The Lemon Index2012 Honda Fit.
The 2012 Honda Fit is better than average by owner complaints: 31 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 52, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 11 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 113 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Honda Fit year. 2012 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 15K to 79K miles on the car (71 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 11
- transmission & drivetrain 2020
The drive shafts' protective coating may not have been applied properly during m.
- airbags 2019
These vehicles are equipped with driver 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 a…
- 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 …
Show all 11 recalls
- airbags 2019
The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2018
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2017
One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- stability control 2013
In April 2013, Honda recalled 43,782 2012-2013 Honda Fit Sport vehicles.
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 44 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- On some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (ast) module capable of testing
- Techline summary article - if you run across a spark plug thats loose or has blown out of the…
- Service bulletin - The MIL comes on and DTC P0455 (EVAP system large leak) and/or DTC P0456…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Fit 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2050–2200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
The traction control is not functioning properly. The vehicle is not able to climb an incline, while road is mildly covered in snow. Driver has to dangerously turn around or stop and call for assistance.
2012 Honda Fit owner · NHTSA complaint 10563186
More owner reports
Unintential drifting at highway seeds from 58 to 70 mph. By the time you get to 70 the vehicle is almost uncontrolable. Can not keep the vehicle center laned. I am not the olny one having this problem.
NHTSA complaint 10498211
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Honda Fit reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 52; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Fit year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2012 Honda Fit problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (23%), speed control (19%) and electrical (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Honda Fit have?
11 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 2012 Honda Fit get?
29 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Honda Fit safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Honda Fit problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 15,000 and 79,000 miles. The middle report was at 49,100 miles, from 71 complaints.
Does the 2012 Honda Fit have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 Honda Fit cost in fuel a year?
About $2050 to $2200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Honda Fit have?
1.5L 4-cyl.
What Honda Fit year is better than the 2012?
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