Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 217 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Honda Fit, and it carries 8 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 48 | 22% |
| Structure | 28 | 13% |
| Power train | 17 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 11 | 5% |
| Steering | 10 | 5% |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 8 | 4% |
| Engine | 8 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My Honda Fit with an automatic transmission experienced a driveshaft failure due to corrosion in August 2018. At that time, Honda had announced a recall for similar driveshaft corrosion failures affecting manual‑transmis
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Id like for my car to get assessed for any of the 8 recalled items that pop up in your system.. I bought this car from a dealership and I don't believe that they did anything for it to fix the recall problems
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Fit. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. While driving approximately 55 MPH or faster, there was a misfire coming from the engine. The contact stated whil
NHTSA complaint: Power train
When the car is started, it cranks with a bit of hesitation. It then has a rough idle. After putting the car in gear and going, it will just shut off while it's in drive. I then have to place the car in neutral while
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
My Bumper snapped off with going down a driveway. It’s made of plastic and it’s broken and need to be replaced. This is an ongoing issue with this vehicle. Every Honda fit I see on the road has this issue. This is danger
NHTSA complaint: Structure
Above mentioned Honda Fit Vin number JHMGD38678S043570 had same issue with low beam headlight recall (TSB 10-082 low beam headlight recall) Low beam headlight do not work. Car was sent to Pohanka dealership for repai
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
I got a letter from Honda regarding a recall to my vehicle Honda fit, I headed to crest Honda dealer, they refused to check it, and sent me back. Then while I was heading home they sent me fake report stating that it’s b
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Fit. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated continuously. The vehicle was able to restart after waiting.
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2008 Honda Fit. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Acura ILX, 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, and 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles with a manual transmission and 2009-2013 Honda Fit vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia,
Risk: 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 incre
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing either the left or right drive shaft, if necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk with an inte
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-213
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, i
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Ho
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, Calif
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138
| Reliability raw | 53 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 75 | good |
| Performance | 39 | below average |
| Efficiency | 53 | average |
Percentile ranks against other wagons in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 217 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 48 of them (22%). There are 8 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 53/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.