2016 Honda Fit Problems
Compared with other Honda Fit years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
8/100 0.4× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.4× that of a typical Honda Fit year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 27 of its 122 complaints were filed by the end of 2018.
- Most reported problem: Instrument display blanks out or shows gibberish (38 complaints, median 44,500 mi).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 122filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 36,500miles, 56 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 34 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl FWD · 32 city / 37 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Honda Fit (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2016 Honda Fit most often report the right-hand instrument display going blank or showing scrambled characters, typically in cold weather, and several report fuel injector problems that set the check engine light and cause misfires. Less frequent complaints cover no-start conditions traced to the starter or engine start/stop switch, tire pressure warnings, and transmission or clutch noises. Many of the sampled complaints were filed between roughly 20,000 and 80,000 miles.
- Electrical system
Instrument display blanks out or shows gibberish
- 38 complaints (31%)
- median 44,500 mi at 4.8 yrs old (14 state mileage)
- filed 2019–2026
The digital gauge cluster on the right side of the dash (fuel level, odometer, trip and maintenance data) goes blank, flickers, or shows unreadable characters. Owners describe it happening most often on cold mornings or shortly after start-up, sometimes returning to normal after the car warms up and sometimes staying faulty for hours or days. Several report the dealer could not duplicate the problem or told them to wait for a recall, and one was quoted a replacement instrument panel. Mostly reported between about 10,000 and 75,000 miles, frequently in cold weather or after the interior cools down.
What to check: Start the car cold and watch the right-hand display through the first few minutes; ask whether the instrument panel has ever been replaced. A scan-tool check and a look at service records can show whether this was already raised with a dealer.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The fuel guage has stopped working at 35,000 miles. It is backlit but no information in the display. The car was stationary when the display quit working. I took it to the Honda dealer where I purchased the car and they changed the oil and reset the maintenance log and it started working again. When I got home, the display went blank again.”
NHTSA complaint #11315826, filed 2020-03, 35,000 miles“The digital display in the dash that shows fuel gauge, range, odometer, etc.. Will intermittently not display properly. It will either display improperly in a way that is unreadable, or the entire display will go blank while remaining backlit. It happens more often when it is cold out. I also noticed it initiate more during hard acceleration or braking, but it can also remain when the vehicle is parked after I have finished my commute. …”
NHTSA complaint #11290100, filed 2019-12, 72,000 miles - Fuel system
Fuel injector wear causing misfire and check engine light
- 16 complaints (13%)
- median 55,000 mi at 4.4 yrs old (11 state mileage)
- filed 2019–2026
Owners report the check engine light coming on, rough running, hesitation or delayed acceleration, and reduced fuel economy, with dealers diagnosing failed or clogged fuel injectors and sometimes carbon buildup on the intake valves. Some describe the car dropping into limp mode with several warning lights on, and a few note the catalytic converter was replaced before the injectors were identified. Reported from roughly 26,000 to 92,000 miles, with many cases in the 35,000-60,000 mile range.
What to check: Ask for service records showing whether the fuel injectors were replaced or cleaned, and have a scan tool read stored misfire or fuel-trim data before purchase; the published bulletins describe a warranty extension and a carbon-cleaning procedure for these symptoms.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I recently took my FIT into my local Honda dealership to address a check engine light. That day in particular, the vehicle had a delayed acceleration when I was hitting the gas pedal on a local city street'something it had not done ever. At the time of my service, it was explained to me that I would have to have a diagnostic test run to determine the cause. I received a call later that day informing me of a 'cylinder 3 misfire' that would require a coil, spark plug and fuel induction service. …”
NHTSA complaint #11350452, filed 2020-08, 59,000 miles“Fuel injectors prematurely went out leaving me in limp mode with 4 lights flashing on the dash at 10mph on the interstate until I gave up and pulled over and just got a tow home”
NHTSA complaint #11403338, filed 2021-03, 92,000 miles - Tires
Tire pressure warning light with correct pressures
- 9 complaints (7%)
- median 6,350 mi at 2.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
- filed 2016–2025
Owners report the tire pressure warning coming on repeatedly even when all four tires are at the recommended pressure, sometimes soon after a reset and sometimes on vehicles that had no sensors installed. Owners also describe early tire wear and a tire failure at low mileage, and say the system gives no owner-accessible reset procedure. Mostly reported on low-mileage vehicles, in several cases under 7,000 miles.
What to check: Check that all four wheels have working TPMS sensors and ask for the last tire-pressure reset history; inspect tire age and wear carefully, since the original tires appear in several reports.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Pertaining to the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) it is my understanding that if a TPMS sensor is removed from the car, the car is supposed to alert the driver via a warning light. My 2016 Honda FIT had all four tires and rims replaced that didn't have TPMS sensors installed and no indicator has illuminated in the vehicle. (it's been almost two months since the sensors were removed)”
NHTSA complaint #11171633, filed 2019-01, 37,000 miles“Once the low tire pressure light is set by the TPMS the vehicle owner cannot clear it since Honda has removed all manual and electronic reset options for the owner. With this light remaining on the owner effectively has no low tire pressure warning system. Correcting tire pressures and driving the required 60 miles or more does nothing.”
NHTSA complaint #11033446, filed 2017-10, 3,500 miles - Electrical system
Intermittent no-start / starter and start button
- 13 complaints (11%)
- median 43,700 mi at 4.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
- filed 2017–2024
Owners describe pressing the start button and getting nothing, sometimes with no click at all, while the electrical systems power up normally; a jump start or several repeated attempts sometimes works. Dealers have diagnosed a failed starter or a faulty engine start/stop switch, and owners note the battery was replaced first without solving it. Reported from very low mileage up to about 100,000 miles, often as an intermittent problem over weeks.
What to check: Ask whether the starter or the engine start/stop switch has been replaced, and whether the published warranty extension for the start switch applies to the car; try several cold starts during a test drive.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I need a new starter. I bought my 2016 Honda FIT used 5 months ago. It now has 43,900 miles. A 3 year old car with this mileage should not need to have the starter replaced. I tried 2-3 times to start my car but it wouldn't start. No clicking noise, no noise at all. I thought it was a dead battery and when jumped it started right away. Several more times it wouldn't start the first time but the 2nd and 3rd time trying it turned over and started. My neighbor told me it could be electrical. …”
NHTSA complaint #11175939, filed 2019-02, 43,900 miles“Car would not start intermittently for about a month. Several times it took over 15 minutes to get the car to start. Dealership states after analysis that it is the 'starter'. They said it is not the starter switch, alternator or battery. A new starter installed will cost over $700. This is happening to many Honda cars that I've researched on the internet, but Honda has no recall on this issue. Something fishy about that.”
NHTSA complaint #11342270, filed 2020-07, 102,000 miles
Buying note. A 2016 Fit is worth a careful cold start and a scan-tool check, since the display and injector complaints are the two most common themes and both are easiest to catch when the car is cold. Ask for service records covering the instrument panel, injectors and starter, and confirm any applicable warranty extensions or open recalls before buying.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 122 consumer complaints for the 2016 Honda Fit. 56 of the complaints include a mileage, and 66% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 36,500 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 94 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 11 Honda Fit model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 8 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system55 45%
- Fuel system20 16%
- Other or unknown17 14%
- Engine12 9.8%
- Tires7 5.7%
- Brakes5 4.1%
- Air bags4 3.3%
- Exterior lighting4 3.3%
- Vehicle speed control4 3.3%
Also reported: Wheels (4), Body and structure (3), Seat belts (2), Seats (2), Steering (2), Electronic stability control (1), Equipment (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Instrument cluster display stops working or displays gibberish randomly. This prevents me from knowing how much fuel is left in the car, sometimes for days. The instrument cluster is also the only place to see the odometer and keep track of mileage for service intervals. This lack of information affects my safety. This occurs when starting the car, other times in the middle of driving, on city and highway. It stays off or unreadable for hours to days.”
NHTSA complaint #11361039, filed 2020-09, 60,000 milesFuel system: “At only 37,000 miles, my 2016 FIT started having trouble upshifting and downshifting efficiently, and my check engine light came on. I took it to the Honda dealership, and was told my fuel injectors had failed, and there was significant carbon build up on the engine valves that needed cleaning. At my persistence, Honda eventually decided to do a goodwill repair since it was only 1,000 miles outside of factory warranty. However, this is a known problem with 2015/2016 fits and Honda should issue a recall for their fuel injectors.”
NHTSA complaint #11311634, filed 2020-02, 37,000 milesOther or unknown: “I noticed some insulation missing from my engine in july 2016. I didn't think it was important until I went to my dealer in april 2017. They said it was mice and removed a nest. I came home which is 3 hrs away and noticed much more damage the next morning. Out of desperation I put 2 snap traps in the engine. I bought this 2016 Honda FIT brand new in nov 2015. I'm not sure the extent of the damage but I have lots of chewed insulation and some wires chewed on.”
NHTSA complaint #10971235, filed 2017-04, 4,000 milesEngine: “Today may 3rd 2018 vehicle traveling on city street when all icons tire pressure maintenance a malfunction codes all the cute little icons are lit up on the dash the performance of the vehicle was impaired and then the whole system shut down as I'm still traveling in my vehicle moving. I came to pawn someone in my vehicle with a computer laptop hooked up to my controls of my vehicle I ran after him he left so fast he fast transfer data chords. …”
NHTSA complaint #11091681, filed 2018-05, 23,291 milesMileage when problems were reported
66% of the 56 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 11,000 and 55,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Honda Fit. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fit · hatchback FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 14.7% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating; 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2016 Honda Fit version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fit FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | CVT | 33 | 40 | 36 | $1,850 |
| Fit FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | CVT | 32 | 37 | 34 | $1,950 |
| Fit FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 29 | 36 | 32 | $2,100 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 15V697000Oct 23, 2015Body and structureCovers: Honda Fit 2015–2016
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Fit LX-trim vehicles manufactured April 11, 2014, to July 02, 2015 and not equipped with a sunroof. In the affected vehicles, the rear grab handle brackets were not manufactured…
Recall details for the 2016 Honda Fit → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 94 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10237806Jun 2, 2023Engine cooling. Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on with DTC P0300 (random misfire detected) or P0301âP0304 (cylinder misfire detected) due to carbon buildup on the intake valves may be affecting combustion.
- 10215486Jun 8, 2022Fuel system, Engine cooling, Equipment. "Service news article - When diagnosing a Fit within the above VIN range with a misfire complaint, start by doing service bulletin, 21-007 (Carbon Buildup with Misfire DTCs) instead of replacing…
- 10215234Jun 1, 2022Fuel system, Engine cooling. Service bulletin - The MIL comes on with DTC P0300 (random misfire detected) or P0301âP0304 (cylinder misfire detected). Carbon buildup on the intake valves may be affecting combustion.
- 10215233Jun 1, 2022Fuel system, Engine cooling, Electrical system. Service bulletin - The MIL comes on with DTC P0300 (random misfire detected) or P0301âP0304 (cylinder misfire detected). Carbon buildup on the intake valves may be affecting combustion.
- 10213565May 5, 2022Fuel system, Engine cooling. "Customer letter - On some 2015-2016 Fit vehicles, certain fuel injectors may not have been installed to proper specifications. An incorrectly installed fuel injector may lead to increased wear…
- 10208201Feb 18, 2022Fuel system, Engine cooling. Dealer Message - Today, February 18, 2022, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2015-2016 Fit vehicles. This warranty extension covers fuel injectors to address concerns of…
- 10208198Feb 18, 2022Fuel system, Transmission and drivetrain. Service Bulletin - Certain fuel injectors may not have been installed to proper specifications. An incorrectly installed fuel injector may lead to increased wear inside the injectors. This could…
- 10208197Feb 18, 2022Transmission and drivetrain. Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on with DTC P0300 (random misfire detected) or P0301-P0304 (cylinder misfire detected).
- 10208156Feb 18, 2022Electrical system, Engine cooling. Service Bulletin - 2015-16 Fit: MIL Is On with DTC P0420
- 10208155Feb 18, 2022Electrical system, Engine cooling. Service Bulletin - 2015-16 Fit: MIL Is On with DTC P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304
Other model years of the Honda Fit
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 37 | 7,262 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 2 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2019 | 138 | 11,400 | 6 | 5 | 33 | 60 · Typical | Rising |
| 2018 | 117 | 28,850 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 25 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2017 | 43 | 28,500 | 0 | 5 | 34 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2016 | 122 | 36,500 | 1 | 5 | 34 | 8 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 285 | 47,000 | 4 | 5 | 34 | 65 · More | Falling |
| 2013 | 176 | 28,900 | 10 | 4 | 30 | 58 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 113 | 49,112 | 11 | 4 | 30 | 40 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 113 | 66,611 | 11 | — | 30 | 28 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 184 | 39,975 | 12 | — | 30 | 66 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 287 | 60,250 | 11 | — | 30 | 87 · More | Falling |
| 2008 | 217 | 73,600 | 8 | — | 30 | 58 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 370 | 60,681 | 11 | — | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Honda Fit model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Honda Fit?
Owners of the 2016 Honda Fit most often report the right-hand instrument display going blank or showing scrambled characters, typically in cold weather, and several report fuel injector problems that set the check engine light and cause misfires. The issues reported most often: Instrument display blanks out or shows gibberish; Fuel injector wear causing misfire and check engine light; Tire pressure warning light with correct pressures.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Honda Fit have?
NHTSA recorded 122 consumer complaints for the 2016 Honda Fit as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 Honda Fit is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 55 complaints (45% of the total), followed by fuel system with 20.
Has the 2016 Honda Fit been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2016 Honda Fit do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 Honda Fit 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Honda Fit get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Honda Fit (Fit, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 34 mpg combined, 32 city and 37 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Honda Fit reported?
Among the 56 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 36,500 miles and the middle half falls between 11,000 and 55,000 miles; 66% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.