First post. Just a heads up as I finally had a disturbing noise diagnosed and fixed at the dealer. After googling it does not seem to come up as a problem in the newer Fits so it’s a bit concerning this problem is still around.

I’ve been having this grinding noise on start-up issue on my 2018 Honda Fit EX-L for months, over 9 months. Honda dealer said they might know what it is and to get video, which I did several times and sent it to them over the months. The noise was infrequent and often only once a week or less, and usually first thing in the morning. Then they said I had to leave it with them at least overnight until they replicated the noise in order to figure out what it was and fix it.

I was due for an oil change and off work so left it at the dealer, I said until they fix it. The next day I got the call it was the VTC Actuator, a gear on the engine for timing the engine? He also said good thing I caught it early, low mileage on my car? I questioned this, why? Was it causing damage? He backtracked and didn’t answer so ...?

I did buy the 7-year extended warranty from Honda when I bought the 2018 Fit as I was worried going from a 1997 CR-V with no computer to this 2018 Fit EX-L Navi (I bought it Sept 2017) full of computerized gadgets and Navi and screens that could potentially go wrong.

Attached is a video clip of the noise and how it sounded.

 

No video clip.

I only get the startup grind on really cold days.

 

I did a googling and this popped up. I live in a warm climate area so I never had the VTC actuator problem.

"Alright, I am seeking some advice. I have a 2012 Honda CRV with the 2.4 L engine. Roughly 86,000 miles. Has that famous VTC actuator grind noise after cold start up. It sounds awful for a second. I have talked to a couple of mechanics/service advisors. Some say this is an annoyance but is not doing any harm. The Honda dealer will not replace the actuator because they insist that once it is replaced the issue often continues to re-occur. I am considering a couple things if I do indeed fix it."

 

The VTC rattle problem has been around for a while and was supposedly limited to about 2015/6 cars in this series. I don't think I've seen any mention of it on newer models until now. It has also occurred on other Honda cars. It is strictly a noise problem, there is no indication of any damage being caused. There are many past posts discussing this problem.

 

Hopefully Honda is being honest, it is an awful noise. Luckily, it doesn't get too cold in the winter in the Knoxville area, it's happened probably 10 times or less on my '15. It only did it once last winter. If it truly is causing no harm, it doesn't bother me very often …..but I hate when folks look at you like "WTF is wrong with your car?" … c'est la vie

 

It was never only on really cold days for me. I actually heard the noise a few times in the week before I dropped it off at the dealer and said keep it until you hear the noise and fix whatever is causing it. It seemed to be getting worse / more frequent. So we’re talking June in Vancouver, B.C. It usually made the noise when I started it first thing in the morning, but also occasionally after just parking it for a few hours in the middle of the day.

 

show them this, make them fix it

https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/3rd-...ml#post1418108