KnownCarProblems2008 Honda Fit Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 217 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Honda Fit, most often about the air bags (26% of complaints, typically around 80,500 miles). It is 4th of 13 Fit model years by number of complaints and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2008 Honda Fit problems
Air bags
57 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 80,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Fit. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 13v260000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure…
Takata inflator. The car was involved in a single-car, front end collision. The driver-side airbag deployed but did not inflate. Honda currently has a recall only for the passenger side and is not agreeing to repair/replace the defective driver side bag.
Body and structure
43 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Honda Fit. The contact stated that water was leaking on the rear floor board behind the front passenger seat. The contact did not know where the water was coming from. The contact had noticed numerous complaints regarding water leaking on the rear floor board. The dealer offered a trade in for…
While parked my 2008 Honda Fit has a water leak that can seem to be found. According to internet message boards this seems to be a problem plaguing many if not most 2007-2008 Fit owners. The water leaks and pools on the rear floors causing mold to grow with a strong smell of mildew. When I contacted Honda they told me…
Engine
27 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles.
The same recurring problem has been happening for about a year or so. In the morning when I start my car, especially worse in the winter, my car will stall out 2 to 3 times just while warming up. When the engine is warm and I start to drive it stalls out in the road at least 1 or 2 more times. I have had the Honda…
My 2008 manual Honda Fit sport is stalling whenever I push in the clutch and come to a stop. I have to restart the car around 5 or 6 times before the engine will stop stalling at every stop. The car starts fine, but once started (and if not given time to warm up), it will stall and shut down at every stop. The battery…
Transmission
24 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 105,500 miles. Parts named most often: axle assembly, manual transmission.
I own a 2008 Honda Fit with 105,000 miles on it. Upon attempting to accelerate from a stop sign going left, there was a bang and grinding from the engine area. Vehicle then began rolling backwards despite being in drive with the gas depressed. After a tow to a local dealer, it was diagnosed as a driver-side cv axle…
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Fit. The contact stated that while turning into a parking lot approaching a parking space without warning the vehicle accelerated forward. The contact slammed on the brake pedal, however the vehicle failed to stop. The contact depressed the brake pedal again and the vehicle came to a…
Brakes
21 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Honda Fit. While applying pressure to the brakes, the contact noticed that the vehicle would not decrease in speed, which caused her to hit another vehicle. The contact sustained bruises to the leg. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was awaiting the results of an inspection.…
On several occasions when applying the brakes in my 2008 Honda Fit, they failed to engage. I have been lucky enough to avoid accidents, but I'm quite concerned and have noticed other such concerns posted on the web.
Lights
19 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 107,000 miles.
Combination headlight switch was faulty. While low beams are on, toggling the right turn signal activates the high beam. I brought the car to the dealer and performed the headlight switch recall hoping it would get fixed but the recall only addressed the wiring harness. The problem persisted after the recall. I…
Takata recall : my 2008 Honda Fit was traveling at 15 MPH and went into a police k-9 unit 'elvis'. The air bag virulently exploded on my jaw and caused my teeth to bit my tongue. The policeman mistook the injury for a seizure and I lost my license indefinitely. I was take to the hospital against my will and given…
Electrical
18 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
Purchased this car as a certified used car in november 2010 from tarrytown Honda. Numerous incidents of stopping on the road with this car since june 2011 but this is the latest incident. Previous incident also reported on this website. Also filed complaint with american Honda in september 2011…
All front lamps have failed repeatedly, including low beam headlight. Headlamps have failed four times. Vehicle has been returned for service under safety recall notice, but lights continue to fail.
Speed control
14 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 39,500 miles.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Honda Fit. While driving 5 MPH and attempting to make a u-turn she shifted from drive to reverse as her foot was on the brake pedal; the vehicle lunged forward and crashed into a wall. There were no injuries. The front bumper was damaged. The police were not notified. The insurance company was…
Parking on a side street behind another car applying brake, and woosh! Car took off in what I've later learned was an "unintended acceleration," running into the car in front and smushing in the hood of my car. I thought I had let my foot slip or had skid on some ice, but later similar incidences made me wonder. This…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Honda Fit recalls
Transmission: driveshaft
Risk: A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle could also roll away if the parking brake has not been applied before the vehicle has been exited. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing either the left or right drive shaft, if necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk with an interim letter mailed february 2, 2021. A second letter will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are p9m, pav, bay, tax, ca0, and maz.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 acura ilx, 2013 acura ilx hybrid, 2012 honda civic hybrid, and 2007-2008 honda fit vehicles with a manual transmission and 2009-2013 honda fit vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, and wisconsin. The drive shafts' protective coating may not have been applied properly during manufacturing, making it more susceptible to damage from road salt, or other contaminants, and potentially cause it to break.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began august 12, 2019. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are e5d and x5c.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 acura mdx, 2005-2012 rl, 2003-2007 honda accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2003-2005 civic hybrid, 2001-2005 civic gx ngv, 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2007-2008 fit, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot, and 2006-2014 ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan march 2017. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are kd9 and ke0.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 acura mdx and honda cr-v vehicles, 2005-2011 honda element vehicles, 2005-2012 acura rl vehicles, 2006-2012 honda ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 honda fit vehicles and 2005-2008 honda pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, if not included in "zone a" above, honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 acura mdx and honda cr-v vehicles, 2005-2009 acura rl and honda element vehicles, 2007-2008 honda fit vehicles, 2005-2008 honda pilot vehicles and 2006-2009 honda ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, ke
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began june 27, 2016. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are ka0, ka1, ka2, and ka3.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 acura mdx, 2005-2011 acura rl, 2005-2006 honda cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2007-2008 fit, 2003-2008 pilot, 2002-2004 odyssey, and 2006-2011 ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above, honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 acura mdx, 2005-2008 acura rl, 2005-2006 honda cr-v, 2003-2008 element, 2007-2008 fit, 2003-2008 pilot, 2002-2004 odyssey, and 2006-2008 ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland
Visibility and wipers: power window devices and controls
Risk: An overheated switch can cause smoke, melting and fire.
Fix: Honda will notify owners in july 2013 and will instruct owners to take their vehicles to dealers to have a free inspection conducted. If the switch is damaged, it will be replaced free of charge. If the switch is not damaged, the owner will be instructed to await a second notification that will instruct them to return to the dealer to have a replacement switch installed free of charge. Honda anticipates it will have sufficient parts inventory to notify owners of vehicles with undamaged switches to return to dealers for replacement switches in fall 2013. Renotification was sent out to owners on
Full defect summary
Honda is re-recalling certain model year 2007-2008 fit vehicles covered under previous recall 10v-033. The remedy applied in this earlier recall may have been insufficient. In the affected vehicles, over time, the plastic cover may separate from the master power window switch allowing water to enter the driver's window and reach the master power window switch. If the master power window switch is damaged as a result of the water intrusion, overheating and failure of the switch may result.
Lights: high/low beam dimmer switch
Risk: The low beam headlights can become inoperative decreasing the driver's visibility as well as the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the low beam terminal and perform necessary repairs free of charge. The safety recall began on january 24, 2011. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
Honda is recalling model year 2007-2008 honda fit vehicles. Due to an error during installation of the wiring harness for the combination switch that controls low head beam function, the wires for the lower beam circuit were pulled tighter than intended. After repeated use of the headlight switch, the electrical connector terminal for the low beam headlight circuit can become worn as a result of this tension, which can result in low conductivity and cause an accumulation of copper oxide in the area of the contacts.
Visibility and wipers: power window devices and controls
Risk: An overheated switch can cause smoke, melting and fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the switch and install a cover around the switch housing to prevent water from entering the switch. If the switch is damaged, the switch will be replaced and a cover will be installed. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on during march 19, 2010. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
Honda is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 fit vehicles. Under severe condition, water may enter the driver's window and reach the master power window switch. If the master power window switch is damaged as a result of the water intrusion, overheating and failure of the switch may result.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: In the event of a crash, a deploying front passenger air bag or front passenger's side air bag will increase the risk of injury to small or out-of-position occupants.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the wire harness. The recall began on december 12, 2007. Owners may contact honda at 800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
On certain vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia , wisconsin and the district of columbia. The wire harness for the occupant detection system (ods) and the occupant position detection system (opds) is routed underneath the carpet on the driver's side floorboard. In areas where road salt is used, salt from the snow on the driver's shoes will melt and may penetrate the carpet and leak into the wire harness. If the harness is exposed to salt brine, corrosion may occur and the wire may break causing the SRS indicator light to illuminate. A failure of the ods and opds may not detect the presence of a child seat or an out-of-position passenge
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Low beam headlights
Summary
In their defect information report (dir) of december 15, 2010, american honda motor company, inc. (honda) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall of model year 2007 and 2008 honda fit vehicles to repair the headlights.the recall will remedy a defect in the low beam headlight circuit that can cause a total outage of the low beam headlights.honda's dir states: due to a variation in the assembly sequence when installing the wiring harness for the combination switch that controls the headlights, the wires for the low beam headlight circuit can be pulled tighter than the wiring for the other functions controlled by the combination switch.after repeated use of the headlight switch, the
Questions about the 2008 Honda Fit
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Honda Fit?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (57 complaints, typically around 80,500 miles); body and structure (43 complaints, typically around 57,000 miles); engine (27 complaints, typically around 93,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Honda Fit have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 10, 2020 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Honda Fit?
- It is 4th of 13 Fit model years by number of complaints, with 217 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.