2010 Honda Fit problems (as explained by a long-term owner)

I love my 2010 Honda Fit. It’s been a very dependable (and very practical) car for me since the day I bought it off the dealer lot, and despite it’s age, I just can’t bring myself to trade it in on something else. As you can imagine, it was really hard for me to create this comprehensive list of 2010 Honda Fit problems. It’s like talking smack about your own precious baby.

The biggest problem with the 2010 Honda Fit has been related to the airbags. They have been known to fail due to defective parts installed at the factory, and a massive recall effort was created to get all the affected vehicles repaired. Other common problems include transmission failure, erratic steering, and a delicate locking systems that doesn’t stand up to daily use.

All the 2010 Honda Fit problems you need to know about

Despite how scary of some of the problems below may sound, just know this: my 2010 Honda Fit (that I’ve owned since it was brand new) has been completely trouble-free. I have not experienced ANY of the problems you’ll read about below.

That being said, it’s not a perfect car (there are 5 things I hate about it), and the following are the most common problems that other owners have faced:

Engine

• The engine stalls out in cold temperatures (when the engine is not fully warmed up). Drivers experienced a sharp loss in power while driving with no explanation.
• Several drivers experienced unprompted acceleration at slow speeds. This seemed to occur at speeds under 10 MPH, and drivers reported minor crashes occurring due to this issue.
• Drivers reported the 2010 Honda Fit stalling out at stops and on hills when the engine was not warm and the outside temperature was cold.

Again, for the record: I have not experienced any of these problems in my 2010 Honda Fit.

Powertrain

• Multiple drivers reported having the axle shaft break apart while accelerating from a stop. This problem comes from corrosion of the metal to the point of failure.
• Drivers report the transmission failing while trying to accelerate from a stop. Reports state that the Fit would not engage the transmission, which had pieces missing or shredded. This sometimes occurred in tandem with axle failure.

Knowing first hand how underpowered the Fit is, all I can do is scratch my head and wonder how people are destroying their transmissions in these cars from simple acceleration alone.

Brakes

• Drivers report the ABS (anti-lock brake system) failing and brakes locking during evasive driving maneuvers at moderate to highway speed and happened while drivers took action to avoid collisions.
• Drivers reported that the brakes either would not respond or were operating without the power braking system at slow speeds.

The only problems I’ve had with the brakes on my 201o Fit is that they wore out relatively early. I had to get all new rotors and pads at just 50,000 miles.

On a related note, the tires wore out at about 50,000 miles as well. Not to worry though – the best tires for a Honda Fit aren’t all that expensive.

Steering

• Drivers report a complete loss of steering control (sometimes at highway speed), resulting in a crash.
• There have been reports of the 2010 Fit responding independently of the driver’s actions. In at least one reported incident, this resulted in a rollover crash. 
• Divers also report losing all control over steering during hard braking at moderate to high speeds.

Yikes. I’ve never experienced any of these problems with my Fit, and…I’m kind of wishing that I didn’t know this. It’s also worth noting that power steering failure isn’t all that uncommon in older cars. 

Exterior

• Drivers report that the key will no longer fit in the lock.
• Drivers report hearing a grinding or screeching noise when attempting to unlock the door with either the key or the keyless entry fob.
• Drivers also report the locks not responding to attempts to unlock with either the key or the key fob.
• People have made the same type of report about the ignition. Namely, that the key will not turn the ignition and that the ignition key cylinder will make a grinding noise when attempting to turn on the vehicle.
• Some drivers have found the paint on their vehicles becoming discolored, cracking, and flaking after a few years. This has been reported predominantly with darker-colored vehicles. Not only that, many other vehicles made by Honda suffer from this defect. 

Again, I’ve yet to experience any of these issues. Also, my Fit is dark blue, and has been sitting out in the Southern California sun since 2010. It hasn’t started to fade yet.

Air bags

Many issues are related to the Takata airbag recall. Drivers report several problems regarding the airbags. These include:

• Airbags not deploying during a crash
• Airbags deploying without a crash
• Airbags inflating without deploying

Interior

• Drivers report feeling the driver seat wobbling during turn. The bolts holding the seat to the car frame fail and crack.
• The seat belts have come free from their anchors, and drivers also report the seat belts not engaging when brakes are applied.
• Complaints from drivers about the headrest on the front seats state that the headrest pushes their heads forward in an uncomfortable manner and cannot be adjusted to fix the problem.
• The carpeting under the driver’s feet shreds and wears away after less than 10,000 miles.

For what it’s worth, I do agree about the headrest problem. It is angled too far forward, but I’ve been able to resolve the issue (slightly) by pushing the headrest all the way down.

Climate control system

• A/C fan will only blow at the highest setting
• A/C lines freeze up, causing the A/C unit to fail
• Temperature control dials get hot to the touch

My biggest complaint about my Fit is the air conditioning. It’s extremely weak, and it takes a long time to cool down the interior of the car.

Windows

• The front windshield can develop spontaneous cracks without an impact from foreign objects. Reports state that drivers hear a loud popping sound, and then a crack will form.
• Drivers also report rear windows and side windows shattering when they shut a door.

As you could probably guess with all the commentary I’ve given so far, I have not yet experienced any of these problems in my Fit.

Electrical

• Honda used soy-based wire sheathing for their electrical wiring. The soy in the sheathing attracts rodents (who love to chew on it), and as a result, the wires fail and cause major issues in the electrical system.
• Drivers report various electrical system failures in cold weather, including power steering going out and navigation systems not working.
• Another electrical issue reported is headlights dimming when other devices are being used, like cabin temperature control.

Maybe I’m just lucky, but I haven’t experienced any of these issues (yet).

Is the 2010 Honda Fit reliable enough to be a daily driver?

The 2010 Honda Fit gets overall good reviews for reliability and customer satisfaction. Looking at various car buying and car info sites, the 2010 Fit scores on average at 79% 5-star ratings, with about 8% giving 3-star or lower ratings.

JD Power & Associates gives it a 4 out of 5 ranking for reliability. Other, less well-known sites also give the 2010 Fit between 4-4.5 out of 5 ratings pretty much across the board.

On a personal note, my 2010 Honda Fit has been my daily driver since the day I bought it new off the dealer’s lot in 2010. It’s been a fantastically dependable car for me, and I find it to be extremely practical for daily driving.

If you’re curious to know how reliable it is compared to other cars in the Honda lineup, do be sure to read my Honda Fit vs Civic comparison. I go into great detail about how it’s like to live with both of these cars as a daily driver in that guide.

How long will a 2010 Honda Fit last?

With proper maintenance and care, it is not uncommon to find a 2010 fit lasting 300,000 miles. At an average of 15,000 miles per year, that would give it a 20-year life span. Honda has a reputation for longevity and reliability, and this includes the 2010 Fit.

At the time of this writing, my 2010 Fit is 11 years old and still going strong.

Let me say this: don’t let what I’ve written so far dissuade you from purchasing an older Honda Fit. Problems and issues are common in every car (even what you might consider to be the most dependable ones.) 

Why shouldn’t you buy a Honda Fit?

If you are particularly tall, you may want to consider a different vehicle, as the Fit is a subcompact car and has limited room for larger adults. Also:

• If you suffer from back or neck pain, the Fit may not be right, as some drivers have reported issues with adjusting the headrest to a comfortable position.
• If you are looking for a car to haul a trailer or do other types of heavy hauling, the Fit would not be ideal.
• You might also think twice about getting a Fit of this era if you live in a hot southern state. The air conditioning system is abysmal, and it may not live up to your expectations.

For more information, do be sure to read my full 2010 Honda Fit review.

Recalls (all of them)

The 2010 Fit has racked up it’s fair share of recalls over the years. Most of them have been to airbag issues, and all are a simple fix for your local Honda dealer. You can read more information about all of the recalls for the Honda Fit here.

December 10, 2010: Driveshaft can corrode, causing failure

The driveshaft can become corroded and break. When this occurs, the engine is no longer attached to the wheels, making movement impossible. The parking brake will also no longer be able to set, so the car will roll freely.

February 17, 2011: Lost motion spring

A loss of a motion spring can cause the vehicle to stall, which increases the risk of a crash.

February 3, 2016: Driver airbag inflator might rupture

In the event of an airbag deployment during a crash, a rupture in the airbag inflator can cause metal debris to strike passengers, potentially causing injury or death.

May 24, 2016: Front passenger airbag inflator might rupture

A ruptured passenger airbag inflator can cause metal debris to hit passengers, resulting in potential injury or death.

January 10, 2017: Front passenger air bag inflator might rupture

A ruptured passenger airbag inflator can cause metal debris to hit passengers, resulting in potential injury or death.

August 31, 2017: Improperly installed replacement airbag

If the airbag inflator is not installed correctly, it may not deploy the airbag correctly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk for injury or death.

January 29, 2018: Front passenger airbag inflator may explode

An airbag inflator explosion can send metal debris into the vehicle’s interior and may cause injury or death.

April 26, 2018: Improperly installed front passenger airbag

If the airbag inflator is not properly installed, it may not deploy the airbag correctly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk for injury or death.

September 27, 2018: Front passenger airbag may explode

An exploding airbag can send metal debris out, potentially striking people in the vehicle, resulting in injury or death.

May 16, 2019: Improperly installed front passenger airbag inflator

If the airbag inflator is not correctly installed, it may not deploy the airbag correctly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk for injury or death.

June 27, 2019: Front passenger airbag may explode

An exploding airbag can send metal debris out, potentially striking people in the vehicle, resulting in injury or death.

June 27, 2019: Front driver airbag may explode

An exploding airbag can send metal debris into the vehicle, potentially hitting people in the vehicle, resulting in injury or death.