NHTSA has 113 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Honda Fit[1]. The biggest group names the air bags, with 41 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car. Here are the groups, biggest first.
- Air Bags. 41 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe long waits for repair parts, worry about driving the car meanwhile, and trouble getting a loaner.
- Steering. 16 complaints[6]. Owners describe the car drifting at highway speed, a wheel that turned stiff, and times when the car stopped answering the wheel.
- Power Train. 14 complaints[7]. Owners describe the car lurching, axles breaking, and the car suddenly refusing to move at an intersection.
- Engine. 13 complaints[8]. Owners describe the car not responding to the gas pedal, stalling, and spark plug trouble.
- Electrical System. 9 complaints[9]. This is a smaller group, so we say little about it.
- Speed Control. 8 complaints[10]. Another small group.
- Unknown Or Other. 5 complaints[11].
- Seat Belts. 3 complaints[12].
These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name more than one part.
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Fit is necessarily included.
- Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft (20V770), December 2020. About 248,358 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, reduced braking, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V502), June 2019. About 9,555 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (19V500), June 2019. About 1,558 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V378), May 2019. About 19,138 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, stalling, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V661), September 2018. About 1,355,406 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[17]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V268), April 2018. About 1,335 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, stalling, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[18]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V042), January 2018. About 691,726 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[19]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V545), August 2017. About 3,257 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, stalling, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[20]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V030), January 2017. About 977,708 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[21]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (16V061), February 2016. About 2,232,187 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[22]
- Electronic Stability Control (Esc) (13V157), April 2013. About 91,920 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[23]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fit, 1.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[24] | 27 / 33 / 29 | $2,300 |
| Fit, 1.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 28 / 35 / 31 | $2,150 |
| Fit, 1.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[25] | 27 / 33 / 30 | $2,250 |
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 HB FWD[5] | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 12.4% |
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2012 Honda Fit with 1.5L 4-cylinder[26] | 117 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIT 4DR HATCH FWD DX/LX/SPORT[27] | 162 in | 67 in | 60 in | 98 in | 2,471 lb |
How 2012 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 370 | 11 |
| 2008 | 217 | 8 |
| 2009 | 287 | 11 |
| 2010 | 184 | 12 |
| 2011 | 113 | 11 |
| 2012 | 113 | 11 |
| 2013 | 176 | 10 |
| 2015 | 285 | 4 |
| 2016 | 121 | 1 |
| 2017 | 43 | 0 |
| 2018 | 117 | 4 |
| 2019 | 136 | 6 |
| 2020 | 36 | 4 |
NHTSA's counts for the Fit show 113 complaints and 11 recalls for 2012[3]. Among the 14 model years listed, 3 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 9 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2014 (0) and the most are for 2007 (370)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2012 Fit?
The 2012 Fit has 113 complaints on file[1]. Air bags lead the list with 41[2], and steering follows with 16[6]. Power train and engine groups are smaller, with 14[7] and 13[8]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so they are best used to compare years of the same model. Check the Recalls section above before you buy or while you own one.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda Fit?
- Air bags have the most complaints, 41 in all[2]. Steering is next with 16[6].
- Does the 2012 Honda Fit have recalls?
- Yes. The page counts 11 recalls for this year[3]. See the Recalls section for the full list.
- How many complaints does the 2012 Honda Fit have?
- NHTSA has 113 owner complaints on file[1]. They are unverified and not adjusted for sales.
- Is the 2012 Honda Fit reliable?
- Complaints cover air bags, steering, power train and engine[2][6][7][8]. Read the groups above and the recalls section, then decide.
- What is the best year for the Honda Fit, and what is its gas mileage?
- See the year comparison and fuel economy sections on this page. They are built from the data and we do not summarize them here.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Honda Fit
Compare all model years of the Honda Fit
Other Honda models from 2012
Similar cars from 2012: station wagons
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 113 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Honda Fit (6 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 41 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Fit model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Fit, 1.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 35 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 12.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,542). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,450). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 14,225). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 20V770, filed December 10, 2020: Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V502, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V500, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V378, filed May 16, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V661, filed September 27, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V268, filed April 26, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V042, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V545, filed August 31, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V030, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V061, filed February 3, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V157, filed April 24, 2013: Electronic Stability Control (Esc). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Fit, 1.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 33 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Fit, 1.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 33 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Honda Fit with 1.5L 4-cylinder: rated 117 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FIT 4DR HATCH FWD DX/LX/SPORT: length 162 in, width 67 in, height 60 in, wheelbase 98 in, curb weight 2,471 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov