2009 Honda Fit Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 23, 2026

Good

Ranks 6th of 13 Fit years we score.

Owner complaints: 287; 82 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 24.5; 83,649 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.70×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 84; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 11
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

← 2008 Fit 2010 Fit →

Should You Buy the 2009 Honda Fit?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2009 Honda Fit is 76 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported fewer problems than for the average car of the same age. It ranks 6th of the 13 Fit years we score.

The most reported problem is the steering, mostly sticking or stiffness (43 of 287 complaints). Owners also complain about the driveshaft or CV axle and stalling. 84 of the 287 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 11 recalls. For comparison, the 2010 scores 74.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 76
Fewer problems than the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Steering: sticking or stiffness43 complaints
CV axles: parts breaking or coming apart26 complaints
Stall (cause not stated)10 complaints
First year of a new generation

How the 2009 Fit Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems84 complaints · average car: about 119	0.71×	−9
Everyday problems121 complaints · average car: about 177	0.68×	−4
Problems in the last two years0 complaints · average car: about 3.7	0.29×	−3
Recalls11 recalls · average car: about 4.1	2.1×	−8
Score		76

Each part shows two counts: this year's so far, and what an average car would have at the same age. For complaints, that average car was made in the same number as this one. “Vs average” compares the two counts, but in our scoring system we first add a little to both, so a few complaints cannot swing the result. That is why it is not simply one count divided by the other. The last two years count only complaints about five systems: the engine and fuel system, transmission, brakes, steering, and airbags and seat belts.

What Owners Report

We read all 287 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Honda Fit, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Steering: sticking or stiffness
43 complaints (15%)
Sticking or stiffness, problems that come and go and locking up. 11 of these 43 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 4 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 79,000 miles.
CV axles: parts breaking or coming apart
26 complaints (9%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, a failure that needed a new part and rust or corrosion. 23 of these 26 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 114,000 miles.
Stall (cause not stated)
10 complaints (3%)
Stalling. 7 of these 10 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 44,000 miles.
Windshield: shattering or cracking
10 complaints (3%)
Shattering or cracking. Median mileage when it started: about 13,000 miles.
Screen and audio: works on and off
9 complaints (3%)
Problems that come and go. Median mileage when it started: about 130,000 miles.
Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
9 complaints (3%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, damage and early wear. 3 of these 9 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 20,000 miles.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
7 complaints (2%)
No deployment in a crash and improper deployment. 2 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 80,000 miles.
Paint and rust: damage
7 complaints (2%)
Damage and rust or corrosion. Median mileage when it started: about 83,000 miles.
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
6 complaints (2%)
Water leaking in. Median mileage when it started: about 63,000 miles.
Brakes: loss of braking
5 complaints (2%)
Loss of braking, soft pedal and early wear. 3 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 12,000 miles.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
5 complaints (2%)
A loss of power. All 5 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 24,000 miles.
Seat belts: not releasing
5 complaints (2%)
Not releasing, locking up and problems that come and go. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 22,000 miles.
Tire pressure monitoring: warning lights
5 complaints (2%)
Warning lights, parts breaking or coming apart and a feature that stopped working. Median mileage when it started: about 96,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
5 complaints (2%)
Sudden acceleration. All 5 describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. Median mileage when it started: about 10,000 miles.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
4 complaints (1%)
No deployment in a crash and deployment injury. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 60,000 miles.

Show 17 more problems

Blower motor: stopped working
3 complaints (1%)
A feature that stopped working and a failure that needed a new part.
Instrument cluster: stopped working
3 complaints (1%)
A feature that stopped working and the system not working when needed. Median mileage when it started: about 47,000 miles.
Electrical system (part not stated): works on and off
3 complaints (1%)
Problems that come and go. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 79,000 miles.
Door lock actuators: stopped working
3 complaints (1%)
A feature that stopped working, the system acting on its own and not opening or unlocking.
Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
3 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, damage and unexpected movement. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 91,000 miles.
12V battery: the car not starting
2 complaints (under 1%)
The car not starting and a feature that stopped working. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start.
Airbag warning light
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights and a feature that stopped working.
Several warning lights at once
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights and problems that come and go.
Door latches: sticking or stiffness
2 complaints (under 1%)
Sticking or stiffness and not opening or unlocking.
Engine: stalling
2 complaints (under 1%)
Stalling and a fire. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Engine sensors or computer: fault code
2 complaints (under 1%)
A stored fault code and a loss of power. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Headlights: works on and off
2 complaints (under 1%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.
Ignition coils or spark plugs: damage
2 complaints (under 1%)
Damage and parts breaking or coming apart. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Noise (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Unusual noises.
Side or curtain airbags: no deployment in a crash
2 complaints (under 1%)
No deployment in a crash and a failure that needed a new part.
Valve train: unusual noises
2 complaints (under 1%)
Unusual noises.
Wheels seized (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Locking up.

Reported Once (18)

Show the 18 problems reported once

A/C condenser: a leak
Airbag inflator (rupture risk or Takata): deployment injury
Battery drain: draining the battery
Brake power assist: a hard pedal or less assist
Fuel diluting the engine oil
Exterior lights: stopped working
Interior trim: early wear
Oil drain plug: parts breaking or coming apart
Fire (cause not stated)
Vehicle alarm: the system acting on its own
Wheel studs or lug nuts: parts breaking or coming apart
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
Starter: unusual noises
Car not starting (cause not stated)
Transmission: unusual noises
Windows or locks or sunroof (operate by themselves): the system acting on its own
Windshield wipers: stopped working
Wiring, fuses or body control module: damage

How the 2009 Honda Fit Compares With Other Years

The other Fit years of the 2nd generation, 2009 to 2013, and the year just before it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2013	Excellent	81	0.36×	12.5	10	CV axles: parts breaking or coming apart
2012	Good	78	0.53×	16.3	11	Steering: works on and off
2011	Good	75	0.49×	15.1	11	CV axles: parts breaking or coming apart
2010	Good	74	0.49×	16.8	12	Steering: loss of steering control
2009 This year	Good	76	0.70×	24.5	11	Steering: sticking or stiffness
2008	Good	72	0.73×	23.4	8	Body seals (water leak): water leaking in

See every Fit year

2009 Honda Fit Recalls

The 2009 Honda Fit has 11 recalls. The most recent was issued in December 2020: “Drive Shaft May Corrode and Fail.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Drive Shaft May Corrode and Fail
A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle could also roll away if the parking brake has not been applied before the vehicle has been exited. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
NHTSA 20V770000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 10, 2020. By the fourth quarter of 2022, 49% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V500000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 67% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, June 2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V502000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 36% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Improperly Installed Passenger Air Bag Inflator
An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 19V378000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 16, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 49% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Improperly Installed Passenger Air Bag
An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 18V268000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 26, 2018. By the third quarter of 2019, 85% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, January 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V042000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 9, 2018. By the second quarter of 2019, 72% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 5 more recalls

Incorrectly Installed Replacement Air Bag
In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 17V545000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Aug 31, 2017. By the first quarter of 2019, 94% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 17V030000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 10, 2017. By the second quarter of 2018, 70% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, May 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V346000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 24, 2016. By the first quarter of 2018, 64% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V061000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 3, 2016. By the second quarter of 2018, 82% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Lost Motion Spring
A failure of the spring assemblies may cause the vehicle to stall during operation increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 11V101000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 17, 2011.

2009 Honda Fit Warranty Extensions and Programs

Honda has six customer support programs for the 2009 Honda Fit, separate from its recalls. All six are for problems with the airbags. Two have ended. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which a Honda dealer can check.

Customer support programHonda 18-052, 18-055 and 20-016
Front passenger's airbag inflator
3 programs with the same terms. Which one applies depends on the VIN.
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
18-052: Covered until January 31, 2027.
18-055: Covered until January 31, 2028.
20-016: Covered until January 31, 2030.
Another program for the same problem, Honda 18-066, has ended.
Bulletin 18-052 (PDF)Bulletin 18-055 (PDF)Bulletin 20-016 (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 20-011
Driver's airbag inflator
The problem:
The driver's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the driver's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
Covered until January 31, 2030.
Another program for the same problem, Honda 18-048, has ended.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA gave the 2009 Fit no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2009 Fit ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door with side airbags

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat5/5

Passenger seat5/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat5/5

Rear seat4/5

RolloverNot rated

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2009 Fit, from its 11 recalls and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Drive Shaft May Corrode and Fail NHTSA 20V770000
Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA 19V500000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, June 2019 NHTSA 19V502000
Improperly Installed Passenger Air Bag Inflator NHTSA 19V378000
Improperly Installed Passenger Air Bag NHTSA 18V268000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 11 recalls and which are still open.

On the Test Drive

Turn the wheel fully left and right, parked and at low speed. Sticking, notches or stiffness are warning signs.
Drive long enough to warm up fully, including at highway speed, and note any stalling or loss of power.
Test the screen, audio and phone connection for freezing or rebooting.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Steering
Driveshaft or CV axle
Stalling
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes and transmission fluid changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All Fit Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.