2013 Honda FIT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
176 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
28,900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 83 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 92 of 176 complaints (52.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 8.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 7.4% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 92 |
| Electrical System | 18 |
| Engine | 14 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Power Train | 11 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 9 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
Air Bags: 92; Electrical System: 18; Engine: 14; Unknown Or Other: 12; Power Train: 11; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 9; Steering: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 37 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 23 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 37; 25,000 to 49,999: 23; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (37). 93 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 11 |
| 2016 | 78 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2012: 1; 2013: 5; 2014: 20; 2015: 11; 2016: 78; 2017: 13; 2018: 9; 2019: 12; 2020: 8; 2021: 5; 2022: 1; 2023: 5; 2024: 3; 2025: 2; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10504452 · 2013-03-25 (March 25, 2013)
I WAS ENTERING A PARKING PLACE AT APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, TRYING TO ADJUST THE ANGLE OF ENTRY. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR BOLTED FORWARD. I APPLIED THE BRAKE BUT THE ACCELERATION WAS TOO FAST TO KEEP THE BRAKE FROM STOPPING THE CAR FROM COLLIDING WITH THE GUARD RAIL. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO EJECT. THE HOOD WAS DENTED, THE RIGHT FENDER AND BUMPER WERE DISENGAGED FROM THE BODY AND THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WAS BROKEN. THE REPAIR CAME TO OVER $10,000. IF THE GUARD RAIL HADN'T STOPPED THE CAR IT WOULD HAVE GONE OVER FROM THE 6T…
Owner-reported narrative. 141 miles reported. Look up ODI 10504452 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10521166 · 2013-06-22 (June 22, 2013)
I WAS DOING A PARALLEL PARKING ON A QUIET CITY STREET. I WAS DOING 3 OR LESS MILES PER HOUR WHEN SUDDENLY MY BRAKES FAILED AND MY CAR CONTINUED TO GO! IT RAN INTO THE SIDEWALK AND SOME BUSHES. I WAS HORRIFIED NOT BEING IN CONTROL ANYMORE. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE WITH MY KEY. THE FRONT OF MY CAR HAS BEEN DAMAGED A LOT. IT IS AT A MECHANIC AND BODYWORK SHOP. I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO SUE THE MAKER OF MY CAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,373 miles reported. Look up ODI 10521166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10573184 · 2014-03-18 (March 18, 2014)
MY NEW 2013 HONDA FIT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. I BOUGHT A NEW 2013 HONDA FIT ON AUGUST 10, 2013. ON AUGUST 23RD THE CAR WOULD NOT START, NEEDING A JUMP START FROM A MECHANIC. I DROVE THE CAR TO DCH HONDA IN OXNARD. THE MILEAGE ON THE ODOMETER AT THE SERVICE CENTER WAS 491 MILES. THE CAR WAS TESTED AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND AND I DROVE THE CAR BACK HOME. THE SERVICE REPORT SAYS: 'CUSTOMER STATES IT HAD TO BE JUMPSTARTED, ADVISE. CND INSPECTED SYSTEM. UNABLE TO VERIFY CUSTOMERS CONCERN AT THIS TIME. BATTERY CHECKS OUT OKAY AT THIS TI…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10573184 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10579536 · 2014-04-14 (April 14, 2014)
BATTERY WAS REPLACED. CAR STRUGGLING TO START SO SAID ALTERNATOR MIGHT BE BAD. BATTERY LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEP TURNING ON. DEALERSHIP SAID I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE CAR FOR 100 HOURS TO GET IT CHECKED . *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10579536 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10610404 · 2014-07-17 (July 17, 2014)
2013 HONDA FIT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR CONDITIONER AND FRONT SEAT ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AC CYCLED DOWN WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 80 OR ABOVE, WHEN SHE HAS BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR AS LITTLE AS 30 MINUTES. THE AC WAS CYCLING OFF JUST WHEN SHE NEEDED IT MOST. THE FRONT SEATS WERE UNCOMFORTABLE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO ADD EXPENSIVE GEL CUSHION TO THE SEAT. IT HELPED, BUT IT PUSHED HER FORWARD MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO GET HER RIGHT KNEE PAST THE STEERING COLUMN AS SHE ENTERED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE SAT …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10610404 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10839590 · 2016-03-02 (March 2, 2016)
STEERING LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE WHEEL. STEERING LOCKS UP ALSO WHILE STANDING STILL. ELECTRICAL POWER SEEMS TO BE INTERRUPTED FOR A COUPLE SECONDS WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING. HEADLIGHTS DIM AND RADIO QUITS FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME. THE EVENT ELECTRICALLY SEEMS TO BE INTERRELATED. VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10839590 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10615582 · 2014-07-23 (July 23, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA FIT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE VERY SLOWLY BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10615582 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10680984 · 2015-02-03 (February 3, 2015)
ANY TIME AT LOW SPEED START OFF IF LEFT FOOT IS JUST TOUCHING BRAKE PEDAL CAR WILL STALL WITH NO RESPONSE IN THROTTLE POSITION CAR STOPS! UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS BACKED OFF WITH FOOT AND REAPPLIED DEALER SAID THIS HAPPENS AND TO DRIVE WITH ONLY ONE FOOT! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM NEED RECALL! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10680984 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10783144 · 2015-10-18 (October 18, 2015)
I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MY 78 YEAR OLD MOTHER. APPROX. THE BEGINNING OF JUNE, SHE SMELLED GAS WHEN SHE GOT IN THE CAR AND IT WAS NOT RUNNINGR. A FEW DAYS LATER, SHE COULD SMELL THE GAS OUTSIDE, WHEN IT WAS ALSO NOT RUNNING. SHE CALLED HONDA AND WENT FOR AN APPOINTMENT. THEY TOLD HER THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DAMAGED FROM "RODENTS EATING" IT AND IT WAS "LEAKING GAS". IT ALSO HAD A RODENT NEST ON IT. THAT REPAIR COST HER $699.52. ONE OF THE WORKERS AT THE HONDA DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THIS WAS A COMMON"PROBLEM DUE TO WHAT THE PLA…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,754 miles reported. Look up ODI 10783144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11163366 · 2018-12-25 (December 25, 2018)
SOY COATING IS A RODENT GOURMET BUFFET!! FIRST ISSUE WAS JUNE OF 2015, RODENTS HAD CHEWED THROUGH THE FUEL PUMP AND GASOLINE WAS LEAKING OUT. MY 80 YEAR OLD MOTHER SMELLED GASOLINE WHEN HER CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS A LARGE NEST FOUND AS WELL WHEN HONDA INSPECTED THE CAR. A FEW MONTHS LATER, OCTOBER 2015, NEST AND MICE DROPPINGS WERE FOUND IN POLLEN FILTER/GLOVE BOX AREA. SHE BROUGHT IT BACK AND UPON THE DEALER RECOMMENDATION, HONDA WRAPPED ALL OF THE FUEL/VAPOR/ELECTICAL WIRES IN RODENT TAPE (WHICH THEY HAPPILY SUPPLY). T…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,754 miles reported. Look up ODI 11163366 at NHTSA ↗