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 176 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Honda Fit, and it carries 10 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 | 86 | 49% |
| Power train | 11 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 6% |
| Engine | 9 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 8 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 3% |
| Steering | 3 | 2% |
| Structure | 2 | 1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 2 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I was driving and came to a four-way stop. When I accelerated from the stop, I heard a loud snapping noise and immediately lost the ability to drive the vehicle, although the engine continued to run normally. After inspe
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Electrical Fire.Happened Friday 6/5/26 sometime after I parked for the night. Vehicle was parked for the night. I went out the next day and the key fob nor the key would open the door. To try and see what might be jammed
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The coil component for the spark plug melted completely which caused the vehicle to stop working leaving me stranded on the side of the road.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Paint has peeled extensively allowing for rust to form to roof and hood, which I suspect is a defect as opposed to natural wear. Similar Fits of white color have an existing class action lawsuit. This is for blue color.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The fuse block became defective, thereby the brake lights, horn, tail lights, and blinkers stopped working.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The power steering goes out while driving randomly and has been happening every drive for at least a year and 6 months. It passes car inspections because the situation is restarted when you turn the car off and turn it o
NHTSA complaint: Steering
IT WAS AN 185/55R16 VENTUS V2 CONCEPT2 H457 AND I HAD BLOWOUTS TWO TIMES, BOTH OF THE BLOWOUTS WERE ON THE BACK TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THE FIRST BLOWOUT HAPPENED A DAY AFTER IT WAS PUT ON TO MY VEHICLE, THE SECOND
NHTSA complaint: Tires
Last evening the interior vehicle power (headlights, dash lights, AC/heat fan) intermittently flashed off then back on while driving...when this happened as I arrived home, I completely lost power steering (electronic po
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2013 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 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississipp
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 November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-21
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 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 | 52 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 75 | good |
| Performance | 39 | below average |
| Efficiency | 54 | average |
| Safety | 80 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other wagons in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 176 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 86 of them (49%). There are 10 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 52/100 (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 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2013 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 67/100. 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.