Honda is recalling 141,000 Honda Fit vehicles in which a malfunctioning switch can cause the vehicle to overheat and catch fire. This issue may occur when extreme amounts of moisture from rain or melted snow flood the driver’s side master power window switch.
Honda is recalling a total of 646,000 2007-2008 Honda Fit and Honda Jazz cars worldwide after this defect resulted in the death of a car owner in South Africa.
Honda says that 2009-2010 Fit models are not affected by this recall. We are awaiting a press release by Honda and the NHTSA, which should clarify how consumers are to react to this news.
This recall is in addition to a later recall involving the same model/year Honda Fit vehicles for problems with headlights.
Does Honda sell the Jazz cars in the US or is is just the Fit recall that concerns us? What is going on with all of the auto recalls so far this year? Last year it was food; the year before that it was toys… 2010 looks to be the year of the car recall.
Fit and Jazz are the same vehicles with different nameplates. Fit in the US, China, and Japan. Jazz elsewhere.
My 2007 Fit has had the door locks repeatedly flipping to the unlocked position when it rains or has melted snow inside the driver side door. I kept locking the doors again and again on the way home in the last blizzard we got.
Very annoying. Who knew this could also cause a fire, or death?!!!
MY HUSBAND WORKS FOR HONDA IN FLORIDA. THIS RECALL WAS NEWS TO HIM. WE OWN A 2008 FIT. I’M VERY NERVOUS ABOUT THIS RECALL!! I CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR WHAT WE SHOULD DO~OR WHAT HONDA WILL DO FOR US!?!?! IT’S SCARES ME TO THINK MY FIT COULD CATCH FIRE WITH MY 7 YEAR OLD SON IN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OMG, calm down people… and the plane u flew on last month COULD have crashed! People who worry about what COULD happen annoy me, I own a FIT and am just glad they are going to take care of it… Relax! Or are u gonna freak out and worry that your gas stove COULD blow up!
I have a 2007 honda fit Jan 08 I had to replace the driver side switch. The window got stuck in the down position of course in the winter and it took a week to have the part ordered. Again this year the switch has broke. The first time it cost $200 to fix (was not covered via warrenty). I guess that I am glad that it broke again since it force me to look on the net for the part, and I found out that it is also a fire hazard.
I agree that people really need to calm down. I was surprised to hear that Honda actually announced a recall, but then again the fit is a fairly new model. I have a 2009 sport and am thankful it does not affect me but those of you who do own the models recalled, just contact your dealer and show your concern. If they refuse to help, then escalate it. There It seems to be very rare to it to come to a serious point. All I have to say is things to not always work properly or turn out the way they expect. It happens and just be thankful you are not one of those Toyota owners because the problem there, in my opinion, is much more serious.
I have a 2008 Fit and I’m not going to worry. When they get a solution established I’m sure it will only be a matter of taking your car to your local dealer for a fix it. They had to have a recall because some one was killed it is protocall
I have a 2007 Fit, and every time it rains seriously, the rear driver’s side floor develops a serious puddle. We used the shop vac after a big storm last week and pulled nearly a quart of water out of the puddle. My husband and I could not find any broken seals in the windows, and of course I was not driving with the windows rolled down, so perhaps the source of the water is the same source as what is causing this problem with the lock. Has anyone else felt the floor of their rear driver’s side back seat after rain and felt wet?
I am wondering if the 2007 Honda Fit SPORT models are included… Does anyone know? The Sport model has a few extra do-dads, but nothing too major.
Who do I call if I want more information about this recall? I’m new to this whole thing, and wondering how this works.
Thanks.
Does this recall include but not limit 2007 Honda Fit Sport???
Honda Fit and Honda Fit Sport have just a few do-dads difference….
Anyway, I am not even sure who to contact about this information to get more. Anyone know???
Thanks and Help!
I have a Honda Fit 2008. My driver’s side floor was really wet when it rained, I looked for any holes or anything that can cause the floor to get wet but but there was nothing. I tried calling a Honda dealer and told me that my VIN was not included on the recall so I asked them why did it happen to me, and they said they want to check it out. But I am concerned with the expenses if it is a manufacture defect they should cover it.
The Fit isn’t new. It’s been out for years overseas (from the US), it’s just that people in the US are just now hearing about it.
I own a 2008 Fit & a 2002 CRV. I bought them for economy & reliability. I have had some wiring issues with the CRV & spelled them out to Honda on a customer service satisfaction study. Honda has not responded to me on this yet. I wonder if this issue with the Fit is not a switch problem, but a wiring harness contact problem. I believe that Honda has a quality control issue with the wiring in their vehicles. Honda’s customers deserve a quick and intelligent response to this. There could be a lot of lives on the line here. A lot of lives were lost with the Toyota gas pedal accelerator problem, before Toyota responded I hope Honda doesn’t make the same mistake.
Thanks..
i have 2007 base fit .i have had problems with driverside power lock switch yes snow -raining doors may lock by themselves??? im sure honda will take care of it.ONE OF THE BEST CARS IVE EVER OWNED SO FAR 75000 MILES
I have a Honda Fit 2008 it makes noise from ignition switch before engine start runing happened several time and tires start kiking. Front seat drive makes noise.
Additional comment about wiring in Hondas’ vehicles:
Proper wiring is critical in todays’ autos with the wireless high speed microwave communication technologies that exist today (in Cell Phones, Iphones, Blackberries, GPIs, & other Communication Devices) & in future technologies. The wiring & optic fiber used in existing & future vehicles, more than ever, must be well designed, fabricated, & shielded against external interferences like ESD, EMI, Vibrations, Moisture, & other sources that could cause a catasrophe. The same or similar Specs used by the military should be followed here. I am sure Hondas’ engineers are aware of this. I still like my Hondas. Enough said.
Thanks
Hi HENRY KARAMIAN. I do also have the same problem with you. Main problem is after starting, my brakes keep giving screeching sounds coming from the rubbing of brake pad and disk. I had already change my previous plate which had lots of deep lines created from the sounds.
I called my dealership…just because, I would prefer not to have a fire in my vehicle and I was told there is NO recall of my 2007 Fit. I drive a Fit Sport as well. The service department knew NOTHING…
I too own a 2007 Honda fit and have nothing but problems with it. It started with the driverside window. The window actualy got stcuk and came off track the rubber seal holding it in place got jammed. Then I noticed the door locks would lock and unlock themselves mostly when it rains. The switch on the inside that allows you to lock and unlock the car has completely quit working. The only way to unlock or lock the car is the remote. It is very scary to think that my 7 yr old child could possible get locked in the car and the car catch fire just because the window was rolled down when it rained.
That is problem one. Now my steering wheel keeps locking up when I start the car. It took me forever to figure out what to since the Honda service department dosent seem to ever know what I am talking about and of course when I take the car in it never has any of these problems. The only solution I have came up with is from reading my manual which told me the power steering works off of a fuse. Most of the time the steering unlocks when I wiggle the fuse. I know it is not the fuse since I have replaced it. I am getting more concerned since it seems to do it 3 time a day now.
Just recently my interior lights have all stoped working such as my dome light and the lights in the hatchback area. Oh and the rubber trim has came loose aound the brake like in the hatch back area. I feel like it is falling apart.
As far as the recalls no one seems to know when the problem will be fixed or when parts are going to come in. I wish they would recall the whole car.
I have a 2007 Fit and I would like more info, I think Honda needs to check the break paddle. I have had my breaks done, and I really think somethink is wrong with the break paddle. I still love my Fit.
I’ve been wondering for a good while if anyone else has the same problem I am having with my 08 fit sport.. Occasionally when I use my remote to unlock the doors, my drivers side door lock makes this funny noise. The first time I heard it I thought there was a cat around or something. It doesn’t do it every single time, but frequently enough.
My most current problem: I barely ever insert the key into the lock (maybe a handful of times at most). The other day I decided I wanted to lock my doors that way rather than use the remote and my key won’t even insert into the lock. Its like its jammed.
I traded my 2007 Cheverolet Malubu on J an 9, 2010 for the 2008 Honda Fit. From the day I took it off the lot, I have noises coming from the front end or inside of the dash board, it sounds like a co mbination of a babbling brook, rice krispies crackling in milk and waterleaking. The engine light was also inm it took almost 1 month for Honda too get a part for hte car. When they returned the car to me over a week ago- the engine light was off but the dash is still making that noise. Now I have to call them again and tell them the noise is still there.
Is anyon else experiencing this type of noise in the dash, and it happens when I first start the car, happens when I m stopped at a red light, then step on the gas to go, etc…
We have problems with both the locking system due to my husband driving with the windows down when it was raining!!! I am very angry that this could have cost my husband his life!!! Also, OUR HONDA FIT HAS ENGINE Problems with spark plug issues that we have had replaced and the engine light keeps showing engine misfire. Hope they were out all the kinks in the FIT.
AS Stephanie said on February 1st, 2010 4:42 am
I also have a 2007 Fit as the second owner, I bought it in Sept. 2009
“and every time it rains seriously, the rear driver’s side floor develops a serious puddle. We used the shop vac after a big storm recently and pulled nearly a quart of water out of the puddle. My husband and I could not find any broken seals in the windows, and of course I was not driving with the windows rolled down, so perhaps the source of the water is the same source as what is causing this problem with the lock. Has anyone else felt the floor of their rear driver’s side back seat after rain and felt wet?”
I asked a Honda dealer 2/2/2010 to repair it, but they are fail. The car still so wet.. I am going to crazy . I really don’t know what should I do.
I used to owned a honda Jazz when I used to live in asia & I bought new. Personally I don’t like honda cars anymore, why? Because of the parts that honda & most (may be even every car manufacturers) have outsourcing to other countries, like; China, Thailand, etc. so today’s Japanese car/s that used to have a good quality & reliability and from there consumers are sworn by their so called reputable brand/s. By the way, the 2005 Jazz had a 7-speed CVT & it blew out on 55,000 km. So, I sold it a few days later after I had it fixed. It was a piece of junk! The CVT was very slow to engaged every time I step on the pedal. Why I bought it? Because in part of asia where I used to live, the traffic was very horrendous & I didn’t want to spend too much for a vehicle while I was only there for 2 yrs.
In US, I used to owned a honda prelude, civic, accord & even acura RL, but I never kept it more than 2 yrs. So during last year when I was searching for my replacement vehicle, I didn’t even bother looking at a Japanese brand/s vehicle any longer. I am not saying that the Japanese cannot make a decent car anymore, either. Like I’ve mentioned above, they have outsource some of the critical part/s. Yes, again most of car mfg’s are doing it and they just want to do some cost cutting to gain more profits, then their safety concern arise.
And some of the people that said, “oh stop worrying”..he/she probably work for honda at their sales dept. or he/she just bought the car & didn’t want to feel guilty about the decision that had been made of purchasing the car.
I’ll go back purchasing a European and/or an American brand/s vehicle.
I like the European vehicles, because they are stable on highway speed, they are built to go on an Autobahn speed, yes here in US we don’t have an Autobahn, what I’m saying is, if they can be very stable & comfortable on the Autobahn speed then you can imagine just how good & better driving it on a slower speed. I just hope in the future more American cars are built like the european cars. like Ford, they should sale more european Ford cars here in US.
No, I’m not a Ford fan, but I am a european’s cars fan & it doesn’t matter if it’s a Ford or a GM.
While driving down the freeway doing 80 last week the power steering in the fit shut off. I was able to manuver the car to the side of the road, turn it off, and back on again and have the power steering re-engage. Honda has been notified of this issue, and are aware of it having issued an internal bulletin, but are not recalling the part.
To the post above, all of these combined problems may very well link to a quality control problem with wiring, but it is my strong feeling that a company with as good a reputation at Honda should want to ensure that their customers feel safe an happy driving their cars. I’m not sure I feel either driving the FIT.
I have a 2007 Honda Fit Sport, and recently started hearing the ‘babbling brook’ behind the dash. I did some research, and one suggestion was to check the coolant. Sure enough, the coolant was low. Adding coolant fixed the problem. Some people had to have the radiator flushed to fix the noise so if adding coolant doesn’t help, keep that in mind.
I have a 2007 Honda Fit that I’ve taken in FIVE times to two different Honda dealer service departments for water on the rear seat floors — one time there was so much water when I braked suddenly that water poured under the front passenger seat from the rear passenger floor to the front passenger floor. I bought the car new in May, 2007, noticed water that winter (I live in Oregon!) so first sought repair in January, 2008 when the car only had 10,000 miles on the odometer. I’ve been so frustrated, I now use tarps under the door seals and newspaper on the rear floors; however seeing these postings and the recall (of which I’ve NOT been notified by my Honda dealer), I’m going to write to corporate Honda and the dealer service departments with copies of all my service statements and a bcc to the Oregon Attorney General — however, don’t think I’d want a replacement Fit in any event cuz the problem is much more widespread than I’ve been lead to believe.
I have a 2007 Honda Fit Sport and we just had a huge rain storm in New York. Now I have water on floor of the back seat – provenance unknown. I had my seats flipped down for a few days and the cushions (which apparently sit tight to the floor) got wet and began to stink like an old tennis shoe. This is what tipped me off to the problem!
I HAVE DRIVEN A HONDA FIT FOR THREE AND A HALF YEARS; I STILL LOVE ITL I HAD A FEW PROBLEMS ;LIKE THE POWER STERING’ HONDA REPLACED THE PART’ I PERSONALLY WOULD NOT TRADE IT FOR A NEW CAR OF ANY MAKE; I AM IN MY SEVENTIES AND DRIVE TO GA A LOT’ . IT IS THE BEST LITTLE CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED ‘ I PUT THREE PEOPLE IN THE BACK SEAT ; IT REALLY HELPS MY BACK RELAX;
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one having problems with leaks-and I’m lucky that’s all so far. I bought my 07 Fit Sport and then lived in Cali where it hardly ever rained. I moved back to Florida last year and a couple of times after a good rain, my car smelled funny, but I couldn’t find where it was wet. Until today, when I pulled some stuff out of the trunk and it was wet (it’s been a week since it rained). I had to go to the dealers anyways and they told me the leak comes from the spoiler-it’s not sealed properly. AND they can’t just replace the seal, no, the whole spoiler needs to be replaced ($$). I’m mad because I’m no longer under warranty but this is a manufacturing issue. From others’ comments, it’s obvious that this is not a fluke.
I’m not surprised that Honda is having this recall. My 2008 Sport is a fine little car, but I also frequently have the window open when the wipers are going, and noticed early on that water from the wiper swished right onto the switch. Nothing has happened so far, mainly because I keep my hand over the switch, deflecting the water from the switch. Definitely a design flaw with the wiper/windshield interface. Hopefully the new switch is at least waterproof…. What I want to know is if anyone else has had problems with a weak battery. Mine has left me stranded a couple of times now, mainly from leaving the headlights on and motor off while waiting to pick someone up.
I bought my 2007 Fit car in June 2006. I have had few problems or not problems at all. I have ever paid attention about the power switch and I have never seen anything wrong. I am very happy with Fit and I am not going to change the modell. I could driver for hours and my back is not in pain. The only problem that I have had is the weak battery that has left me stranded mainly from leaving the headlights on and the motor off while waiting to pick up someone like the comment before. I bought my Fit from Honda in Manhattan that went off from business. How can I know if my car is in the list or not?
I used to love Honda, until my 2007 Honda Fit spontaneously combusted while sitting parked in a garage on May 12, 2010. I’m still waiting for *someone* from Honda to step up & take ownership of this problem — whether the Sloane Honda Dealer in Philadelphia we bought it from, the Shadyside Honda Service Center in Pittsburgh that had “fixed” the fire recall problem 10 days earlier, or from the Honda corporate office. This sure isn’t the reliability or customer service that I expected in buying a NEW car from them not even 3 years ago. Since when does “3 year warranty” translate as “Talk to your insurance.” Check out these crazy pics of the car after its melt-down: https://picasaweb.google.com/mgborkowski/HondaFitPhotos512Fire?feat=directlink
Had no problems wieh my 07 fit sport untill i brought it in for the window switch recall then whe alarm starting going off every few hours and the air cond. blower stop working, I brough it back and they reset the somputer and said they had nothing to with my problems “give me 90 bucks before i come me to my sences
Matt, I bought my Honda Fit from Sloane Honda Dealership in Philadelphia too. I was not impressed with their customer service either. I have taken it in to several dealerships to get serviced and no one has mentioned this recall. Those pictures are frightening, but glad you are safe.
This is for Lynn Murtha, who posted about the water noise coming from the dash board. I have a 2007 Fit and had the same problem. Check the engine coolant. While the car is cool, check the engine coolant reserve tank and make sure it is filled to the “max” line. Then, take the cap off the radiator and fill the radiator to the top with coolant. That should take care of the problem. You will still hear the swishing sound for maybe a day or so after you do this, but it will go away. I hope this helps!
I have the base model 07 Fit, and had the driver side powere window switch replaced around two years ago. Never had any problems before that recall, and none after, and don’t expect to. It might be the same switch concern. I only have 115K miles on my Fit and I just got a X-Mas present, as I spoke to a fellow that has an 08 Fit with 275K miles on his. I am looking foward to a lot more driving with this beauty.
Listen people my honda fit is a 2009, with 22,000 miles on it, last year I lost power for no reason, honda fixed it and said it was a wiring issue and that they never saw anything like it beore. Tonight as I was driving across the bridge I noticed a flame from the reflection in the passenger side window, MY CAR WAS ON FIRE! for no reason at all the middle, right by the manual brake was in flames. Thank God I had water in the trunk for work, and thank god I was able to get it out, the fire dept, said that it appears that a wire frayed and started this fire.
You don’t want to go throught this I know GOD stepped in and kept me level headed enough to jump out and get that water, but had someone been sitting in the passenger side they may have gotten burned. The flames shot to the roof thats how high it went.
I am a honda owner and have been for 20 years plus, I have always trusted the cars but I am scared to death to get back in this car. Matter of fact I feel it could have killed me as I had my lighter and smokes sitting next to the fire and it could have been alot worse. My advise is to call Honda and make sure there is no recall on your car.
I know this comment was made over a year ago but, Christine, you made me realize I am not crazy! Thank you.
Christine on January 31st, 2010 1:28 am.
“My 2007 Fit has had the door locks repeatedly flipping to the unlocked position when it rains or has melted snow inside the driver side door. I kept locking the doors again and again on the way home in the last blizzard we got.”
I have had electronic devices taken from my car 3 times this year (2 gps & 2 mp3 players) from in front of my own home. The last one just after the big christmas snow storm. Both time I was sure I locked my car (because I always lock my car) but I still blamed myself (I must have forgot to lock it or dropped something on the remote). We live in a good neighborhood but there are punks anywhere you live that come out at night.
I am just so relieved to know that I didn’t leave it unlocked and that there’s a fix.
In addition, to the doors being unlocked after I know I locked them, the alarm no longer goes off.
I have a 2007 base model Fit and have had the recalls fixed by the dealer, but I’m not happy with the water leaks. I had the whole carpet replaced in 09 due to mold and a wet carpet on the rear passenger side. Water was coming in from the front passenger door and the dealer realigned it. I have been back last month with water in the spare wheel well. Honda sealed hairline cracks in the roof seams beside the top of the hatchback lid at my expense. Now I find that it is still leaking water in the same area again. I am suprised to find that there are a number of serious faults with this car and will definitely not purchase another Fit.
A response to “John” from January 31st, 2010:
There really is no need for you to be such a cynical smartass. This is a valid concern and people are right in being even overly alarmed. Just because you may not share the same sense of urgency with this issue doesn’t mean that everyone else should let it roll off of their backs. Try telling what you said to the dead person’s family in South Africa. Don’t be such a dick.
Has anyone else been in accident and the airbags failed to go off. I was in accident on freeway and slammned into car in front of me……chain reaction thing with three cars and mine of course was the last one………..no airbags deployed.
I have hugh bruise all the way across my stomach..from hip to hip.
Chest very sore………..oh and car totalled!
Anyone else have this issue?
Two accidents, once got rear ended by an SUV and shoved into a truck in front of me, the other I got broad sided by an SUV running a stop sign. No airbags either time. I was told that it was because the “sensors” for the FIT’s airbags are too low when a larger vehicle is involved.
I have a Honda 2007 Fit sport model and I can’t even count the number of times that I’ve said I love my Fit. I’m sorry to read about some of the other problems owners have had and wish everyone the best in getting things fixed. It’s a great little car for me. It drives well, is relatively easy on the gas, and has transported our family safely and comfortably through almost 50,000 miles. I haven’t had any of the issues mentioned above. I’ve fixed the first recall and will get the second one looked at soon.
Most of the users in here are not real Owners of Honda Cars. The last 10 or so were checked and verified false smack talking. Possible from Competitors trying to make the cars out worse then they are. I drive a Fit and I have never had any water in the back of the drivers seat and leave the car paked out side 24/7. The switch has never been a problem for me and the car has 65000 miles on it already. I have the 2008 Non-Sport model. The only problem I had was a faulty Vtec pressure switch which I fixed for 60 bucks. I own nothing but older Hondas and never had issues at all. My two CRXs have well over 286,000 thousand miles with the same engine. They should just make the Windows Roll up again like they did before. Problem solved. Less electronics the better.
I own a 2007 Honda Fit and for the PAST 5 months my car carpet keeps getting soaked after it rains. At first I thought perhaps we left a window open but after several times of rain we noticed the carpet would soaked especially in the back seat and trunk and also the windows and seats full of moisture. And NO I am not lying, I can even provide pictures as well. This car has giving my husband and I nothing but problems. Last year, we noticed how the steering wheel kept locking on us, apparently it was a mechanical issue, which the dealership fixed at full liability. Then this year my breaks kept ceasing, yet dealership couldn’t understand why. I ended up paying $500 to get that fixed after 2 trips back and forth. I swear, if this flooding issue continues, I will put HONDA on blast for it. It’s ridiculous!
In case you didn’t get any other answers, the wet comes from a plug in the floor missing. I had the same issue.
I bought a used 2008 sport fit and I loved it for two months or so then the transmission began to slip. Had the transmission fluid flushed twice but problem keeps coming back. Had a some kind of a patch put in which my mechanic said was recommended by Honda. The problem is back. My mechanic who I love told me Homda put out a some kind of service alert for this problem and their next advice is to have the transmission replaced!
Everyone I talk to says this is crazy on such a new car and my mechanic says go back to the dealer. What the heck should I do? I would think if there is this kind of problem Honda should be responsible for it. Any ideas or suggestions..
Has anyone had problems with the engine shutting down? I had this happen to me the last couple of years but it wasn’t that bad. This last year it seems to stop as soon as I put the car in reverse, and then when I drive it will shut down 2 or three times. I also went to release my rear passenger seatback and the clip on the top broke, I took it to a Honda dealership while it was under warrenty and the mech couldn’t fix it so by time I drove from Wisconsin back to Georgia it was out of warrenty. Thirdly my headlights flicker quit a bit as I drive the lights go dim kind of like when a flashlihgts batteries are about to die but then they get bright again.
I am taking the car in for the recalls this week and I hope they can find out a solution to my other problems, other than those problems I love my fit, and I am glad I purchased it.
I have a honda fit 2008 model and I am having similar problems my honda dealer can’t seem to solve the problem…how did you solve your problem?
My Honda Fit has wet carpets in the back seat floor. I then inspected the trunk and found that where the tire is kept is all FULL of water. I can’t believe it. I used to say I love my Fit, but now I am really worried cause it is getting rusty due to the water in the trunk and on the floor of the backseat. I am going to take it to the dealership and find out what the fix is.