TECHLINE SUMMARY ARTICLE - IF YOU RUN ACROSS A SPARK PLUG THATS LOOSE OR HAS BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD BEFORE REACHING THE FIRST SERVICE INTERVAL (GENERALLY AT 105K), CHANCES ARE IT WASNT TORQUED ENOUGH WHEN IT WAS INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS CAN BE AS MINOR AS REINSTALLING THE SPARK PLUG TO COMPLETE CYLINDER HEAD REPLACEMENT DUE TO SPARK PLUG THREAD HOLE DAMAGE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Honda Fit engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Honda Fit have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Fit | 14 |
| 2010 Fit | 7 |
| 2011 Fit | 8 |
| 2012 Fit | 11 |
| 2013 Fit (this page) | 10 |
| 2015 Fit | 25 |
| 2016 Fit | 4 |
| 2017 Fit | 6 |
When does it fail?
Of the 10 engine complaints filed for the 2013 Honda Fit, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 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 engine 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 of 2013 Honda Fits consistently report spark plugs coming loose in the cylinder head, a problem that appears tied to improper factory torque specification. One owner found the #2 spark plug completely out of threads at 109,500 miles; another reported the same plug vibrating loose at just 38,000 miles. The issue manifests as check engine lights (sometimes blinking), cylinder misfire codes, and rough running. At highway speeds, some owners experienced sudden engine cutout—creating serious safety concerns—while others noticed reduced fuel economy and rough running beforehand.
Secondary damage is common: ignition coils develop heat damage and carbon tracking from the abnormal combustion created by loose plugs. One owner reported fuel smell entering the cabin and became dizzy from exhaust fumes; another's coil melted completely, stranding them.
Repairs involve replacing all spark plugs and affected coils. One dealer charged $105 with remaining costs covered under a "goodwill" warranty after the owner objected to paying full price. A Honda technical summary (ATS 160714 Version 2) addresses this loose-plug issue, but at least one dealer claimed no knowledge of it. Owners report feeling unsafe driving these vehicles and requested a recall to prevent injury or accident from sudden power loss.
Same Honda Fit engine reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Loose/Backed-Out Spark Plugs
Spark plugs come loose or back out of the cylinder head due to factory torque specification failure. The issue appears to be related to compression gaskets stuck on plug threads, allowing tightening but losing compression seal. One owner reported a spark plug top piece breaking off and falling into the cylinder.
When: 38,000 to 109,500 miles; some occurrences early (48,077 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light (blinking in some cases); Cylinder misfire detected by ECU; Engine misfiring at highway speeds (60 mph); VSA light illumination; Engine cutout/stalling at highway speeds; Vehicle loss of power; Rough running before failure; Reduced fuel economy
Codes mentioned: Cylinder #2 misfire, P0302 (inferred from cylinder 2 misfire detection)
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plug replacement (all four plugs in some cases); replacement of ignition coils for affected cylinders; one dealer charged $105 with remainder covered under goodwill warranty; owner also reported Honda dealer unfamiliar with TSB ATS 160714 Version 2 addressing this issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB ATS 160714 Version 2 addresses loose and blown-out spark plugs due to failed factory torque specification; goodwill warranty coverage mentioned by one owner; no official recall noted in narratives
Fuel Smell/Fuel Bypass into Cabin
Loose spark plug #2 causes fuel blow-by, allowing fuel vapor/fumes to enter the cabin through fresh air intake system. One owner reported becoming dizzy and nauseous from exhaust fumes entering the passenger compartment.
When: Low mileage (38,000 miles documented); also reported at 109,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel smell in cabin when outside air selected; Gasoline fumes in passenger compartment; Dizziness and nausea from exhaust fumes
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair cost cited; loose spark plug tightening would address the root cause
Ignition Coil Heat Damage and Carbon Tracking
Ignition coils for cylinders 1 and 2 develop heat damage and carbon tracking, likely secondary to loose spark plugs creating abnormal combustion conditions. Coils require replacement.
When: 49,381 miles and 48,077 miles documented
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cutout at highway speeds; Vehicle limp mode after dealer repair attempt; Loss of engine power
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of 2 ignition coils (cylinders 1 and 2); replaced alongside all 4 spark plugs
Engine Motor Mount Fracture
Engine motor mount fractures, causing engine movement and potential drivetrain stress. Unrelated to spark plug issues; may be a separate defect.
When: 28,900 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalled without warning during acceleration from stop
Repairs/costs cited: Motor mount replacement performed by independent mechanic
Melted Ignition Coil
Ignition coil melts completely, causing vehicle to stall and strand owner on roadside. Likely related to heat stress from loose spark plug misfire condition.
When: Mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Complete coil melting; Engine shutdown leaving vehicle stranded
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Due to a friend having an issue with their same year/model car, my mom being overly cautious, thankfully brought hers in to be checked. They found the car had premature loose plugs and damaged coils. Required replacement of 4 plugs and 2 coils. This happened at only 48,077 miles. If she had not brought it in when she did, this could have been a serious and dangerous problem like her friend who…
I loaned my car to a relative for three days and when it was returned I detected a fuel smell in cabin when outside air was selected. On the heated. I am a retired aircraft mechanic and know my way around engines. I did an internet search and found a Honda tech line summary article ats 160714 version 2 ( loose and blown out spark plugs due to failed factory torque). Number two plug had a…
ECU detected a cylinder #2 misfire, check engine light started blinking while idling. prior, noticed a little bit of misfiring while driving at 60 mph, faint but noticeable. well aware of the plaqued inner cylinder's spark plugs coming loose on these make and models and honda's failed torque spec being changed from for the spark plug being in the cylinder. know this because of forums online. the…
Had engine trouble with your 2013 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 engine problem on the 2013 Honda Fit?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 42,337 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2013/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.