Honda Fit Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 166 of the 1,833 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2020 Honda Fit (9.1%) name the transmission, near the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2015, 2009 and 2008.
Transmission complaints
166
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2020 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
9.1%
of 1,833 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Honda Fit transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008WORST | 24 | 11.1% | 2 | 20V770000 | 0 |
| 2009WORST | 33 | 11.5% | 2 | 20V770000 | 0 |
| 2010 | 16 | 8.7% | 1 | 20V770000 | 0 |
| 2011 | 12 | 10.6% | 1 | 20V770000 | 0 |
| 2012 | 14 | 12.4% | 0 | 20V770000 | 0 |
| 2013 | 12 | 6.8% | 1 | 20V77000014V258000 | 2 |
| 2015WORST | 38 | 13.4% | 1 | 15V574000 | 0 |
| 2016 | 7 | 5.7% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | 4 | 9.3% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | 4 | 3.4% | 1 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | 2 | 1.4% | 2 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 0 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- No row for 2014: NHTSA's complaints data returned no records for that year under this model's names.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Honda Fit transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 166 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Honda Fit years to avoid for the transmission
2015 Honda Fit
38 transmission complaints (13.4% of the year's 284). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recall 15V574000.
2009 Honda Fit
33 transmission complaints (11.5% of the year's 287). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recall 20V770000.
2008 Honda Fit
24 transmission complaints (11.1% of the year's 217). Most often described: hesitation or delayed engagement. Covered by transmission recall 20V770000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Honda Fit years to avoid.
Honda Fit transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Honda Fit model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 20V770000 · 2020-12-10 · 2008–2013 models
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.
- 15V574000 · 2015-09-15 · 2015 models
The software settings that control the transmission operation may result in damage to the transmission drive pulley shaft.
- 14V258000 · 2014-05-16 · 2013 models
The passenger side driveshaft may break while driving due to an improper heat treatment application during manufacturing.
Which transmission does the Honda Fit use?
- Honda CVT — 2015–2020
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2015 Honda Fit have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 38 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2015 Honda Fit, 13.4% of all 284 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (5 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 15V574000. 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2009 Honda Fit have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 33 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2009 Honda Fit, 11.5% of all 287 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (4 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 20V770000. 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2008 Honda Fit have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 24 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2008 Honda Fit, 11.1% of all 217 complaints for that year. The most common description is "hesitation or delayed engagement" (5 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 20V770000. 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Honda Fit years have the most transmission complaints?
2015 (38), 2009 (33) and 2008 (24), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Honda Fit transmission problems?
In the 166 transmission complaints, owners most often describe jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (13.3%), shudder or vibration (7.2%) and whining, grinding or humming noise (6%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Honda Fit model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration