Severe Issues

2012 HONDA FIT Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Honda Fit. This model year has 113 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.

113
Complaints
6
Crashes
β€”
Fires
3
Injuries
β€”
Deaths
11
Recalls

Before you buy β€” check the actual VIN

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2012 Honda Fit Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1
41
complaints

Airbag Malfunctions

Crash-related:2
Injuries:2
#2
16
complaints

Steering Defects

Crash-related:3
#3
14
complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Considering a 2012 Honda Fit?

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Honda Fit. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Airbag Malfunctions412β€”β€”
Steering Defects163β€”β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain14β€”β€”β€”
Engine Problems131β€”β€”
Electrical Faults91β€”β€”
Unintended Acceleration81β€”β€”
Uncategorized Issues5β€”β€”β€”
Fuel System3β€”β€”β€”
Suspension Failures3β€”β€”β€”
Seat Belt Issues3β€”β€”β€”
Gasoline2β€”β€”β€”
Tire Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Brake System21β€”β€”
Structural Problems2β€”β€”β€”
Seat-Related Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)2β€”β€”β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System1β€”β€”β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures1β€”β€”β€”
Wheel Issues1β€”β€”β€”
Traction Control System1β€”β€”β€”
Visibility/Wiper1β€”β€”β€”
Other1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Honda Fit. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

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Showing 113 most recent complaints

Transmission / DrivetrainMar 12, 2026

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Fit. The contact stated that while making a turn from a complete stop at the exit of a gas station, the vehicle became immovable, and there was an abnormally high-pitched grinding sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed …

Steering DefectsJun 4, 2024

The electronic steering power assist failed several times in the past two weeks. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The safety of occupants was put at risk because of the difficulty of steering safely in traffic. The car has not yet been taken to my dealer for …

Steering DefectsJan 22, 2024

While driving my regular commute to work with the radio on, the radio and interior lights (not sure if headlights because I can't see them) flashed on and off and the power steering warning light flashed on and off. At that time, the car jerked and I lost power steering for a mom…

Engine ProblemsJun 27, 2023

Three instances of engine misfiring, causing the car to immediately go into a speed limiting mode during driving. This is a major safety hazard and can happen in the middle of high speed driving. The first instance was a 52K miles, second at 69K miles, and third at 130K miles. Th…

Fuel SystemNov 4, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Fit. The contact stated he noticed a strong odor of gasoline inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the mechanic stated that spark plug #3 was loosened. The ignition wire was replaced, and the spark plug was tighten…

Engine ProblemsMay 13, 2022

Driving down the highway the spark plug was blown out of the engine head and the car lost power immediately. The car has approximately 12,000 miles and all OEM parts from the manufacture. Maintenance was kept up on the car. This is extremely dangerous since this highway is usu…

Tire IssuesJul 12, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Fit equipped with Continental General Tires, Tire Line: Altimax RT43, Tire Size: 195/50/R16, DOT number: 6539wby54618. The contact stated that the driver’s side front tire had started to show signs of bubbling on the sidewall of the tire. The contac…

Engine ProblemsFeb 17, 2021

SPARK PLUGS NUMBER 1 & 2 CAME LOOSE AND CAUSE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY LOOSE POWER ON HIGHWAY. THE LOOSE SPARKPLUGS DAMAGED THE IGNITION COILS AND THE CAR WOULD ONLY RUN AT ABOUT 15 MPH WHICH WAS DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN INSPECTED THE NUMBER 3 & 4 PLUGS WERE STILL TIGHT. SPARKPL…

Transmission / DrivetrainJan 16, 2021

I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, WHEN I STARTED MAKING THE LEFT TURN I FELT AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BUT I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PUT VEHICLE IN PARK BUT IT WOULD STILL ROLL, I THEN APPLIED THE EMERGENC…

Steering DefectsJan 9, 2021

OUR WELL-MAINTAINED HONDA FIT HAS DEVELOPED AN ISSUE WHERE THE EPS STEERING LIGHT COMES ON SPORADICALLY DURING DRIVING. IN EACH OF THESE EVENTS, THE STEERING ASSIST SOMETIMES CUTS OUT FOR A SECOND OR TWO CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO MANUALLY CONTROL THE STEERING. IN ALL EVENT INSTANCES…

Transmission / DrivetrainDec 16, 2020

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.

Transmission / DrivetrainNov 14, 2020

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 …

Engine ProblemsSep 27, 2020

#2 SPARK PLUG EJECTED AT 90K MILES. IN MOTION. ROUGH IDLE RESULTED AND LOW RPM'S. TOWED FOR REPAIR. READ ONLINE OF MANY OTHERS WITH SAME SITUATION.

Suspension FailuresSep 21, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY THE FRONT AXLE FRACTURED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING AND CLICKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE F…

Suspension FailuresAug 3, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AXLE WAS FRACTURED DUE TO WATER SETTLING INSIDE OF THE RUBBER DAMPER CAUSING SEVERE RUST AND THE PART TO FAIL. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUM…

Transmission / DrivetrainApr 4, 2020

THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000 < MILES. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THAT LED TO A HIGHWAY. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE.I HAD THE CAR BROUGHT TO A HONDA DEALERSHIP. UPON THEIR INS…

Steering DefectsJan 29, 2020

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING LIGHT TURNED ON INTERMITTENTLY. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP OR BE REALLY HARD TO STEER. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENS AT LOWER SPEED OR WHEN IDLE. THIS CAN OCCUR MID STEER AT TIMES AS WELL.

Transmission / DrivetrainDec 26, 2019

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.

Steering DefectsDec 25, 2019

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 ON…

Transmission / DrivetrainDec 3, 2019

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 STARTE…

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Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2012 Honda Fit.

Recalls for 2012 Honda Fit

11 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2012 Honda Fit. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

18V661000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V268000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V500000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V502000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V378000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

17V545000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V042000Sep 1, 2018
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

17V030000Oct 1, 2017
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

16V061000Mar 2, 2016
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

13V157000Invalid Date
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

20V770000Oct 12, 2020
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

2012 Honda Fit β€” FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2012 Honda Fit reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2012 Honda Fit has 113 NHTSA owner complaints, 6 crash-related, and 11 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Airbag Malfunctions (41 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda Fit?β–Ύ

#1: Airbag Malfunctions (41 complaints). #2: Steering Defects (16 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (14 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Honda Fit?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2012 Honda Fit?β–Ύ

The 2012 Honda Fit has 6 crash-related complaints and 0 fire reports out of 113 total NHTSA complaints. 3 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2012 Honda Fit have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes β€” 11 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2012 Honda Fit. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

Should I buy a 2012 Honda Fit?β–Ύ

The 2012 Honda Fit has severe issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Airbag Malfunctions issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Honda Fit reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Check Your Specific 2012 Honda Fit

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.