The Lemon Index2008 Honda Fit.
The 2008 Honda Fit is better than average by owner complaints: 49 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 62, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 29 to 31 mpg combined. The best Honda Fit year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 217 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Honda Fit year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 33K to 102K miles on the car (150 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 31K–135K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 34K–93K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 77K–139K miles
Recalls 8
- transmission & drivetrain 2020
The drive shafts' protective coating may not have been applied properly during m.
- airbags 2019
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 …
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 8 recalls
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- visibility 2013
The remedy applied in this earlier recall may have been insufficient.
- lights 2010
HONDA IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HONDA FIT VEHICLES.
- visibility 2010
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 FIT VEHICLES.
- airbags 2007
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 …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 32 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- There is water leaking inside the cabin of some vehicles and is being investigated
- Dealer message - Today, September 23, 2014, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension…
- Engineering request for investigation
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLow beam headlights2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2050–2200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Anti-lock system activates inappropriately. Driving over rough pavement, bumps etc seems to activate anti-lock system. Brakes become squishy, and less effective during these incidences. This problem happens routinely.
2008 Honda Fit owner · NHTSA complaint 10324148
More owner reports
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.
NHTSA complaint 10328744
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Honda Fit reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 62; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Fit year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2008 Honda Fit problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (20%), body structure (18%) and airbags (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Honda Fit have?
8 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Honda Fit get?
29 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Honda Fit problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 33,400 and 102,800 miles. The middle report was at 73,600 miles, from 150 complaints.
Does the 2008 Honda Fit have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Honda Fit cost in fuel a year?
About $2050 to $2200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Honda Fit have?
1.5L 4-cyl.
What Honda Fit year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2011 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works