit | 11 |
| 2015 Fit | 36 |
| 2016 Fit | 7 |
When does it fail?
Of the 14 powertrain complaints filed for the 2012 Honda Fit, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ 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 powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant failure is front CV axle fracture, reported in 11 of 14 complaints. These breaks occur during acceleration from complete stops or low-speed turns, typically between 74,000 and 118,000 miles. Owners hear a loud bang or clunk, then find the vehicle completely immobilized despite the engine running. In several cases where the vehicle was on an incline or in traffic, it rolled backward, creating serious safety hazards. Multiple owners report both front axles failing on the same car, with one owner experiencing a replacement axle break again after just 10,000 miles.
Owners and repair shops attribute the fractures to corrosion under the rubber vibration damper, which is held by only one stainless steel clamp. Water and salt accumulate beneath the damper, eating away at the axle until it snaps. NHTSA Recall 20V770000 covers driver-side axle failure and is honored free; however, one owner's passenger-side axle repair was denied reimbursement despite the VIN being in the recall.
Secondary issues include transmission lurching at 20 mph with a stuck pressure switch (P0847 code), and unexplained steering loss of control during highway driving in temperatures above 87°F, accompanied by loose steering feel and dash rattle. The steering condition could not be replicated or diagnosed by the dealership.
Same Honda Fit powertrain reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2013 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Front axle shaft fracture (CV axle)
Front CV axle shaft breaks, typically near or under the rubber vibration damper, causing sudden loss of propulsion and immobilization of the vehicle. Owners report this occurs during acceleration from stops or low-speed maneuvers. The fracture is preceded by corrosion under the vibration damper, which reduces the axle diameter and weakens the shaft. Multiple instances involve both passenger-side and driver-side axles on the same vehicle.
When: Between 74,000 and 118,000 miles; typically during acceleration from a complete stop or low-speed turn
Symptoms owners cite: Loud bang or clunk when accelerating from stop; Grinding or buzzing sound after impact noise; Complete loss of forward or reverse propulsion; Vehicle rolls backward when immobilized on inclines; Vehicle will not move despite engine running
Repairs/costs cited: CV axle replacement; owners report costs of $740 total for two axles, individual passenger-side axle repair not covered under warranty per one owner. One owner reports right front axle broke twice within one year, with replacement breaking again at 10,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall NHTSA Campaign 20V770000 (Powertrain) covers driver-side CV axle failure; covered free under recall. Passenger-side axle failure on recalled vehicle denied for reimbursement despite submitted repair bill.
Transmission 3rd clutch pressure switch malfunction
Transmission fluid pressure switch B (3rd clutch) becomes stuck in the on position, triggering a diagnostic fault code. This occurs alongside lurching behavior at low speeds and illumination of the malfunction indicator light.
When: Mileage not specified in complaint; symptom onset occurred during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lurching at approximately 20 mph during straight-line driving; Malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination; Intermittent lurching over multiple miles of driving
Codes mentioned: P0847 (Transmission Fluid Pressure Switch B / 3rd Clutch - Short or Stuck On)
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of transmission 3rd pressure switch quoted at $650. No warranty coverage offered.
Steering system loss of control at highway speed in high heat
At sustained highway speeds of 70–75 mph when ambient temperature exceeds 87°F, the vehicle experiences intermittent, sudden lane deviation without steering wheel feedback. The wheels veer out of lane rapidly, requiring constant correction. Simultaneously, steering becomes noticeably looser, and a rattling sound occurs from dashboard air vents. The issue is reproducible when hot weather returns but cannot be diagnosed when ambient temperature is cooler.
When: During heat waves; can occur at speeds as low as 45 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Wheels veer out of lane rapidly without warning; Loss of steering feedback; Steering becomes loose, requiring 4x normal input (1/4-inch to 1-inch of wheel movement); Rattling/rain-stick-like sound from dash air vents every 20 seconds; Occurs every 1–2 seconds at highway speeds, becoming less frequent at lower speeds
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership unable to replicate the issue during cooler weather; no diagnosis or remedy provided.
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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.
The left front axle shaft broke in june 2018, with 89,032 odometer miles, and the right axle shaft broke december 3, 2019 with 105,436 miles. In the most recent instance I was stopped on a hill, with a car behind me, and when I tried to accelerate the axle broke and my car started rolling backwards. I applied the brakes quickly enough to avoid hitting the car behind me. In the first instance my…
The passenger side axle snapped in two inside the rubber damper weight at its center. As Honda forums on the internet show, this is becoming more common as fits age. The damper is held in place by only one stainless steel clamp ( at its lower end). Since water and salt can enter its upper end , without a clamp there, it stays in the space between the axle and damper and the corrosion begins. Even…
Driveshaft fractured and the car wouldn't move please refer to NHTSA recall 14v-258 for similar or same details.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2012 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 powertrain problem on the 2012 Honda Fit?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 74,000 and 118,000 miles, with the median around 89,032. A quarter of owners report trouble before 74,000; a quarter make it past 118,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2012/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.