I'm planning to replace the front struts and rear shocks on my 2017 and I'm finding that most vendors list a part for rear shocks ONLY on 2015-2016 MY. I've even checked manufacturer websites (KYB, Bilstein) and neither have part listings for 2016-2020 Fit rear shocks (although Bilstein has a complete suspension kit that includes rear shocks). My main question is -- will a 2015 MY rear shock work on a 2017 MY? My secondary question is -- uhh, what's up with this?

I know I could get the rears from the dealership but list price is almost $180 per and I'd much rather spend less on aftermarket shock absorbers. The OE PN for 2015-16 MY is 52611-T5R-A02 vs 2017+ MY 52611-T5R-A51, however they look "identical" in the parts blowout diagrams.

 

Not sure why it's like that in the system, but I noticed the same issue when ordering my HFP (Honda Factory Performance) setup from Honda.
My FIT is a 2016, but the kit was meant for newer FITs.
Regardless, the local Honda dealership had no issues installing the kit.

 

Awesome, all I was really hoping to get out of this thread was somebody to confirm that they’re interchangeable so THANKS I was impatient and already put in my RockAuto order this morning so I’m glad to know the 2015 shocks I ordered should work. Interestingly, even though Honda shows same part number for 2015-16, RockAuto has a part listing for 2015 but no listing for 2016…so strange.

 

Please follow up on how install goes. I've wondered if the other years of the generation will work. My local dealer wants $225 per rear shock. My '16 with only 51,000 miles has started to ride like a go-cart. Thanks!

 

Honda’s parts database shows 2015 and 2016 MY as having same part number for rear shocks so you should be able to buy any 2015 aftermarket shock without any compatibility concerns. I’ll be sure to update regardless. My ‘17 has almost 150k miles on the original shocks and struts…as well as lowering springs that have been installed since under 20k miles. So, yeah, they’ve been due for replacement for a while.

 

Looking at GK OE suspension wise... The primary key difference comes down to damper valving rates between the 2015/2016 range and 2017 to 2020 range. Front springs seen a similar treatment as well but differentiate one step further by taking the equipped transmission into play, that being one pair for CVT and another pair for M/T. Rear springs remained shared between the two transmission options for the previously mentioned year ranges above.

The damper bodies themselves are indeed identical to the older counterparts and are physically interchangeable.

 

To update: I just replaced the rear shocks on my 2017 with KYB Excel-G replacement shocks made for a 2015. No issues, side by side comparison of the shocks are physically the same. The design for the upper bushing appears to be different so I just reused the original bushings/bump stops/dust covers. Rides great now.