Kane Dan
The Honda Fit is a good car, with more than 5 million units sold since 2013.
Also known as the Honda Jazz, the Honda Fit is currently in its 4th generation, being produced since 2001, and is small in size.
Despite these milestones, not every Honda Fit is made the same. In that regard, some models are better than others.
Because of this reason, I will be talking about the best and worst years for Honda Fit.
I have taken the liberty to research and list out the models for the lineup and have written them below:
Worst Years for Honda Fit:
- 2015
- 2007
- 2009
- 2010
- 2016
Best Years for Honda Fit
- 2014
- 2017
- 2019
- 2018
- 2020
Along with all these models, I will also discuss relevant information related to the Honda Fit.
This information is crucial if you are in the market for the Honda Fit. This is why you should read this article till the end.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What Are The Worst Years For The Honda Fit? Which Years To Avoid
The middle batch of the Honda Fit struggled compared to the rest of the lineup.
Here, I will talk about the bad models of the Honda Fit, specifically why they are so problematic and why I have ranked them the way I have in this list.
1. 2015 Honda Fit
If there is one model for the Honda Fit that you should avoid at all costs, then that would be the 2015 Honda Fit.
This model is the worst year for the lineup because of all its complaints. This was due to the massive amount of problems the year brought.
Among the issues this model faced, electrical problems were at the top of the list. Swiftly following these issues were the engine issues and the interior problems.
Most models of the 2015 Honda Fit suffered from starter failure. The car simply would not start and had a bad case of the battery dying.
These electrical issues were extremely problematic and caused a lot of issues for owners. The check engine light would turn on randomly on the engine side of things.
Overall the engine was too loud and prone to timing belt failure. The final nail in the coffin for the model was its very uncomfortable seats, which was the model’s downfall.
2. 2007 Honda Fit
While not as bad as the 2015 model, the 2007 Honda Fit was still far from perfect, with various issues dragging its reputation through the mud and landing it the second spot on this list.
The biggest issues people had against this year’s Honda Fit were the engine and steering problems. Additionally, this Honda Fit had a lot of transmission problems as well.
Moreover, the engine had a bad habit of running roughly. It would squeak when idle and stall when it was cold.
This, paired with check engine lights, makes it a very bad experience to endure.
The power steering would also fail constantly, and the transmission was difficult to shift, doing so very roughly.
3. 2009 Honda Fit
Moving two years into the future, the Honda Fit was still not doing as well as it should have.
It had just released the 2009 Honda Fit, which would be another bad year for the lineup.
This was mostly because of the engine troubles the car gave along with issues with the body of the car.
All of these struggles made the number of complaints against this model line up to the point where I just had to give it 3rd place on this list.
The clear coat of the 2009 Honda Fit would simply wear off. This, along with the paint fading, made the car very unappealing to drive and an annoyance to fix.
When it came to the engine, the spark plug would blow out the cylinder head.
4. 2010 Honda Fit
One year after 2010, Honda would put out the 2010 Honda Fit. This car was able to fix a few of the problems in the previous model, but it still suffered from a lot of them.
Issues like the defective clear coat were still present, hurting the brand’s reputation. This resulted in this model getting 4th palace on this list.
As mentioned above, the clear coat was still defective. The paint would chip extremely easily and ruin the car’s appearance, making it very difficult to drive and show off.
While some people forget about appearance, they cannot do so with a faulty AC, which would stop working randomly.
Adding to the uncomfortably, the seats were not the best, and the door locks were also faulty.
5. 2016 Honda Fit
While 2016 Honda Fit did end up with quite a bit of an issue, they were marginally less than the ones in the 2015 Honda Fit.
This year brought only three major issues to the foreground; uncomfortable seats, bad starters, and fuel injector failure.
A bad driving experience is one thing but a bad sitting experience is completely unexpected from a company such as Honda.
The starter would go out, resulting in the car being unable to start.
This would prevent the car from starting even if fuel injectors were working properly, which was not common for this year’s model.
What Are The Best Years For The Honda Fit? Which Years To Buy
By now, you should have a good idea of why the above models are best avoided.
I’ll talk about the best models of the Honda Fit in this section. I recommend these models wholeheartedly, and I will tell you why.
1. 2014 Honda Fit
A stylish and economic model, the 2014 Honda Fit is probably one of the best years for the lineup.
This model had little to no issues and was undoubtedly the last good model released before the 2015 Honda Fit ruined the lineup’s reputation.
With great pickup and steering, the car is perfect for a group of 4 and very economical regarding its fuel consumption.
Compared to other cars, the 2014 Honda Fit has no issues with comfort, having great seats which amplify the driving experience immensely.
Exciting to drive and sporty in its feel, the Honda Fit is available in 5 different trims, each more amazing than the last.
The car has a great design and the specifications to back it up. This is easily visible with the quality engine and smooth shifting transmission.
While some users of the 2014 Honda Fit have had complaints, they have been few and very far between, making the 2014 model a great choice for first place on this list.
2. 2017 Honda Fit
The 2017 Honda Fit model is the next logical choice for second place on this list, featuring the same great ride quality and smooth acceleration.
I have opted to place it here because it has had slightly more issues than the 2014 model, which forced me to place it below the 2014 model.
Despite these issues, the impressive cargo room and visibility put other small cars to shame.
Available in only three trims, you may not feel like buying anything, but the base trim as that model of the Honda Fit comes with a generous amount of standard features.
The most notable of these features is the inclusion of the backup camera now being standard.
3. 2019 Honda Fit
With the introduction of the 2019 Honda Fit, people were very excited to see the new improvements.
Unfortunately, they would be disappointed as the 2019 Honda Fit did not have much to offer when compared to the 2017 model.
This is why I have placed it in 3rd place on this list. This is not a bad thing, though, as it still have many of the great features of the 2017 model.
The amazing cargo space and ride quality are equally matched by the visibility and the standard features this model provides.
This model was also available in 4 different trims, which is an improvement over the 2017 model but not a lot. While it is still a great model, it could have done more to set it apart.
4. 2018 Honda Fit
The 2018 Honda Fit also tried its hand at the improvement formula, the same as the 2019 model.
Unfortunately, it would not come close to the adjustments made by the 2019 model, so I have placed it below the 2019 model.
Furthermore, this should not surprise anyone, considering the 2019 model would obviously have better improvements than the 2018 model.
This is yet another reason why it is below the 2019 Honda Fit.
The car came in 4 different trims and was primarily known for its styling updates which would transition to the 2019 Honda Fit.
It retains what many people liked about the 2017 Honda Fit.
5. 2020 Honda Fit
The final model on this is the 2020 Honda Fit. While the car is still in its infancy, it has had little to no issues, which is why I have placed it at the tail end of this list.
This year retains the same 4 trim models that the Honda Fit has been running since 2018 and further improves upon its newest model.
The 2020 model features great ride quality and acceleration along with the same visibility and good cargo space the Honda Fit is known for.
The 2020 Honda Fit also brings many standard features to the table; another plus that led this year to join this list.
Only time will tell whether or not, the 2020 Honda Fit will rise to the heights of the other models on this list.
How Reliable Is A Honda Fit?
Across various user reports, the Honda Fit can rank quite high regarding reliability.
The car can retain its quality and comfort across most recent models, averaging a reliability score of 80+.
If this is not enough to show you how good the Honda Fit is, you should get a better idea when I talk about its life and the number of yearly repairs.
How Long Do Honda Fits Last?
The minimum number of miles you can expect from the Honda Fit is 200,000.
This is assuming you do the bare minimum. Assuming to take good care of your Honda Fit, you will be able to push it to 300,000.
The Honda Fit can last anywhere between 13 and 16 years comfortably.
What To Do To Lengthen The Life Of Your Honda Fit
With such a long range between min and max life, you would want to do your best to ensure that your Honda Fit lasts as long as possible.
Here are a few things you should practice:
- Change fluids regularly.
- Clean and polish the Honda Fit once a month.
- Avoid driving off the road.
- Drive slowly and avoid hard braking.
- Take your Honda Fit to the mechanic regularly for maintenance.
Doing all of this should ensure that your Honda Fit can reach its maximum life.
Things That Shorten The Lifespan Of Your Honda Fit
There are also a variety of things you can do that can negatively affect the life of your Honda Fit.
Here are some of these things which you should avoid if you want to keep driving your Honda Fit:
- Using cheap quality parts as replacement.
- Driving too little or too much.
- Revving the engine when it is cold.
- Driving on empty.
- Overloading the Honda Fit.
If you can avoid all of these activities, you should be able to enjoy your Honda Fit for many years.
3 Most Honda Fit Common Problems You Should Know
I have gone over the main issues surrounding the Honda Fit.
Here, I will elaborate on the most common issues that Honda Fit owners have faced over the years.
1. Defective Clear Coats
Over the years, the most common issue many Honda Fits suffered was that their clear coats would fade away.
Defective clear coats could not protect the car from the sun’s rays. This resulted in the paint slowly chipping away as well.
2. Uncomfortable Seats
While this may not be a huge deal, it is something to consider when driving a car.
Uncomfortable seats can break a deal, and the Honda Fit’s seats were uncomfortable. This turned off a lot of people who were very vocal about this issue.
3. Power Steering Failure
An electrical issue that affected quite a few years worth of models, the Honda Fit would suddenly lose its power steering.
This would make it very difficult to drive and could even lead to an accident.
Additionally, the power steering module would have to be replaced, which was not a cheap endeavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is Honda Fit A Good Car?
If you are able to get a good model in the lineup, you will find that the Honda Fit is a pretty good model.
It has fewer issues and is generally quite reliable, making it a good pick overall.
Q2: Do Honda Fits Hold Their Value?
The Honda Fit is able to exceptionally hold its value. It has a depreciation rate of just 28% after five years which is much lower than other cars on the market.
This means that it is a very good car if you plan to sell it down the line.
Q3: How Many Honda Fits Have Been Sold?
By the end of 2019, the Honda Fit was able to sell more than 2.8 million units worldwide.
This is a very impressive feat for a subcompact car, especially considering that the market is leaning more towards SUVs.
Q4: Which Honda Fit Engine Is The Most Reliable?
You do not necessarily buy a Honda Fit for speed and power.
With that being said, if you want a quality engine, then the 1.5L 4-cylinder engine is able to output a good amount of horsepower.
Q5: Is Honda Fit Expensive To Maintain?
You can expect the Honda Fit to cost a grand total of $390 per year.
This is quite low when you notice that the average repair amount for cars like the Honda Fit is $456. This means that the car is quite cheap to maintain.
Conclusion
The Honda Fit has had its ups and downs over the years.
It hit a major snag in the middle of the lineup where the company was releasing model after model, which was riddled with issues.
Despite this setback, the company was able to pick up its feet and release quality models, which helped the brand prosper.
I have done my best to let you know about all the best and worst years for Honda Fit.
You should be able to use this article to easily find the model which is perfect for you while being able to stay away from all the bad models.
