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Honda

2012 Honda FIT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Honda FIT has 130 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 160. The most common issue is air bags problems (32% of all complaints), specifically: no incident or accident. just a request concerning the takata airbag recalls. the takata airbags are being replaced with another potentially defective takata airbag. takata is uncertain as to the cause of the airbag explosions. they are still in the process of trying to understand the exact cause. There are 11 recalls issued for this model year.

8 crash reports 3 injuries

130

Total Complaints

11

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

41 complaints
32%
  • NO INCIDENT OR ACCIDENT. JUST A REQUEST CONCERNING THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALLS. THE TAKATA AIRBAGS ARE BEING REPLACED WITH ANOTHER POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIRBAG. TAKATA IS UNCERTAIN AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE AIRBAG EXPLOSIONS. THEY ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE EXACT CAUSE
  • 2012 HONDA FIT SDR HB SPORT WANTS TO KNOW DOES VEHICLE HAVE TAKATA AIR BAGS *CN
  • TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA FIT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFAC
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

NO INCIDENT OR ACCIDENT. JUST A REQUEST CONCERNING THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALLS. THE TAKATA AIRBAGS ARE BEING REPLACED WITH ANOTHER POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIRBAG. TAKATA IS UNCERTAIN AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE AIRBAG EXPLOSIONS. THEY ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE EXACT CAUSE

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Honda FIT

Based on 86 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 47K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
33
30-60K
24
60-100K
22
100-150K
4
150-200K
3
200K+
0

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 31K mi · 14 reports
0-30K
7
30-60K
3
60-100K
4
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 28K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
3
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 14K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
5
30-60K
3
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

AIR BAGS

Later than typicalmedian 52K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
3
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

Later than typicalmedian 30K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
3
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

TRANSMISSION

High-mileage issuemedian 89K mi · 14 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
1
60-100K
7
100-150K
2
150-200K
3
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (11)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE27/09/2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Honda FIT

Live EIA prices
Per year
$1,600
Per month
$133
Per mile
13.3¢
MPG
30
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$1,778/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,372/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Honda FIT

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,434
Full coverage / month
$120
Liability only / year
$595
vs US avg
-14%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (wagon)0.95x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating0.98x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1434

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Honda FIT Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
30K mi
Engine coolant
60K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
30K mi

Maintenance Minder shows exact intervals based on your driving. CVT-equipped models (Civic, HR-V, Accord Hybrid) need CVT fluid service, not conventional ATF.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Honda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Honda. If you're buying a used 2012 FIT, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Honda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 130 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: NO INCIDENT OR ACCIDENT. JUST A REQUEST CONCERNING THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALLS. THE TAKATA AIRBAGS ARE BEING REPLACED WITH ANOTHER POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIRBAG. TAKATA IS UNCERTAIN AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE AIRBAG EXPLOSIONS. THEY ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE EXACT CAUSE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • STEERING: 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. *TR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • TRANSMISSION: AT SUSTAINED HIGHWAYS SPEEDS OF 70-75MPH, WITH THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE ABOVE 87 DEG. F, VEHICLE WHEELS INTERMITTENTLY VEERED, TAKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE LANE RAPIDLY, AND WITHOUT ANY FEEDBACK ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS OCCURRED ON BOTH FRESHLY PAVED INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS AND OLDER PAVEMENT, WIT

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ENGINE: MY CAR ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR WHEN STARTING FROM A STANDSTILL WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVEN TIMES IN THE 1300 MILES I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR. THIS ABNORMAL CONDITION HAS LEFT ME MOMENTARILY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY INTERSECTIONS. I

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 11 recalls have been completed — free at any Honda dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
130
Recalls
11
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
8
Injury reports
3
Segment avg
160

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Honda FIT