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2015 Honda Fit: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 285 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Honda Fit[1], and the car has 4 recalls[2]. Two of those recalls involve a transmission part that could break or an engine that could stall, so a used buyer should confirm the repairs were done[3][4].
Most reported problems
Of the 285 complaints on file[1], 12 mention a crash[1], 1 a fire[1] and 15 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the car. Counts are also not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The biggest groups by number of complaints:
- Electrical system, 118 complaints[7]. Median mileage at failure is 50,000, with no crashes, fires or injuries. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 3 describe rodents chewing the wiring, 4 describe starter, no-start or stalling trouble, and 2 describe the dashboard display going blank in cold weather[7].
- Engine, 41 complaints[8]. Median mileage is 50,000, with no crashes, fires or injuries. In a sample of 12, 3 describe the plastic engine splash guard coming loose, 2 describe a rattle on cold start, and 2 describe fuel injectors being replaced[8].
- Fuel/propulsion system, 41 complaints[9]. This group has 2 crashes and 2 injuries, and the median mileage is 48,000. In a sample of 12, 6 describe fuel injector replacement after a check engine light, 2 describe sudden unintended acceleration and 2 describe stalling[9].
- Unknown or other, 39 complaints[10]. Median mileage is 23,000, and this group includes the 1 fire mention[10].
- Power train, 38 complaints[11]. Median mileage is 77,000. In a sample of 12, 5 describe a sudden loss of acceleration or a failed transmission, and 6 refer to the transmission recall described below[11].
- Structure, 21 complaints[12]. This group has 1 crash and 3 injuries[12].
- Air bags, 15 complaints[13]. This is a small group, but it has 10 crashes and 12 injuries, the most of any group[13].
- Seat belts, 12 complaints[14]. One crash is mentioned[14].
The sample reading is only a small slice of the complaints, so treat these themes as hints, not as a measure of how common each problem is.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this model year, newest first[2].
- Rear grab handle brackets (15V697). Dated 2015-10-23[15], covering 25,367 units[15]. On certain LX-trim cars without a sunroof, the brackets were not made properly and may puncture the side curtain air bags when they deploy. That could raise the risk of injury in a crash. Dealers replace the bracket free of charge[15].
- Transmission software (15V574). Dated 2015-09-15[3], covering 143,676 units[3] across certain 2014-2015 Civic and 2015 Fit cars. The software that controls the transmission can damage the drive pulley shaft. If the shaft breaks, the car may lose acceleration or the front wheels may lock up, which raises crash risk. Dealers update the transmission software free of charge[3].
- Ignition coils (15V559). Dated 2015-09-03[4], covering 17,796 units[4]. Wires inside the plug top ignition coils can be damaged by electrical noise. A coil may then overheat and stall the engine, which raises crash risk. Dealers replace the coils with a new design free of charge[4].
- A-pillar cover (14V563). Dated 2014-07-30[16], covering 6,292 units[16]. Some cars were built with an A-pillar interior cover meant for cars without side curtain air bags. That can hurt how the air bags perform and raise injury risk. Dealers inspect the cover and install the correct one as necessary, free of charge[16].
Not every Fit is covered by every recall. The build dates in each recall limit which cars are included[15][3][4][16].
Fuel economy
The EPA lists three versions of the 1.5L 4-cylinder front-wheel-drive Fit, all on regular fuel[17][18][5]. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Safety ratings
In NHTSA 5-Star testing of the 5 HB FWD version, the Fit earned 5 stars overall[6], 5 stars for frontal crashes[6] and 5 stars for side crashes[6]. It earned 4 stars for rollover[6], with a rollover risk of 14.7%[6].
Engine and size
The EPA lists the 2015 Fit with a 1.5L 4-cylinder engine rated at 128 to 130 hp, depending on version[19]. The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.
| Measure | DX/LX hatch | EX/EX-L Navi hatch |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 160 in | 160 in |
| Width | 67 in | 67 in |
| Height | 58 in | 58 in |
| Wheelbase | 100 in | 100 in |
| Curb weight | 2,493 lb | 2,579 lb |
How 2015 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 |
| 2014 | 0 | 3 |
| 2015 | 285 | 4 |
| 2016 | 121 | 1 |
| 2017 | 43 | 0 |
| 2018 | 117 | 4 |
| 2019 | 136 | 6 |
| 2020 | 36 | 4 |
With 285 complaints, 2015 has the third most of the 14 Fit model years NHTSA lists, behind 2007 with 370 and 2009 with 287[2]. Years such as 2011 and 2012 (113 each) and 2020 (36) have far fewer[2]. The 2014 model year shows 0 complaints and 3 recalls[2].
For recalls, 2015 has 4[2]. That is fewer than 2007 through 2013, which have 8 to 12 each[2], and fewer than 2019 with 6[2]. It is more than 2016 with 1 and 2017 with 0, and the same as 2018 and 2020 with 4 each[2].
Should you buy a used 2015 Fit?
The 2015 Fit earns top marks in NHTSA frontal and side crash tests and returns up to 36 MPG combined[6][5]. Its complaint count of 285 is high compared with most other Fit years, though counts are not adjusted for sales[2]. Before buying, ask for proof that the transmission software update, the ignition coil replacement and the air bag related repairs were done, because those recalls involve loss of acceleration, stalling and air bag performance[15][3][4][16]. Owners in the complaint samples also describe fuel injector replacements and wiring damage, so a pre-purchase inspection is a sensible step[8][9][7].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Honda Fit?
- The electrical system has the most complaints at 118, followed by the engine and fuel/propulsion system at 41 each[7][8][9]. In the samples we read, owners describe wiring damage, starter trouble, loose splash guards and fuel injector replacements.
- Does the 2015 Honda Fit have recalls?
- Yes, 4 recalls: 15V697 for grab handle brackets, 15V574 for transmission software, 15V559 for ignition coils and 14V563 for an A-pillar cover[15][3][4][16].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2015 Honda Fit?
- The EPA rates it at 34 MPG combined for the Automatic (AV-S7), 32 for the manual 6-spd and 36 for the automatic with variable gear ratios[17][18][5].
- How safe is the 2015 Honda Fit?
- NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall, 5 for frontal and side crashes and 4 for rollover[6].
- Is the 2015 Honda Fit a bad year?
- It has the third highest complaint count of the listed Fit years, at 285[2]. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so check recall repairs and inspect the car.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 285 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Honda Fit (12 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 15 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Fit model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V574, filed September 15, 2015: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm / Pcm / Tecm). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V559, filed September 3, 2015: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Fit, 1.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 33 city / 40 highway / 36 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 118 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 41 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 41 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 39 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 23,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 38 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,750). NHTSA vehicle records
- 15 complaints name the air bags component group (10 crashes, 0 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,523). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the seat belts component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 20). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 15V697, filed October 23, 2015: Structure. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V563, filed July 30, 2014: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Fit, 1.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 32 city / 37 highway / 34 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Fit, 1.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 36 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2015 Honda Fit with 1.5L 4-cylinder: rated 128 to 130 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FIT 4DR HATCH FWD DX/LX: length 160 in, width 67 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 100 in, curb weight 2,493 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FIT 4DR HATCH FWD EX/EX-L NAVI: length 160 in, width 67 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 100 in, curb weight 2,579 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov