Honda fit 2016 LX w/ key ignition
What could cause a new starter to stop working? If a car starter failed and replaced a few times, is it the company’s quality or the car the problem?

My original starter failed at about 70k.

• Replaced with Third party starter 9/11/2023. 9/22/23 battery stopped working, replaced.
• Starter failed and replaced 12/2023.
• Starter failed again and replaced with different brand 11/2024.
• 3/16/24 night - car won’t turned on. I could heard a click when key crank. After many crank the car turned on and I made it home. After that, car won’t turn on again. I tried to jump start the car. Not successful. It was my first time but I think I didn’t do it wrong because the supercap 2 jump starter could be charged up with the car battery.

Ever since the original starter died, my MPG has been low; never exceed 25mpg. Before the starter died, I never had an issue with this car.

2024
I had the auto store that changed the starter looked at my car about the MPG and also did a fuel injector cleanse (I think that’s what it is called). No improvement in MPG.

Took the car to the dealership about the low MPG and also had them do an inspection. The belt was changed and brakes checked. They found nothing other then telling me how to calculate MPG which I did several times. Each time, it matched closely with what my dashboard had been saying was my MPG.

Would a OEM starter work better than third party? :/ but a third party wouldn’t want their quality to be this bad right? Warranty says if parts need to be replaced under 2 year, labor is covered.

 

You might have the dreaded start button problem.

You can get your start button replaced.

I had mine replaced for Free at my local Honda Dealer.
.
I'm not sure if the free replacement applies now.

Check with your local Honda Dealer.

 

mine is a LX. I don’t have a start button. I have the key.

 

Sorry.

My mistake.

 

Does your car have push-button or keyed ignition?

Edit: Whoops - the other responses weren't showing when I typed my redundant question.

 

it’s okay. My fault too. I forgot to put down the trim and forgot entirely the start button.

 

key ignition

 

Have you checked for a parasitic drain on the battery? Possibly through the starter solenoid, dragging on the starter, lowering your MPG, and wearing out the starter?
I also have a 2016 LX and have not had any issues, I average 38 ish MPG, and no battery issues.However, I did buy it used with 149 K miles, and am at155 K in a year and a half.

 

70k is fairly early for OEM starter failure on key start models (LX instead of EX). Is this a heavy use / demanding conditions vehicle?

We've heard all sorts of problems with keyless start models - premature starter and start switch failure - but very few complaints of early starter failure in key start models.

Not sure about parasitic drain being the problem - that would chew through batteries faster than starters. You didn't mention going through batteries but I'm assuming that's not the case.

Given that you've had little success with reman starters, I'd spring for the OEM this time and see what happens. I want to say the warranty for OEM starters is three years, but that's going from memory.

Your fuel economy is likely a different matter. Keep in mind that GK5 is extremely prone to carbon fouling from the direct injection design. Your injectors could be fouled or close to it.

There was a fuel injector extended warranty for early 2016s to 150K miles if memory serves. My 2016 LX injectors were replaced under that extended warranty at 88K because of the dreaded p0420 code (raw fuel being dumped into the cat).

Search this subforum for details. Couldn't hurt to explore if your vehicle is under the extended warranty.

Finally, you might want to consider upgrading the OEM 151R battery to a 51R. Bigger battery but still fits in the battery compartment. As far as I'm concerned, it's never a bad idea to have 30% more cold-cranking amps available than the standard battery. No downsides I know of.

 

IDK. But I did have it inspected and no longer could identify what is causing the low MPG. I do no have battery as right now. The last time I had the battery checked was when my tires were balance and rotated, like 5 months ago.

 

I heard about fuel injector extended warranty but I guess that isn't the problem because when I last took it to the dealership for an inspection they didn't say anything about my fuel injector being faulty. I don't know if I was supposed to ask them but they surely did not say the fuel injector was a problem.

edit - forgot to say - I was told third party starter warranty is for life or something like that. What I would have to pay for after 2 years is labor cause. Getting a OEM starter is gonna be expensive. Labor is not cheap at the dealership. I think if my fourth replacement die, I guess I don't have much option but to go for OEM parts.

 

The dealer didn't say anything about carbon fouling because unless they inserted a boroscope for a peek, no way they'd know about carbon fouling, and no way they'd know about fouled injectors.

Most dealers don't want warranty work as they are paid less than repair work. They're not going to guide you in that direction unless there is profit in it for them.

 

Dang, I should have asked them to check it out when I was last there.

 

i had pretty much your problem but no problem with aftermarket starter...key start also...advice on bad luck and getting an oem doesn't sound like terrible advice....i think the fuelnjectors give a bunch of dash lites



70k is fairly early for OEM starter failure on key start models (LX instead of EX). Is this a heavy use / demanding conditions vehicle?
nope,,,bang on for me and KMS....lived the dream!...lol,,,mine was low kms....BUT many short trips...so heavy use

 

Do you mean a bad fuel injector would turn on a bunch of dash lights?

 

yes.................