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 287 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Honda Fit, and it carries 11 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 | 99 | 34% |
| Steering | 35 | 12% |
| Power train | 29 | 10% |
| Visibility | 15 | 5% |
| Structure | 13 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 3% |
| Tires | 9 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 2% |
| Engine | 6 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Honda Fit. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 54,24
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Honda has sent me numerous mailers advertising a gift card and loaner vehicle as incentives for participating in their Takata recall. Honda also cites the promise of a loaner vehicle in every press release trumpeting th
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
At highways speeds vehicle became difficult to maintain in a straight path. Slight change in the steering would result in car drifting to the left or right, requiring constant correction. Car felt unsafe to drive...too
NHTSA complaint: Steering
My doors have defaulted to the lock position, even when the vehicle is occupied. The electronic unlock system will not permit the car to unlock. The manual lock strongly resists being moved to the unlock position. With
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The power steering warning light is on intermittently. The steering is too heavy to turn and the wheels feel like locked.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
While driving without warning ? the car loses power steering the steering wheel locks up no control I hit the side walk back up power steering return and sometimes the car just shuts off a few put in park crank up
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Pulling out onto a busy highway my car lost propulsion. It died in the middle of the highway with cars coming towards me. I found out the front right drive axle broke. I have photos of the broken drive axle. I later foun
NHTSA complaint: Power train
On April 25, 2022 our 2009 Fit started rolling away when it was parked, not in gear and the parking brake was not set. In trying to "catch" the car from traveling into the street, my elderly husband took a bad fall and s
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2009 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 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air b
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda
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 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped wi
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 driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-201
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 air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-21
| Reliability raw | 45 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 66 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 75 | good |
| Performance | 39 | below average |
| Efficiency | 54 | average |
Percentile ranks against other wagons in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 287 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 99 of them (34%). There are 11 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 45/100 (below 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 66/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 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 63/100. 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.