2020 Honda Fit Reliability Report

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

Excellent

Ranks 3rd of 13 Fit years we score.

Owner complaints: 36; 1 is a recall notice
Per 10,000 cars: 10.3; 34,050 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.38×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 5; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 4
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2019 Fit

Should You Buy the 2020 Honda Fit?

Yes. Our reliability score for the 2020 Honda Fit is 82 out of 100, which rates Excellent. Owners reported about a third as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 3rd of the 13 Fit years we score.

The most reported problem is the instrument cluster, mostly works on and off (7 of 36 complaints). Owners also complain about the engine carbon buildup and automatic emergency braking. 5 of the 36 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 4 recalls. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2019 scores 73.

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

Excellent reliability score of 82
About a third of the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Instrument cluster: works on and off7 complaints
Engine carbon buildup: rough running or misfires5 complaints
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead4 complaints

How the 2020 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 problems5 complaints · average car: about 29	0.22×	−3
Everyday problems30 complaints · average car: about 39	0.78×	−5
Problems in the last two years5 complaints · average car: about 18	0.34×	−4
Recalls4 recalls · average car: about 4.4	0.94×	−6
Score		82

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 36 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 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 36.

Instrument cluster: works on and off
7 complaints (19%)
Problems that come and go and a failure that needed a new part. Median mileage when it started: about 7,000 miles.
Engine carbon buildup: rough running or misfires
5 complaints (14%)
Rough running or misfires and warning lights.
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
4 complaints (11%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead, warning lights and problems that come and go. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking.
Driver-assist camera and radar: stopped working
4 complaints (11%)
A feature that stopped working, a failure and problems that come and go.
Rear window glass: shattering or cracking
3 complaints (8%)
Shattering or cracking.
Fuel system: a bad smell
2 complaints (6%)
A bad smell and rough running or misfires.
Steering: sticking or stiffness
2 complaints (6%)
Sticking or stiffness.

Reported Once (15)

Show the 15 problems reported once

Adaptive cruise control: works on and off
Airbag warning light
Brakes: vibration or shudder
Engine: a loss of power
Engine mounts: vibration or shudder
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
Fuel injector: rough running or misfires
Headlights: works on and off
Lane keeping assist: works on and off
Transmission mount: vibration or shudder
Road departure mitigation: works on and off
Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
Side or curtain airbags: no deployment in a crash
Car not starting (cause not stated)
Windshield: damage

How the 2020 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 This year	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	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

2020 Honda Fit Recalls

Four recalls cover the 2020 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.
Air Bag May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash
An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA 24V064000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 1, 2024. By the second quarter of 2026, 52% 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.

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2020 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 2020 Fit, from its four recalls 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
Air Bag May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash NHTSA 24V064000
Inoperative Rearview Camera Display/FMVSS 111, February 2023 NHTSA 23V046000

On the Test Drive

Test the screen, audio and phone connection for freezing or rebooting.
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
Engine carbon buildup
Automatic emergency braking
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.