Two separate issues: The variable valve timing control (VTC) actuator is defective. There is a Honda service bulletin on this issue that has impacted many years of Honda Fits and has proven to be a defective unit. Service Bulletin 16-088. This repair should be covered as this defective part can cause severe damage to the engine costing the consumer thousands of dollars to repair. A simple search…
2018 Honda Fit powertrain problems
severe 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 4 powertrain complaints filed for the 2018 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 owners are reporting 2 most recent
The CVT transmission will disengage if left in drive and vehicle is shutoff. You can turn off vehicle while it is in drive and the vehicle will roll back and forth, as if it was in neutral. Forgot to put vehicle in park, pressed the push to start and vehicle shut off. 3 short beeps is the only warning, exited the vehicle and it rolled backward out the garage and into yard across the street. This…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2018 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 2018 Honda Fit?
It's a meaningful issue. 4 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 7,128 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 $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/2018/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.