Quality Issues with new Fit
New Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 19
From: Canada
. I'll definitely report in once I get it... in like 3-4 weeks >_<
Someone that spends his life on FitFreak.net
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,116
From: Hawaii: relocated to Western Canada Sept, 2015
Never seen the freebie 6 yr. warranty posted that's its available on the mainland or on the island, except for you lucky guys up North!!!
Go to USER CP and change your location to Canada (no need for stating the Province) and that way we'll all know the origin of you future postings.
Go to USER CP and change your location to Canada (no need for stating the Province) and that way we'll all know the origin of you future postings.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,371
From: NC USA
Hi all, I'll start off by saying this was my experience, and if you had a different one, good for you. I haven't driven a Honda since my early 2000's S2000 (which was so bad it made me run from Honda for a decade), and I've pretty much only driven German since. So please understand my perspective.
The buying experience was somewhat pleasant. I drove 160 miles one way in pursuit of a White EX-L with no navigation. They gave me a nice deal, threw in some goodies. Unfortunately at the same time the car had some pre-existing damage, scratches, etc, and it was darker by the time I arrived.
I was able to catch a few things, paint missing from the bumper, a scratch on the B pillar. I was told at the time, the dealership was unable to fix the issues because they didn't have the parts, etc, and they would 1) order the part to fix the B Pillar and order touch up paint, and 2) they would arrange to have a dealership near where I live do the repair (160 miles north of dealership where I bought it)
Fast forward a couple weeks.
I was told that I could not take the vehicle to another dealership to fix, as it was a quality issue, not a warranty issue. That means I was required to drive 160 miles south, drop it off for a day, and then drive it back.
My work schedule is tight, so yesterday I took the day off work and made the drive. I was assured they could do the repair in one day.
I arrived down south, they took the car. Now over the past couple of weeks I noticed several things I'll list here:
1) the scratch on the B pillar
2) missing paint on the bumper (Sorry no picture)
3) long scratches on the front left headlight
4) rear passenger door did not align properly (jutted out 1.5mm)
This is post-fix. Hard to see but if you run your hand over it theres a definite drop.
5) all door weather seals were installed improperly (one fell off)
again, post fix, but now there's warping.
6) paint issues on the rear hatch, streak marks do not come off even after clay/machine polish. The streaks are underneath the clear coat. Also tons of little places with touch up paint on it already.
Middle of the rear hatch (Green towel is covering license plate
Driver side hatch
7) the rear driver side door scrapes against the driver side door when opened, and nicked off the paint in the lower corner
Door Closed
Rear door open
So I got to the dealership, told them of these issues, and found out
1) they didnt order the part to fix the B pillar
2) they DID have the touch up paint
3) I didn't report the scratches early enough, so thats a no go, even though it looks like somebody took a xacto knife and drew several lines on it.
4) they tried to tell me the door is supposed to stick out by design to reduce wind noise. The look on my face made them agree to try to realign it. They actually said "each panel is designed to stick out further than the one in front so its more aerodynamic". Yes. Not 1.5mm out.
5) I had already pulled off and put the weather seals back myself, so there really wasn't anything for them to do. I assumed they wouldn't give me new seals or a new headliner to get rid of all the buckling and warping
6) They said the paint on the rear is normal
7) The rear driver door is supposed to do that (scrape itself against the corner of the driver door)
Now I don't mean to bitch or anything, but I pretty much ended up driving 320 miles yesterday for some touch-up paint and a door realignment (which they didnt do very well, it still juts out about 1 mm). And guess what THEY ARE GOING TO ARRANGE TO HAVE THE WORK DONE FOR THE B PILLAR AT A CLOSER DEALERSHIP. I just about went haywire.
I come from German cars, like I said earlier. I have never had these issues with Mercedes and BMW. But wait, this car is a difference price class! I have never had this issue with the three VW's I've had in the last decade. My 2009 Rabbit (MSRP 17k) had zero of these issues. I paid 20k for this car and I guess I was expecting better. The paint streaks (there are about 6 vertical paint streaks that go all the way down the rear hatch) will bug me forever, and I tried to polish it out, and I detail as a hobby.
I am not really sure what to do about the door. Clearances look fine until you open the door, and then it very clearly makes contact. The headlight looks crappy.
Overall I am just not impressed, not satisfied, and what I was hoping would be a 5+ year vehicle is quickly looking to be a "sell before the warranty runs out".
The Honda people were nice, but seemed reluctant to do anything "quality" related instead of "warranty". I am not used to this level of service. I did not realize when I was given a free rental for the day that I would have to pay for fuel usage.
One last note, when picking up the car (which was freshly washed about 2 days prior), the car was covered with spots of blue liquid, I don't know what it was. Coolant, or winshield fluid. The car was horribly dirty with oil and fingerprints all over it (no free car wash after? really? Not that I want them wash the car, but they could have offered, or just not gotten my car so dirty). We also noticed the TPMS light was on after we gave it to them.
Sorry. Last thing really. On the drive home, after filling up the tires with air (who knew a 3 week old car needed air in the tires), I swiveled the driver side sun visor over to block the sun. Then it fell off. Literally fell off from the ceiling. I was so mad over the whole experience I drove home, washed the car again, parked it in the garage, and escaped to my SLK. I will drive that for a few days despite gas to cool off.
Sorry for the really long rant, but I want people to know mainly what to look for before you buy. Check everything. EVERYTHING. Assume nothing. I assume I would get a baseline level of service, honesty, and quality with a new car, but I assumed wrong.
* I obscured and did not mention the dealership because I am still pending things getting fixed. I also don't know if this level of service is considered standard Honda service and Honda quality, so I didn't feel a need to call them out. Yet.
The buying experience was somewhat pleasant. I drove 160 miles one way in pursuit of a White EX-L with no navigation. They gave me a nice deal, threw in some goodies. Unfortunately at the same time the car had some pre-existing damage, scratches, etc, and it was darker by the time I arrived.
I was able to catch a few things, paint missing from the bumper, a scratch on the B pillar. I was told at the time, the dealership was unable to fix the issues because they didn't have the parts, etc, and they would 1) order the part to fix the B Pillar and order touch up paint, and 2) they would arrange to have a dealership near where I live do the repair (160 miles north of dealership where I bought it)
Fast forward a couple weeks.
I was told that I could not take the vehicle to another dealership to fix, as it was a quality issue, not a warranty issue. That means I was required to drive 160 miles south, drop it off for a day, and then drive it back.
My work schedule is tight, so yesterday I took the day off work and made the drive. I was assured they could do the repair in one day.
I arrived down south, they took the car. Now over the past couple of weeks I noticed several things I'll list here:
1) the scratch on the B pillar
2) missing paint on the bumper (Sorry no picture)
3) long scratches on the front left headlight
4) rear passenger door did not align properly (jutted out 1.5mm)
This is post-fix. Hard to see but if you run your hand over it theres a definite drop.
5) all door weather seals were installed improperly (one fell off)
again, post fix, but now there's warping.
6) paint issues on the rear hatch, streak marks do not come off even after clay/machine polish. The streaks are underneath the clear coat. Also tons of little places with touch up paint on it already.
Middle of the rear hatch (Green towel is covering license plate
Driver side hatch
7) the rear driver side door scrapes against the driver side door when opened, and nicked off the paint in the lower corner
Door Closed
Rear door open
So I got to the dealership, told them of these issues, and found out
1) they didnt order the part to fix the B pillar
2) they DID have the touch up paint
3) I didn't report the scratches early enough, so thats a no go, even though it looks like somebody took a xacto knife and drew several lines on it.
4) they tried to tell me the door is supposed to stick out by design to reduce wind noise. The look on my face made them agree to try to realign it. They actually said "each panel is designed to stick out further than the one in front so its more aerodynamic". Yes. Not 1.5mm out.
5) I had already pulled off and put the weather seals back myself, so there really wasn't anything for them to do. I assumed they wouldn't give me new seals or a new headliner to get rid of all the buckling and warping
6) They said the paint on the rear is normal
7) The rear driver door is supposed to do that (scrape itself against the corner of the driver door)
Now I don't mean to bitch or anything, but I pretty much ended up driving 320 miles yesterday for some touch-up paint and a door realignment (which they didnt do very well, it still juts out about 1 mm). And guess what THEY ARE GOING TO ARRANGE TO HAVE THE WORK DONE FOR THE B PILLAR AT A CLOSER DEALERSHIP. I just about went haywire.
I come from German cars, like I said earlier. I have never had these issues with Mercedes and BMW. But wait, this car is a difference price class! I have never had this issue with the three VW's I've had in the last decade. My 2009 Rabbit (MSRP 17k) had zero of these issues. I paid 20k for this car and I guess I was expecting better. The paint streaks (there are about 6 vertical paint streaks that go all the way down the rear hatch) will bug me forever, and I tried to polish it out, and I detail as a hobby.
I am not really sure what to do about the door. Clearances look fine until you open the door, and then it very clearly makes contact. The headlight looks crappy.
Overall I am just not impressed, not satisfied, and what I was hoping would be a 5+ year vehicle is quickly looking to be a "sell before the warranty runs out".
The Honda people were nice, but seemed reluctant to do anything "quality" related instead of "warranty". I am not used to this level of service. I did not realize when I was given a free rental for the day that I would have to pay for fuel usage.
One last note, when picking up the car (which was freshly washed about 2 days prior), the car was covered with spots of blue liquid, I don't know what it was. Coolant, or winshield fluid. The car was horribly dirty with oil and fingerprints all over it (no free car wash after? really? Not that I want them wash the car, but they could have offered, or just not gotten my car so dirty). We also noticed the TPMS light was on after we gave it to them.
Sorry. Last thing really. On the drive home, after filling up the tires with air (who knew a 3 week old car needed air in the tires), I swiveled the driver side sun visor over to block the sun. Then it fell off. Literally fell off from the ceiling. I was so mad over the whole experience I drove home, washed the car again, parked it in the garage, and escaped to my SLK. I will drive that for a few days despite gas to cool off.
Sorry for the really long rant, but I want people to know mainly what to look for before you buy. Check everything. EVERYTHING. Assume nothing. I assume I would get a baseline level of service, honesty, and quality with a new car, but I assumed wrong.
* I obscured and did not mention the dealership because I am still pending things getting fixed. I also don't know if this level of service is considered standard Honda service and Honda quality, so I didn't feel a need to call them out. Yet.
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 75
From: San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Contact Honda USA (corporate) if you have issues with the dealer
There's only two things to say:1. Quality issues ARE warranty issues. The dealer who told you that should be slapped silly (maybe thay already were)2. Having inspected tens of thousands of parts and assemblies from Mexico I can assure you it will take a while, if then, to get that plant to 95% level of Japan. Mine weren't Honda parts but I've seen the mind set..You need to contact Honda USA for inspection by their proper rep, not the sales rep.
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,443
From: Dunedin, Florida
Marex, the seat belt buckles for the rear driver's side passenger and the center are designed to be reversed from where you might expect them. The passenger's buckle is inboard of the center passenger's. Try the inboard buckle (assuming by left you mean behind the driver).
New Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 13
From: CA
Marex, the seat belt buckles for the rear driver's side passenger and the center are designed to be reversed from where you might expect them. The passenger's buckle is inboard of the center passenger's. Try the inboard buckle (assuming by left you mean behind the driver).
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 229
From: Monterey
The center seat belt retracts from the roof.
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 227
From: Los Angeles
So I have avoided posting the final chapter of my experience because I wanted to give it time to sink in.
The car was at the Honda dealership for a week. They sent out the regional Honda representative from corporate to take a look.
Here are the results:
1) all door panels are "within spec". Doesn't matter that they look different, crooked, jutting out, spacing gaps, as long as the doors are "within spec" they will do nothing about it despite customer complaints. The large gap on the drivers side of the vehicle between the front and rear door which caused some excessive wind noise? They couldn't replicate it. Maybe because they didn't hear what it USED to sound like before they "fixed" it.
2) They did replace the inner rubber liner on the rear passenger window that was completely warped from the 2x they removed it.
3) The steering wheel gap is a characteristic of the car. Meaning it is not a defect. It was supposed to be that way. Not that there is a QA or assembly issue on the steering wheel. No, the part was designed that way, despite there being examples of nice looking steering wheels. They said if they warranty replace the steering wheel there is no way for them to know if the new one wont have the gap. So I asked them to keep ordering one until they get one that's built properly, because you know customer service, but that was a no.
4) They did do the bumper replacement (nicked the paint on my bumper in the process) but no real complaints there.
5) They were unable to replicate the problems I have with TPMS. Basically said it was fine. So I am stuck with a constantly on TPMS light that is useless because I pretty much say "hey the light is on again! pfttt tire pressures are fine!". I have come up with my own hypothesis. I drive the same roads every day (same freeway). Maybe the curvature of the road + curvature of the freeway + my driving = TPMS calibration issues? I don't even know why I have to spend time to figure this out. I've had several cars using this cheaper ABS sensor add-on type TPMS and never had this issue. Anyways I reset the light about twice a week now.
6) The streak marks on the back of the hatch were polished out, but they are still faintly there, quite noticeable when the car is dirty.
I was also told by the dealership to "just drive the car and try to enjoy it" rather than focus on everything that is wrong with it. Well I asked them to fix what was wrong instead, but that was a no-go. They also constantly referenced the other fits on the lot as having the same issues so it was normal. I inspected those vehicles, and while there were an unacceptable number of defects, they were better than mine.
So basically my experience with Honda corporate was... it didn't help much.
The contact person, Jonathan, was very nice, tried to be helpful, and was communicative. Unfortunately it is out of his hands when Honda rep says no.
He offered me a gift card (which has still not arrived btw), as compensation for my troubles, a week without a car, and the techs at the dealership putting over 100 miles on my car and giving it back to me without filling the tank (I filled right before going there). Advice I got was to check with other Honda dealerships to see if they would realign my doors without contacting Honda, because some might do it.
Overall I am disappointed in this vehicle, and would and definitely have warded off friends and family that want to know about my new vehicle (because they know it is so rare for me to buy something new instead of used).
I am debating how to rid myself of this vehicle without taking a massive loss, which is pretty much impossible at this point. I am normally very involved and I like to be a contributing member of the forums, but I have a feeling that I won't ever be an "enthusiast" of this vehicle.
Thanks for reading. I'll be around maybe.
The car was at the Honda dealership for a week. They sent out the regional Honda representative from corporate to take a look.
Here are the results:
1) all door panels are "within spec". Doesn't matter that they look different, crooked, jutting out, spacing gaps, as long as the doors are "within spec" they will do nothing about it despite customer complaints. The large gap on the drivers side of the vehicle between the front and rear door which caused some excessive wind noise? They couldn't replicate it. Maybe because they didn't hear what it USED to sound like before they "fixed" it.
2) They did replace the inner rubber liner on the rear passenger window that was completely warped from the 2x they removed it.
3) The steering wheel gap is a characteristic of the car. Meaning it is not a defect. It was supposed to be that way. Not that there is a QA or assembly issue on the steering wheel. No, the part was designed that way, despite there being examples of nice looking steering wheels. They said if they warranty replace the steering wheel there is no way for them to know if the new one wont have the gap. So I asked them to keep ordering one until they get one that's built properly, because you know customer service, but that was a no.
4) They did do the bumper replacement (nicked the paint on my bumper in the process) but no real complaints there.
5) They were unable to replicate the problems I have with TPMS. Basically said it was fine. So I am stuck with a constantly on TPMS light that is useless because I pretty much say "hey the light is on again! pfttt tire pressures are fine!". I have come up with my own hypothesis. I drive the same roads every day (same freeway). Maybe the curvature of the road + curvature of the freeway + my driving = TPMS calibration issues? I don't even know why I have to spend time to figure this out. I've had several cars using this cheaper ABS sensor add-on type TPMS and never had this issue. Anyways I reset the light about twice a week now.
6) The streak marks on the back of the hatch were polished out, but they are still faintly there, quite noticeable when the car is dirty.
I was also told by the dealership to "just drive the car and try to enjoy it" rather than focus on everything that is wrong with it. Well I asked them to fix what was wrong instead, but that was a no-go. They also constantly referenced the other fits on the lot as having the same issues so it was normal. I inspected those vehicles, and while there were an unacceptable number of defects, they were better than mine.
So basically my experience with Honda corporate was... it didn't help much.
The contact person, Jonathan, was very nice, tried to be helpful, and was communicative. Unfortunately it is out of his hands when Honda rep says no.
He offered me a gift card (which has still not arrived btw), as compensation for my troubles, a week without a car, and the techs at the dealership putting over 100 miles on my car and giving it back to me without filling the tank (I filled right before going there). Advice I got was to check with other Honda dealerships to see if they would realign my doors without contacting Honda, because some might do it.
Overall I am disappointed in this vehicle, and would and definitely have warded off friends and family that want to know about my new vehicle (because they know it is so rare for me to buy something new instead of used).
I am debating how to rid myself of this vehicle without taking a massive loss, which is pretty much impossible at this point. I am normally very involved and I like to be a contributing member of the forums, but I have a feeling that I won't ever be an "enthusiast" of this vehicle.
Thanks for reading. I'll be around maybe.
Last edited by Bigbadvoodooguru; Oct 24, 2014 at 05:24 PM.
Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 72
From: Westchester, New York
Man, that is very sad, Bigbadvoodooguru. Thanks for posting, and I'm sorry you had such a shoddy experience with Honda, even after bringing a corporate rep into the situation.
I've owned seven Hondas since 1990 and have had problems with exactly none of them. Nor have I had problems with Honda dealers. Maybe I have been lucky.
Best of luck with whatever you end up doing with the Fit. I can see why you wouldn't want to trust the Honda brand ever again.
I've owned seven Hondas since 1990 and have had problems with exactly none of them. Nor have I had problems with Honda dealers. Maybe I have been lucky.
Best of luck with whatever you end up doing with the Fit. I can see why you wouldn't want to trust the Honda brand ever again.
Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 25
From: Los Angeles
I am debating how to rid myself of this vehicle without taking a massive loss, which is pretty much impossible at this point. I am normally very involved and I like to be a contributing member of the forums, but I have a feeling that I won't ever be an "enthusiast" of this vehicle.
Thanks for reading. I'll be around maybe.
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 58
From: Pennsylvania
I can totally relate Bigbadvoodooguru. I searched for my new Fit, trying to find one in Milano Red, and when I finally did I was very excited, "I found my car!" I sold a vehicle of 15 years that I loved for this Fit, but it was simply getting too old. So I wanted to find a car again that would give me the same kind of emotion as my old car. However, due to some of the issues that I've had early on with my Fit, I have simply lost my passion for this vehicle. Now I simply look at it as a means of transportation. I hate feeling that way, but it's now just a car. I'll still take care of it as I always do, but I will probably never look at it with the excitement that I initially had. Well, good luck to you and if/when you're in the market for another car, do your research. I wish I had found this forum before buying my Fit. I might have chose something different, or waited another year until all of the bugs were worked out.
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 372
From: St.James Gate
That is the kind of arrogance is what got GM in trouble.
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 397
From: Omaha, NE
If you've got documentation showing that the dealer has been given the requisite number of chances to repair the car, I'd look up a lemon law lawyer and begin the process of getting them to buy the car back. It sounds like the recurring TPMS issue is going to be the one this'll hinge on, with the other stuff being additional weight on your side.
Motor Vehicle Warranty and Lemon Law | State of California - Department of Justice - Kamala D. Harris Attorney General
Motor Vehicle Warranty and Lemon Law | State of California - Department of Justice - Kamala D. Harris Attorney General
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 58
From: Pennsylvania
I agree with you Popeye, drive it to the Honda HQ and just leave it! It sucks, once you sign on the dotted line the car, and the problems, are yours. After you sign, nobody really cares. They get their cash, they get their commission check, and then it's "see ya!" Why can't buying a car be like buying any other item at a retail store?. . . you get it home, you find a defect, and you simply return it for a new one.
Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 293
From: Walnut, CA
typical term Honda is using calling it "characteristic" of the car.
if it's build that way and came out of factory that way it's normal according to honda.
if it's not mechanical issues good luck getting honda to fix it..
way to stand behind your quality Honda
i guess that's what you get for a sub 20k car.
if it's build that way and came out of factory that way it's normal according to honda.
if it's not mechanical issues good luck getting honda to fix it..
way to stand behind your quality Honda
i guess that's what you get for a sub 20k car.
Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 293
From: Walnut, CA
I have found only one issue with my wife's new White Orchid Pearl EX-L with Navi. The cover in the trunk area is collapsed over the right shock tower. The left appears to have some support under it. I tried lifting it back out with a thin wire but it will still collapse back down if anything hits it.
Should there be some sort of support in that location? Anyone else have that problem? Anyone willing to poke around on theirs to see if it will also collapse?
Should there be some sort of support in that location? Anyone else have that problem? Anyone willing to poke around on theirs to see if it will also collapse?
the side panel is made of this crappy felt / fabric type material with no structural support behind it.
is it defect? no
it's just poor quality material used. They should have used a hard plastic panels
Last edited by kenji815; Oct 27, 2014 at 08:32 PM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 84
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
VIN Numbers in Canada
Gents / Ladies... I am interested in two models (one yet to arrive) up here (Both EX MT) and their VIN numbers / manufacture dates are as follows:
26 Sept 14 with the VIN 102800
8 Oct 14 with the VIN 103706
Does the number at the end e.g. 102864 and 103708 show the production order ? all other comments I have seen here the max VIN number seems to be 30,000 - these are in the 100,000
26 Sept 14 with the VIN 102800
8 Oct 14 with the VIN 103706
Does the number at the end e.g. 102864 and 103708 show the production order ? all other comments I have seen here the max VIN number seems to be 30,000 - these are in the 100,000
Last edited by trashercan; Oct 28, 2014 at 11:40 AM.