2018 Honda Fit Reliability Report

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

Good

Ranks 10th of 13 Fit years we score.

Owner complaints: 117; 9 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 29.5; 36,658 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.84×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 20; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 4
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2017 Fit 2019 Fit →

Should You Buy the 2018 Honda Fit?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2018 Honda Fit is 73 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported fewer problems than for the average car of the same age. It ranks 10th of the 13 Fit years we score.

The most reported problem is the instrument cluster, mostly works on and off (23 of 117 complaints). Owners also complain about the fuel injectors and paint and rust. 20 of the 117 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 4 recalls. Honda also offers two warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the paint and engine. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2017 scores 88 and the 2019 scores 73.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 19-064 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 73
Fewer problems than the average car its age
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
5-star NHTSA overall crash rating

Cons

Instrument cluster: works on and off23 complaints
Fuel injector: rough running or misfires20 complaints
Paint and rust: damage10 complaints

How the 2018 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 problems20 complaints · average car: about 40	0.52×	−8
Everyday problems88 complaints · average car: about 55	1.6×	−6
Problems in the last two years13 complaints · average car: about 17	0.77×	−8
Recalls4 recalls · average car: about 5.3	0.82×	−5
Score		73

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 117 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Honda Fit, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 117.

Instrument cluster: works on and off
23 complaints (20%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working. Median mileage when it started: about 32,000 miles.
Fuel injector: rough running or misfires
20 complaints (17%)
Rough running or misfires, a failure and warning lights. 2 of these 20 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 50,000 miles.
Paint and rust: damage
10 complaints (9%)
Damage. Median mileage when it started: about 28,000 miles.
Engine: rough running or misfires
6 complaints (5%)
Rough running or misfires, carbon buildup and a loss of power. 2 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 48,000 miles.
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
5 complaints (4%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead and problems that come and go. 2 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking.
Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
5 complaints (4%)
Rough running or misfires.
Driver-assist camera and radar failure
5 complaints (4%)
A failure that needed a new part, a feature that stopped working and warning lights.
VTC actuator: unusual noises
4 complaints (3%)
Unusual noises.
12V battery failure
3 complaints (3%)
A failure.
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
3 complaints (3%)
Water leaking in.
Fluid leak (cause not stated)
3 complaints (3%)
A leak. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an injury.
Cabin odor or mold: a bad smell
2 complaints (2%)
A bad smell.
Check engine light (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
Warning lights.
Exhaust or catalytic converter: fault code
2 complaints (2%)
A stored fault code.
Fuel pump failure
2 complaints (2%)
A failure that needed a new part and the car not starting. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start.

Show 8 more problems

Fuel system: stalling
2 complaints (2%)
Stalling and reduced power or limp mode. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Screen and audio: works on and off
2 complaints (2%)
Problems that come and go and draining the battery.
Burning odor (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
Smoke or a burning smell.
Electrical system (part not stated): works on and off
2 complaints (2%)
Problems that come and go.
Problem not described (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
Hesitation.
Rearview camera: works on and off
2 complaints (2%)
Problems that come and go.
Stall (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
Stalling. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.

Reported Once (27)

Show the 27 problems reported once

A/C: stopped working
CVT: harsh or delayed shifts
Adaptive cruise control: works on and off
Brakes failure
Several warning lights at once
Engine air intake: carbon buildup
Fuel diluting the engine oil
Engine sensors or computer: fault code
Forward collision warning: works on and off
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
Fuel gauge or level sensor: works on and off
Fumes in cabin (cause not stated)
Ignition coils or spark plugs: damage
Lane keeping assist: works on and off
Loss of power (cause not stated)
Noise (cause not stated)
Passenger airbag sensor: works on and off
Actuator (unspecified): unusual noises
Fuel joint pipe failure
Fuel pipe failure
Seat heater: overheating
Phone and navigation: the system acting on its own
Road departure mitigation: the system acting on its own
Stability control (VSA): fault code
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
Valve train: carbon buildup
Vibration (cause not stated)

How the 2018 Honda Fit Compares With Other Years

The other Fit years of the 3rd generation, 2015 to 2020.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2020	Excellent	82	0.38×	10.3	4	Instrument cluster: works on and off
2019	Good	73	0.84×	23.9	6	Instrument cluster: works on and off
2018 This year	Good	73	0.84×	29.5	4	Instrument cluster: works on and off
2017	Excellent	88	0.31×	10.6	0	Instrument cluster: works on and off
2016	Excellent	86	0.46×	16.8	1	Instrument cluster: works on and off
2015	Good	74	0.88×	32.7	4	Instrument cluster: works on and off

See every Fit year

2018 Honda Fit Recalls

Four recalls cover the 2018 Honda Fit. The most recent was issued in May 2026: “Air Bags May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Air Bags May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA 26V332000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 21, 2026.
Inoperative Rearview Camera Display/FMVSS 111, May 2024
An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 24V384000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 31, 2024. By the second quarter of 2026, 68% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Pump May Fail
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 23V858000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 18, 2023. By the second quarter of 2026, 73% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Inoperative Rearview Camera Display/FMVSS 111, February 2023
An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 23V046000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 2, 2023. By the fourth quarter of 2024, 70% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2018 Honda Fit Warranty Extensions and Programs

Honda has two warranty extensions for the 2018 Honda Fit, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the paint and engine. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which a Honda dealer can check.

Warranty extensionHonda 19-064
White Orchid Pearl or Bellanova White paint peeling
The problem:
The factory White Orchid Pearl paint, also called Bellanova White, can peel off. It can be too thin in places such as the roof and around the tailgate.
The fix:
A Honda dealer has a certified body shop repaint the peeling panels for free. Owners who paid for this repair before may be repaid.
Who qualifies:
Only White Orchid Pearl or Bellanova White cars qualify. Peeling must come from the factory paint, not bird droppings, sap or crashes. Honda must approve each repair first. Coverage passes to later owners. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
7 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionHonda 23-042
Engine misfire from carbon on intake valves
The problem:
Carbon can build up on the intake valves. Together with the engine software settings, this can make the engine misfire.
The fix:
A Honda dealer updates the engine software and cleans the carbon off the intake valves for free.
Who qualifies:
Only Fits with the CVT qualify. The car needs a stored misfire fault from carbon buildup on the intake valves. The VIN must show as eligible.
Coverage:
10 years or 150,000 miles from the original purchase date, whichever comes first.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2018 Fit ratings on NHTSA.gov.

5-door hatchback FWD

Overall5/5

Frontal crash5/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2018 Fit, from its four recalls, two Honda warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

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

Air Bags May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash NHTSA 26V332000
Inoperative Rearview Camera Display/FMVSS 111, May 2024 NHTSA 24V384000
Fuel Pump May Fail NHTSA 23V858000
Inoperative Rearview Camera Display/FMVSS 111, February 2023 NHTSA 23V046000

Ask a Honda Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

19-064: White Orchid Pearl or Bellanova White paint peeling
23-042: engine misfire from carbon on intake valves

On the Test Drive

Test the screen, audio and phone connection for freezing or rebooting.
Check the paint and the underbody for rust or peeling clear coat.
Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.

Ask the Seller

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

Instrument cluster
Fuel injectors
Paint and rust
Also ask for the service records, especially oil 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.