Hi everyone, first post here and I need some help/opinions.

I purchased a 2012 Honda Fit Sport in September of '12. Really like the car and had no issues till I hit 3500 miles. At this time, I started to get an annoying squeak coming from the front end when hitting bumps or going over speed bumps. To better explain the noise, it sounds like an older car whose shocks/struts creak when cold. This started on the passenger side first then migrated to both sides.

Now, upon hearing the noise, I called the local honda dealership to have it taken in for a lookover. 1st time: couldn't replicate noise so I took it back the following day to take a tech for a test drive. Heard the noise at this time so I scheduled to have it looked at again the following week. Upon picking it up, the service advisor told me that it was a normal noise (other fit's on the lot did it) and I would just have to deal with it. No, I did not test drive any of the other fits. I then decided to deal with the dealership I purchased from to get a second opinion. (First dealership is in the same family of dealerships and only 5 minutes from my house...purchase dealership is a 30 minute drive).

Anyways, after 6-7 trips to the purchase dealership, I am being told that the issue is in the struts. Exact wording is the fluid in the struts is the cause of the noise. They also told me this is a NORMAL noise on the fits and nothing can be done about it!!!!! They cleaned/lubed the struts which solved the noise for "2" days...now it's back! Needless to say, I am PISSED!

So, anyone else having this noise/issue since they say it's a "feature" of the fits? What should my next move be? Honda of America? Run it off a freakin' cliff!!!!! LOL!

HELP me guys!

 

Not sure if I'm understanding what you're describing, but my '12 Fit Base has weird sounds too. It happens when I start the car on a cold morning and go over a speed bump. It's not really a squeak, it just sounds like there's a layer of frost on the springs, and when I go over the speed bump, it "cracks" the ice (even though it's not freezing outside). I don't notice the sound after the car has warmed up though. So far, my car has been fine.

 

Hot or cold, rain or shine...it does it on mine either way. The noise is kinda difficult to describe. It's definitely not a cracking noise.

Here's a video that will kinda give an idea of what I am experiencing. I hear the noise inside the vehicle, not sure if you can hear it outside or not. It's not as loud or aggressive as that either.

and, I understand cars make noise (the brake click, fuel sloshing in the tank, etc.) but this isn't normal...especially with only 6k on the vehicle (as I said, started at 3500)

ETA: sorry...forgot link to video...

 

All Hondas are notorious for suspension squeaks. Mine would do this entering and exiting the driveway, especially on colder mornings. It's the suspension bushings. When I asked Honda service during a regular oil change to squirt the bushings with something, they looked blank and offered to replace them under warranty.

I got a can of silicone spray (avoid WD40 or other sprays that might damage bushings), and switched to doing my own oil changes. I give a squirt using the spray's straw adapter to the bushings and spring seats. No more squeal.

3M Wet Automotive Silicone spray worked.

edit: it's not rocket science, I don't know why Hondas service reps and mechanics don't offer to do this. I used to work in an automotive service center in the 70s (sears) and watched the front-end guys squirt bushings every time they did an alignment. They used the tire mount solution in a spray bottle.

 

I notice mine does it to, i have only noticed it while going over speed bumps. To me it sounds like a crunching noise.

 

Steve: I don't understand how they can just pawn it off and call it normal though! You would think that they would have figured out a way to stop these noises completely! The other issue with it is the spray only lasts a day or two until the noise comes back! I don't wanna have to buy stock in 3M cause of this car! LOL

Kirkuleez: Thanks for you feedback!

I guess I just feel slighted by Honda with them just calling it "normal"! Would have been nice to know this prior to them taking my $18,000! I have contacted HoA also to see what they have to say about it!

 

No problem and yes it is frustrating to have to wonder if something is wrong or going to go wrong. Keep us posted on what they say if you would.

 

My noise (that sounded exactly like your video) went away completely with a shot of silicone at the points I mentioned at the last two oil changes. The time between was about 8 months. It's more like a can of 3M spray every 3 years.

They just didn't hit all the bushings, and spring seats.

 

Thanks for the help guys and the info BUT I have moved on and away from the Fit. No faith at all in the dealership OR Honda PERIOD! For them to brush it off as just being "normal" is unacceptable...screw 'em!

and, I didn't purchase an extended warranty to spray my own bushings every other day! (not being smart to you Steve )

There are issues with these vehicles and I am not the type to just turn the radio up and let it go...Honda needs to step up rather then "playing" people!

Thanks again and take it easy fellas!

 

Hitting the bushings and spring seats at the time of oil changes (8-12 months?) is sufficient if the right spots are hit. Would you sell your car if the door hinge squeaked? I agree, it's a bit odd Honda doesn't have a technical service bulletin (TSB) suggesting this fix from a 100 years ago.

So what did you replace the Fit with?

 

Completely, huh?

Well I don't think OP is going to read it, but, a Mercedes E-class suspension bushing squeaks just as much as a 1996 Honda Civic or a 2013 Rolls Royce Wraith. The difference is, there's a sleeve around each of the bushings on luxury cars and they have more cabin insulation. The problem isn't the squeaking; it's the fact that you can hear it. You hear more of everything in a Fit. Aside from some lubricant or earplugs, I'd recommend accepting it.

 

As I mentioned before, lubing was tried numerous times and the noise would return in 1-2 days. This makes me think that our issues are different from each other.

Too answer your door squeaking question...no, wouldn't sell for a squeaky door OR sloshing fuel in the fuel tank OR the click from the rear brakes OR the slight tap from the engine! All things that happened from DAY 1 OF OWNERSHIP.

As for a TSB suggesting a fix from 100 years ago??? (not sure if sarcasm or not) Beats me but I didn't pay $18K plus an additional $1.5K for an extended warranty to be told that it's freaking "normal". That just tells me that you (Honda) have NO FRIGGING CLUE what the issue is nor do you (Honda) wanna deal with it! :thumb:

As for what I replaced it with...Mazda 6 from a dealership I've dealt with before! Any noises or issues with the Mazda will be PROMPTLY fixed without dealing with corporate!

fujisawa: Yeah, I'm still here...

Completely...Yeah, I would expect someone who claims to be one of the PREMIER manufacturers on the planet to solve a noise issue that seems to be a COMMON issue across the board (according to you)! LOL!

Funny thing is, if it's so damn common then why aren't we getting more replies to this thread? I've spoke with numerous honda owners (majority are Fit owners) who have had no issue at all with suspension noises! Hell, maybe they are crazy or don't know what they are talking about...who knows! I've dealt with Ford's, Dodge's, Pontiac's, Oldsmobile's and Mitsubishi's...never had an issue like this!

As for accepting...no thanks! Sorry if that hurts your feelings.

As I said, I appreciate the help! This is obviously something people can "deal" with...not for me however! I have an 8 year old daughter who rides in this car and I lack the faith in the safety of it! Call it how you see's it...

 

You do have a good point which is, it's possible that your noises are beyond "common" noises. I haven't heard them so it's tough to say. Certainly if you're getting a noise that's loud and you've not heard before, there could be something wrong. The worst case scenario is probably that you have a loose suspension bolt somewhere, which seats properly under stationary load but moves when the strut moves about. But in any case you don't need to worry about it any longer

You got it on making your own decisions! No, don't worry it won't hurt my feelings. Everyone has to choose their own cars right? For example, I have a rule that if I shut my foot in the door at the auto show, I'd never buy it. And although I like the way VWs look, ride, and perform, I'd never get one of THOSE because of their attitude that mechanical failures are normal and should happen on a regular (like every few months) basis. A friend avoids Mazdas because every single one he sees in VT has rust on the rear fenders - an issue for about 10 years, should be fixed now, but too late to convince him.

Myself, I do like Mazdas, and I also think that the dealers focus more on personal treatment. They sell way fewer cars, so it may be a little easier. I drove a Mazda3 and found it to ride & handle very much like a BMW, which was to say, a little rough but very controlled.

I like a few of Honda's offerings a lot, which makes it easy for me to stay a customer - the Fit and Accord I think are standout designs. But I actually don't consider myself a brand loyalist. If Honda didn't make the best option of the type of car I wanted, I'd buy something else. And their reliability seems like it's been going down over the decades. This is odd because, I would think that overall incidence of failures would fall statistically over time as design improves (so that could just be an impression of declining quality, vs overall improving industry expectations). Other brands I respect and cross-shop are Ford, Subaru, Mazda and reluctantly (reliable but boooring) Toyota.

 

i have the same issues on my 09 FIT, but i can only hear it when is hit the cold weather. yeah it sucks i went to the dealership and they won't fix it for me.

 

cool choice, a bit above the Fit market. Next car I'll give Mazdas serious look. They didn't have 3s available when I bought. I think Mazdas have hydraulic lifters (no clicking noises or periodic valve adjustments, at least from my experience working on my son's Miata).

Don't blame you. The noise is harsh and hair-raising (I think we have the same noise judging from the vid you posted). I don't think I was lucky in hitting the right points (and there are no specified chassis lubrication points) but it didn't take a lot of imagination. I don't blame you for being disappointed in the design and support Honda gave you on this issue. If mine wasn't solved so easily I would have been in for warranty work (that probably would have driven me nuts if they didn't address the issue completely the first time).

I think you had decided to get a larger car and this was the straw that made you trade in your camel. That's ok. Let us know how you like the Mazda (we're not infatuated with Hondas here: merely obsessed.)

 

Honda's are NICE cars...I've always wanted one! I worked with a guy who had a NICE Civic hatchback and tried EVERYTHING to buy it...never worked out though. I think if I would have went with the Civic, things would be a little different right now! LOL! The Fit's are so damn cool looking though... Shame it didn't work the way I expected it too!

Either way, I once again thank you guys for the help! I do appreciate it! There is an "off topic" forum here so I may just hang around.