2008 Honda Fit Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Honda Fit.

20072009
Complaints
280
Crashes
43
Fires
2
Injuries
42
Fatalities
Recalls
7

Worst 2008 Honda Fit Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#155 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:140,780 mi
Crash-related:14
#230 complaints

Body Structure

Avg mileage:113,786 mi
Crash-related:2
#323 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:95,499 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Honda Fit.

Airbags
55
complaints
Crashes
14
Fires
Avg Miles
140,780
Body Structure
30
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
113,786
Engine Problems
23
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
95,499
Transmission / Drivetrain
21
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
102,545
Electrical Faults
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
73,347
Headlight/Taillight Failures
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
95,779
Unintended Acceleration
14
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
52,969
Hydraulic Brakes
13
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
25,348
Structural Problems
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
51,089
Steering Defects
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
75,850
Brakes
8
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
67,568
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
72,952
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Interior Lighting
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Manual Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Honda Fit. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2008 Honda Fit

7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,433,054 vehicles.

20V770000Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
~248,358 affected

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Acura ILX, 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, and 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles with a manual transmission and 2009-2013 Honda Fit vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The drive shafts' protective coating may not have been applied properly during manufacturing, making it more susceptible to damage from road salt, or other contaminants, and potentially cause it to break.

19V501000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~1,657,752 affected

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. 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 absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

17V029000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~308,884 affected

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2009 Acura RL and Honda Element vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles and 2006-2009 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, 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, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2008 Acura RL, Honda Element and Honda Pilot vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2006-2008 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered 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 inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

16V344000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~1,790,894 affected

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, 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, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, 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 inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

13V260000Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
~143,083 affected

Honda is re-recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Fit vehicles covered under previous recall 10V-033. The remedy applied in this earlier recall may have been insufficient. In the affected vehicles, over time, the plastic cover may separate from the master power window switch allowing water to enter the driver's window and reach the master power window switch. If the master power window switch is damaged as a result of the water intrusion, overheating and failure of the switch may result.

10V624000Exterior Lighting:headlights:high/low Beam Dimmer Switch
~143,083 affected

HONDA IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HONDA FIT VEHICLES. DUE TO AN ERROR DURING INSTALLATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE COMBINATION SWITCH THAT CONTROLS LOW HEAD BEAM FUNCTION, THE WIRES FOR THE LOWER BEAM CIRCUIT WERE PULLED TIGHTER THAN INTENDED. AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TERMINAL FOR THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAN BECOME WORN AS A RESULT OF THIS TENSION, WHICH CAN RESULT IN LOW CONDUCTIVITY AND CAUSE AN ACCUMULATION OF COPPER OXIDE IN THE AREA OF THE CONTACTS.

10V033000Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
~141,000 affected

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 FIT VEHICLES. UNDER SEVERE CONDITION, WATER MAY ENTER THE DRIVER'S WINDOW AND REACH THE MASTER POWER WINDOW SWITCH. IF THE MASTER POWER WINDOW SWITCH IS DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE WATER INTRUSION, OVERHEATING AND FAILURE OF THE SWITCH MAY RESULT.

Other Honda Fit Years

2008 Honda Fit — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2008 Honda Fit reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2008 Honda Fit has 280 NHTSA complaints, 43 crash-related, and 7 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 55 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2008 Honda Fit?
Top reported problems: Airbags (55 complaints, avg 140,780 mi); Body Structure (30 complaints, avg 113,786 mi); Engine Problems (23 complaints, avg 95,499 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Honda Fit?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 96,194 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2008 Honda Fit?
NHTSA complaints for the 2008 Honda Fit include 43 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 42 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2008 Honda Fit have any recalls?
Yes — 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,433,054 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2008 Honda Fit?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Honda Fit reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2008 Honda Fit

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