A thousand dollars for a new starter? No freaking way is that right. A starter failing in a 2015 doesn't seem to make sense. Go to another Honda Dealer for a second opinion.

As far as the push start button;
There is a bit of a gap when you push the start button. That's normal. I keep the push start button in until the car starter kicks in. Then I let go of the push start button.

 

That's what I thought too! Thanks for the confirmation I told my husband he can't just jam and release, but hold, no hold, jam the brake pedal, lightly tap, turn the steering wheel, etc., no dice, can't figure out what the secret sauce is to make it work or not work!

 

Turns out that only masks a problem with starter and alternator. Switch replaced by dealer but issue persists. Dash lights up like 4th of july

 

I haven't had to replace the alternator, but I did the starter in my garage without too much trouble. No dash lights before or after, so that's probably the alternator.

 

I had the keyless warning light a year ago. Removed and cleaned switch contacts. No more light. Then just recently car began not starting on first try intermittently. Sometimes took 5-10 tries, other times 1 try. Took to dealer and they said it had a stored code for button. I told them it could be from a year ago. They changed the button for free with an “updated part”. Next day started actin up worse and they messed up my HVAC temp selector knob. Returned to dealer and they said it’s the starter. Replaced with an “updated part”. 2015 with 42,000 miles. Seems premature to me. I have cars with over 100,000 miles with original starters. Honda says not a power train warranty (which is good til 11/21). I contacted consumer relations and when they called me back the next day, they said they were prepared to offer some good faith assistance but since I had the car repaired and paid there was nothing they could do. Made me feel even worse than just saying they couldn’t help. I may call them back and ask them to tell me how that makes sense.
I have had the door leak problem ( I fixed myself). The roof pillar dents are there and hearing about all these other problems I don’t think I would buy Honda again although I am sure most manufacturers have their own problems that fellow owners blog about but...

 

Mine died back in 2019, I paid $300 to have it replaced. A month later the whole started died and paid an extra $700 to have it replaced. The car was only 4 years old. I got a letter in the mail in Jan/Feb letting me know they will extend the warranty and I can file a claim to get my money back. I was super excited and sent them all the paperwork they requested. Never heard back from anyone. I eventually called them 3 weeks ago and they said they didn't have any paper work on me for filing a claim (go figure). Thankfully I only sent in copies and had the originals. Then I was told that they are only extending the warranty on the push start button and not the actual starter, that should have lasted for the life of the car. Very unhappy with them. I hope your started doesn't also die a month after the push button does. I will never buy a Honda again.

 

Mine cost around $700 to have replaced back in Oct 2019 and that was at the Honda dealership I purchased it from.

 

If you're angry about the company jerking you around on the warranty issue, completely understandable. I don't think a starter should be considered a 'life of the car' component, though. I've had to change starters on the Fit, on an S-10, on an old E30 BMW, and my dad had to change one on a Corolla. Even if the first two aren't examples of stellar reliability, if they can go out on a Toyota they can go out on anything.

Four years is a bit soon, yes. But it would take me a while to list all the other mechanical issues with the other cars, so I'm still happy with the Fit.

 

Just got mine repaired today for free under the service bulletin. The service writer said it was one of the worst they had seen and took him about 15 tries for it to actually start just to drive it into the bay.

 

Update: Fox Honda in Grand Rapids, MI is full of sh*t. They said it's not throwing any codes and they think it's the starter.

OK. I will do the starter my self and see if that fixes it. If not, they are going to be getting a pretty good cussing out.

More to come.

 

So I pulled apart the dash as in the below to get to the start button assembly. Pulled apart the start button assembly itself and, wow, is this thing cheaply made. It appears Honda (or it's OEM) only "painted" on connections on the rubber portion. These wear out. The good news is, the start button assembly is only ~$85, but it's a major PITA to get to.


Still having some starting issues after cleaning the start button assembly. Starter is next. Anyone have any good suggestions for a cheap/reliable starter?

 

This Thanksgiving, I planning on giving thanks for the fact I don't have a push-button start.


What's wrong with the e30 starter?
Mine was last replaced in the late 1900's (I still have the receipt from the PO) and it's still working fine.

 

Can anyone relate? My 2017 Honda Fit EX-L (just under 40,000 miles) car alarm started going off and wouldn't stop. Turned out my battery was draining so I had it replaced but new one was dead within 12 hours- during which time my alarm kept going off. After running a diagnostic the dealer said I needed my keyless module (B12D3) replaced to the tune of $1000. And that there were just 2 in the country! I ordered and had it replaced. I called customer service to complain and they said I might be eligible for reimbursement so I submitted receipts, but after 3 weeks heard back that this part did not fall under the extended warranty for some keyless starters. Then they thanked me for being a loyal Honda customer. This is my first Honda and so far I can say I am NOT a loyal customer by any means.

 

OK, there are more than a few threads on this topic (below). The end of the story is that this is a piece of sh*t part. Honda should do the warranty extension on this. With that said, replacing a starter is not a hard job and several folks have recommended the DB electrical starter that's $83.72. Fox Honda in GR charged me $85 for diagnostics. Wish I would have read the forums more thoroughly. Starter is on order and very hopeful it resolves the issue.

https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/3rd-...15-ex-l-2.html
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/3rd-...it-lx-cvt.html
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/3rd-...g-problem.html
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/3rd-...-2015-fit.html
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/3rd-...placement.html
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/3rd-...-problems.html

 

DB Electrical sent me the wrong p/n...

I guess you get what you pay for.

 

Right on thank you so much, I realize this is an older post.

 

So backtrack on DB Electrical, they DID send me the wrong part, BUT they did overnight me the correct one, which is now on foxy. I recommend them.

Access to the top of the starter for the 14mm bolt and 12mm nut is tight but doable. You need to pull a couple of 10mm bolts out on the wiring harness to give yourself some room. 17mm bolt on bottom required a cheater bar to break loose.

PRO TIP: Do the PCV value while you have the starter off. Normally a major paint to access it, super easy with the starter off.

All in, took about an hour. If you had better tools and smaller hands, might be able to get it done in half that time.

LESSON LEARNED: Don't bother with repairs at Honda. If you know what's wrong and are capable, just do it yourself.

 

Just had mine replaced for free at the dealer. Thought at first it was the battery in the key fob that needed replacement.

 

My 2015 EX still starts on the first try.

 

Me too, in May at 70k miles and 1 month before the 9 year limit. Perfect.