It is considered that subcompact hatchbacks are pretty cramped and best suitable for short drives but the 2017 Honda Fit can be an exception. This hatchback can easily accommodate 5 people including the driver without any issue. Also, the Honda Fit packs in a more than average cargo space making this tiny car a practical option for the buyers. The Honda Fit does however have some good competition from cars like the Ford Fiesta, the Toyota Yaris, and the Nissan Versa. As far as reliability goes, the Honda Fit seems to be holding itself up high and the NHTSA reports only support that fact with a total of just 18 complaints and 0 recalls making the rivals look unreliable with either more recalls or more complaints than the Fit. The $15,990 price tag does make it look like a value for money deal but let’s analyze the issues and complaints before we make up our minds.
User complaints and problems
Electrical Problems
- Dashboard – Various digital instruments like the odometer, fuel gauge, and the temperature gauge stopped working all of a sudden and this left the drivers unaware of the amount of fuel they have left in the car, increasing the chances of getting stranded.
- Warning lights – Users reported the warning lights to turn on while driving and failed to turn off even after restarting the car.
- Wiring – The wiring was prone to be destroyed by rodents which could cause electrical malfunction and the dealers claimed that this happens due to a soy-based wire coating.
Mechanical Problems
- Powertrain – The car started jerking after a routine transmission fluid flush and users also claimed the MPG went down post that. Users also reported the VTC actuator to fail way too early for a car made in 2017 and this could lead to the timing chain breaking, bent valves, and broken piston rods which could all cause an accident while the vehicle is moving at a high pace.
- Engine – Every time the car is cold started, the engine makes a loud rattling noise and vibrates no matter which position the gear is in.
- Suspensions – The users reported that certain parts of the suspension were not adjustable and were out of spec.
- Brakes – A user tried stopping the car and applied brakes but when the car almost came to a stop, it started revving the engine and wouldn’t stop even when the car had come to a halt.
Interior Problems
- Seats – Both the front seat headrests protrude way too forward affecting the seating posture a lot and could cause injuries if the car is rear-ended.
Exterior Problems
- Paint – Users stated that the roof paint and clear coat started peeling off and flaking.
- Tire – The tire was reported to leak air frequently and some users had to change tires numerous times in a very short duration of time.
Structural Problems
- Underbelly – The oil pan panel fell off and it was found that the fastening clips were missing. Multiple users complained about the fasteners being missing and this was a design flaw by Honda.
Recalls
The 2017 Honda Fit does not have any recalls yet.
Should you buy the 2017 Honda Fit?
The 2017 Honda Fit for the price it’s offered is a great value proposition and for a compact hatchback, it packs in a lot more space and performance than all its rivals and even though the Ford is priced slightly low, it doesn’t deliver the kind of drive that the Honda has. The Fit is designed to be ideal for a family and the crowd looking for a fun hatchback to drive and unlike its competitors, the Fit feels very practical and can comfortably be taken for a long drive which the rivals wouldn’t be able to do as well as the Fit. This is the car we would recommend and it definitely is worth the extra money over the Ford without a doubt.
