VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Honda Fit2007–2020
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Honda Fit
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Honda Fit Years to Avoid
10 recalls · 232 complaints
24 reported injuries
Top issue: STEERING
8 recalls · 176 complaints
11 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
0 recalls · 189 complaints
10 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 2 past investigations into the Fit became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Honda Fit — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 35 | 1 | — | 100 | 95 | 98 | Good |
| 2019 | 2 | 98 | 1 | — | 94 | 91 | 93 | Good |
| 2018 | 1 | 95 | 7 | — | 93 | 85 | 90 | Caution |
| 2017 | 0 | 39 | — | — | 100 | 78 | 92 | Good |
| 2016 | 0 | 85 | 2 | — | 97 | 71 | 88 | Good |
| 2015 | 0 | 189 | 10 | — | 79 | 64 | 74 | Avoid |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 100 | 58 | 85 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 8 | 98 | 6 | — | 89 | 53 | 76 | Caution |
| 2012 | 8 | 63 | — | — | 98 | 49 | 81 | Good |
| 2011 | 9 | 75 | 3 | — | 94 | 46 | 77 | Good |
| 2010 | 8 | 115 | 24 | — | 79 | 46 | 67 | Caution |
| 2009 | 8 | 176 | 11 | — | 79 | 46 | 67 | Avoid |
| 2008 | 8 | 141 | 17 | — | 79 | 46 | 67 | Caution |
| 2007 | 10 | 232 | 24 | — | 79 | 46 | 67 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Honda Fit Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Fit compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2020 (Buyer Score 98).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 92).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Fit to buy?+
The 2020 Honda Fit scores highest on our Buyer Score (98/100) — combining a reliability score of 100/100 with a value score of 95/100. It has 0 recalls and 35 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Fit years have the most problems?+
The 2007, 2009, 2015 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2007 Fit leads with 10 recalls and 232 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Fit problems?+
The most frequently reported Honda Fit issues involve: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, POWER TRAIN. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.