I'm looking for a small car and wanted to check here if the 2020 model is a good and reliable one to buy. I have seen a lot of posts about water leaks and other quality issues on the vehicles that have their VIN starting with 3.
Have those issues been sorted out? I want a car that will last at least 100,000 miles with good maintenance and gentle driving.
Thanks so much in advance for any help!

 

I can think of four or five problem areas:

1. Fuel injector / rail assembly. Replaced under warranty if it misbehaves, but many fail just out of warranty. Newer redesign hasn't helped. Easily the most expensive issue to fix, as the injectors have to be replaced in quad-matched sets (can't buy just one). $2-3 k typical.

2. Starters & start switches on pushbutton start models. I still suspect that the circuit design is inadequate to buffer the load at startup, and as a result, switches and starters both go. Sometimes when one goes, it's ascribed to the other. Honda has just started goodwilling repair of the start switch if it's found to be at fault from some other posts here.

3. Water leaks as you've noted. Door leaks, sunroof leaks, hatch leaks. Midcycle refresh seems to have exacerbated the problem, esp. in the doors.

4. VTC actuator. Makes a horrible grinding noise on very cold start (mine does this at 70k). Doesn't harm the engine but sounds horrible for 1/2 sec. Some folks here are having theirs replaced.

5. Now fuel pumps are an issue with the later models. Recall issued if memory serves.

If it weren't for the injector / rail issues, it might not be so bad. But does anyone here want to pony up $2-3k just for that? I certainly don't. So my recommendation is don't buy.

 

FWIW, Maybe I have been lucky. I drive my '17 CVT Fit moderately, rarely stress it out. Mostly 70K highway miles, not a single problem. Change oil regularly, replaced coolant and CVT trans fluid. Original brakes and fluid. From posts, it looks like the '15 got a bad deal.

 

Every car from every manufacturer has these kinds of problems to a greater or lessor degree and I'm not going to get into discussing them. I'm generally happy with my Fit but I wouldn't recommend buying a new one for a totally different reason. Honda has discontinued the Fit as of the 2020 model year in North America. If you are looking for a long term car I wouldn't recommend buying anything that has been discontinued which might cause parts or service problems down the road. Look for something which is still being manufactured and is likely to continue being manufactured for many years into the future.

 

While I mostly agree, I think issues would only arise when a complete brand is being discontinued (i.e. Saab, Delorean etc.)
In regards to the Fit, it's only a single model from the parent company Honda and the Fit shares some components with other Honda offerings (alternators, starters, engines etc.)
Also, the Fit is still being offered in other world markets, so overall, I don't think it'll be much of a long term issue.

 

But the Fit's parts (1.5L engine, CVT, and other bits) are interchangeable so parts will be available for at least 10 years (US Gov'mint mandate).

 

Honda promises to have every single spare part available for a minimum of 15 years after production stops. They will restock parts in high demand long after that. I'm told more critical and commonly ordered parts for the CB750 are still being made.

 

I've got about ~120k miles on my 2017 LX 6-speed at this point. In this time regular oil&filter changes, premium fuel only, and plugs at around 95k miles for good measure. Not a single issue, and still hits v-tec happily.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I test drove one and really liked the car. It is so roomy from inside.
Will be shopping for a good deal!

 

I appreciate this thread!

I am new and purchasing a 2020 EX in the next couple of weeks. This was actually super insightful for what I am getting into.

 

Just bought a 2020 silver Honda FIT EX - unfortunately could not find an EX-L; I'm now trying to find a custom fit sun shade and floor mats, after market. Any suggestions?

 

Traded in my 2010 Fit basic for a dealer demo model 2020 EX. 2010 had apx 140K and needed a new AC compressor. Probably the most reliable car I've had. Getting weather Teach floor mats and cargo mat, pretty much standard for my vehicles. Purchased sun visor from Amazon.

 

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