CarBrief

The 2013 Honda Fit has 176 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, and air bags are the biggest group[1][2]. Seven of its recalls involve air bags, so check the VIN before you buy[3][4][5][6][7][8][9].

176owner complaints[1]
10recalls[10]
29–31MPG combined (EPA)[11]
4★NHTSA overall rating[12]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 176 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Honda Fit[1]. Fourteen mention a crash, 4 mention a fire and 16 mention injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

The biggest group by count is air bags, with 92 complaints[2]. The median mileage at failure for those is 18,100[2]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read, 10 are about the air bag inflator recalls, with owners describing worry about the recall or delays in getting repair parts[2]. One sample complaint says the air bags did not deploy in a rear-end crash[2].

The next groups are:

Smaller groups include structure with 9 complaints[16], electronic stability control with 9[17] and speed control with 8[18]. Twelve more are filed under unknown or other[19]. With counts this small, we do not treat these as common problems.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2013 Fit[10]. Newest first:

Recalls apply to certain vehicles. Which cars are covered depends on build date, trim or state, as the notices say.

Fuel economy

EPA lists three gasoline versions of the Fit with a 1.5L 4-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive:

Transmission City / Highway / Combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Manual 5-spd[23] 27 / 33 / 29 $2,300
Automatic 5-spd[11] 28 / 35 / 31 $2,150
Automatic (S5)[24] 27 / 33 / 30 $2,250

The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

The Fit EV is rated 118 MPGe combined (132 city, 105 highway) with 82 miles of range[25].

Safety ratings

NHTSA rates the 2013 Fit (5 HB FWD) 4 stars overall, with 4 stars each for frontal, side and rollover[12]. The rollover risk is 12.4%[12]. A second 5 HB FWD listing from NHTSA shows as not rated[26].

Engine and size

EPA lists the Fit with the 1.5L 4-cylinder at 117 hp[27]. The Fit with an electric motor is listed at 123 hp[28].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. They are for the 4-door hatch FWD DX/LX/Sport[29].

Measure Value
Length[29] 162 in
Width[29] 67 in
Height[29] 60 in
Wheelbase[29] 98 in
Curb weight[29] 2,564 lb

How 2013 compares with other years

2007: 370 complaints, 11 recalls20072008: 217 complaints, 8 recalls20082009: 287 complaints, 11 recalls20092010: 184 complaints, 12 recalls20102011: 113 complaints, 11 recalls20112012: 113 complaints, 11 recalls20122013: 176 complaints, 10 recalls17620132015: 285 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 121 complaints, 1 recalls20162017: 43 complaints, 0 recalls20172018: 117 complaints, 4 recalls20182019: 136 complaints, 6 recalls20192020: 36 complaints, 4 recalls2020
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Fit model year. The 2013 is highlighted[10].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200737011
20082178
200928711
201018412
201111311
201211311
201317610
20152854
20161211
2017430
20181174
20191366
2020364

NHTSA has 176 complaints and 10 recalls on file for the 2013 Fit[10]. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so read them loosely.

Should you buy a used 2013 Fit?

The record shows 10 recalls, seven of them involving air bags, and for those dealers inspect or replace parts free of charge[10][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Optional: keep it, or write 'Recall coverage depends on build date, trim or state, so ask which recalls apply to the car.' The driveshaft recall 20V770 has no remedy yet, so ask whether the car is covered[20]. Owner complaints about broken axles or drive shafts show up in the power train sample, though the group is small at 12 complaints[15]. Fuel economy of 29 to 31 MPG combined and a 4-star overall NHTSA rating are the other facts to weigh[23][11][24][12].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Honda Fit?
Air bags have the most NHTSA complaints at 92 of 176[1][2]. Electrical system (22), engine (15) and power train (12) follow[13][14][15].
Does the 2013 Honda Fit have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10[10], and seven involve air bags[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. One driveshaft recall, 20V770, has no remedy yet[10][20].
What is the gas mileage of a 2013 Honda Fit?
EPA rates the gasoline Fit at 29, 30 or 31 MPG combined, depending on the transmission listed[23][24][11]. The Fit EV is rated 118 MPGe[25].
How safe is the 2013 Honda Fit?
NHTSA gives the 5 HB FWD 4 stars overall[12].
Is the 2013 Honda Fit a reliable car?
Our data covers complaints and recalls only. NHTSA has 176 complaints and 10 recalls on file[1][10].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 176 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Honda Fit (14 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 16 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 92 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 1 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,100). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 19V502, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 19V500, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 19V378, filed May 16, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 18V661, filed September 27, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 18V268, filed April 26, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  8. Recall 18V042, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  9. Recall 16V061, filed February 3, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  10. Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Fit model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 22 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 15 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 12 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 9 complaints name the structure component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 12,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. 9 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,275). NHTSA vehicle records
  18. 8 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  19. 12 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  20. Recall 20V770, filed December 10, 2020: Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft. NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 14V258, filed May 16, 2014: Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft. NHTSA recall database
  22. Recall 13V157, filed April 24, 2013: Electronic Stability Control (Esc). NHTSA recall database
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. EPA rating for Fit EV, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 118 MPGe combined, 82 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  26. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  27. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Honda Fit with 1.5L 4-cylinder: rated 117 hp. www.epa.gov
  28. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Honda Fit with electric motor: rated 123 hp. www.epa.gov
  29. 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 2,564 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.