Reduced Honda Reliability for 2015: In the 2015 Consumer Reports Reliability Survey Honda dropped for places to 8th. This was attributed to issues with their new transmissions (DCT, 8/9 speeds, CVT) and their infotainment systems. The biggie is the CVT issues. It might be better to buy Honda’s manual transmission instead. There is no mention of any specific model giving problems. Honda is still a reliable brand name. The ratings chart is here. Hyundai and Kia have moved up 4 places.
Extremely thin roof metal: A number of owners have heavily dented the metal on their roofs by leaning on the roof with their elbows and washing or waxing their car. This has been replicated in a couple of cases. The fix was to hire a dent removal company for a couple of hundred dollars. Remediation: none. Metal on the roof that can be dented with my thumb is pretty cheap. I would have paid more for thicker metal.
7″ Touch Screen Infotainment system Problems: There were a couple of issues here. The 2015 Consumer Reports Reliability Survey knocked Honda down 4 places to 8th because of CVT and Infotainment System problems, so this is big. This does not apply to the Canadian DX base or the US LX base models, which have a 5″ non-touch infotainment system.
- No volume knob: Volume is changed with a slider on the touch screen. The problem is the touch screen is relatively insensitive, which means that changing volume while driving is really difficult. I tried and could not do it reliably. You need to take your eyes off the road, which is dangerous and more than a little annoying. Remediation: Use the volume control on the steering wheel.
- HDMI input of limited/no use: The HDMI input only works with IOS, requires 2 proprietary cables, and shuts down when the car is put into gear. In other words it ceases to work when you are driving. Does not work at all with Android.
- No Aux in jack: If you have any older devices without bluetooth or do not want to use Bluetooth, this system is not for you. There is currently no way to add an aux in to this system. Bluetooth also reduced sound fidelity and burns up device power. Remediation: Use the USB input instead. Consider buying a lower Fit model that has the 5″ non-touch screen, which has the aux in.
No Hatch Key Opening: You cannot unlatch the hatch from the driver seat, as there is no opening mechanism. From the hatch door you cannot lock or unlock with the key has there is no key opening. You need to press the key unlock button twice and then press the hatch door lever in order to open the hatch. I’d rather a key lock.
Manual Transmission gearing too closely spaced: The 5th and 6th gears are extremely closely spaced, so close that there is really no benefit to them. On the highway at 70 mph the engine is at 3,000 rpm. Some drivers have noted this is louder than it should be, as compared to the CVT that revs at 2,500 rpm for 70 mph. Remediation: none. Live with it, or buy the CVT.
Canadian DX model has no center console / arm rest: I’d have preferred to get a center console, or at least an option to buy a center console, but there is no option. Remediation: Buy a 3d party model from eBay. This is not ideal. The eBay center consoles are vinyl and come with an ashtray, which I think is disgusting. The Canadian model is the only Canada/US model without a center console, so numbers are very limited.
Center Console / Arm Rest too low: For the rest of Canada/US the center console arm rest is so low that it is not useful as an arm rest. Many owners have resorted to putting a 4″ pillow on top of their arm rest and using velcro to tie it down. Remediation: Buy an after market pillow / yoga block and velcro it down to your arm rest. This looks bad.
Hatch carpeting is thin: The carpeting in the rear section and second row seat backs is really thin and will quickly wear out. Remediation: You really need to add a plastic tray or extra carpeting in order to protect you car.
Engine splash shield loosens and falls off after oil change: There is a splash shield underneath the car, a piece of plastic that makes the underside more aerodynamic. It is held in with 8 plastic bolts and 2 push pins. After an oil change these bolts and push pins weaken. The splash shield loosens and then falls off. Replacement cost is $300. This is a known issue for many owners. The solution is to zip tie the splash shield to the chassis.
2015 Engine splash shield falls off after oil change. Shield is held on by 6 plastic bolts and 2 push pins, a very poor design.
Rear Wheel Well Liners: On the higher trim models, above the base Can DX and Us LX, there are some rear wheel well liners. These tend to sag, leave a large opening and let water and dirt in between the liner and the metal frame.
Recommendations for Model Lines: The Canadian base model did the job for our family, but I did have more funds for an upgrade that remain unused. The 7″ touch screen infotainment center was a big turnoff. I am expecting that Honda will never upgrade this head unit and knew that I simply could not live with a touch screen that was that insensitive. It also did not support Android.
2016 Honda Fit DX, Canadian, is similar to the US LX. Photo by Don Tai.
Gas mileage: At 105kph on a 100 km highway run I got 5.9L/100km, 40mpg. This is on the low end of hybrid territory. Around town is 6.9L/100km, still respectable.
2023 Dec 22 Due to circumstances I could not pick up Little Wed from the ‘Loo, so my Uncle took his Toyota CHR. They came back but almost could not pack Little Weed’s goods into his CHR. I wondered why. The CHR, with seats down, has a rear capacity of 36.4 cu feet, while the Honda Fit has a rear cargo capacity of 52.7 cu feet, or 45% more rear space. No wonder Little Weed felt quite a bit more cramped. In contrast the Honda HRV has a rear cargo space of 55.1 cu feet.