When looking for a cheap subcompact car worth buying, the Honda Fit is often included among those worthy of mentioning. Its twin, the Honda Jazz is sold throughout Europe and Asia as well as the hybrid Honda Jazz Crosstar featuring two-motor hybrid technology. The Honda Fit is more or less a more affordable alternative to the Honda Civic hatchback, which was picked best over the Mazda 3 by MotorTrend in 2019.

Sadly, the new fourth-generation Fit may not be sold in the United States due to a 17 percent drop in sales in 2019. Nevertheless, despite many of the improvements seen in the 2018 through 2020 Honda Fit models, owners of the 2015 Honda Fit hated even sitting in it. Let’s go over some of the major complaints drivers reported concerning the 2015 Honda Fit, especially for those considering buying a pre-owned Fit.

The Fit fell from fab to drab

David Undercoffler of the Los Angeles Times wrote: “The Honda Fit was easily the best subcompact on the market—great fun to drive and a deft mix of efficiency, interior space and value. Then Honda discovered that fun doesn’t sell.” Honda managed to suck “out all the joy from the car’s handling,” Undercoffler continued. Redesign flaws in the 2015 Fit resulted in it being outsold by other cars of its class like the Hyundai Accent, Ford Fiesta, and Chevy Sonic. 

The 2015 Honda Fit marked the first model year for the third generation. Thanks to erroneous redesign concepts, the third generation of Honda Fit would be mired in negative reviews. Major drawbacks reported by drivers included how the car felt on the road; even though it was supposed to look sporty, drivers complained that the Fit drove “too rough,” Undercoffler further wrote in his article.

Nonetheless, the Fit wasn’t always that bad. The very first model of Honda Fit (2002) had only one issue drivers complained of: the engine ran rough. The 2007 Honda Fit was the second-worst model year to the 2015 model with steering problems being at the top of the list, engine problems running a close second, and interior accessory problems coming in at third-place. Amazingly, there were approximately 14 additional complaints of problems with the transmission, the body, the electrical system, the windows (including the windshield), the air conditioning and heating system, among other things.

Sporty looks and nothing much else

Between 2008 and 2014, complaints decreased with the 2014 Fit being the best year since 2002. Then came the 2015 Fit, which had four recalls filed against it, including “Improper Rear Grab Rail Bracket/FMVSS 214/226” (over 25,300 affected), “Transmission Software May Result In Pulley Damage” (over 143,600 affected), “Plug Top Ignition Coil Damage” (over 17,400 affected), and “Incorrect A-Pillar Cover Installed” (over 6,000 affected).

Other issues that plagued the 2015 Honda Fit include one investigation, 135 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), and countless complaints about being extremely uncomfortable to drive (the No. 1 complaint).

Honda Fit safety ratings

According to the Chicago Tribune, “The Honda Fit and Fiat 500, made by No. 3 U.S. automaker Chrysler Group LLC, were the worst performers” in an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash test. “Only one of 11 mini cars tested by the IIHS won an overall ‘Acceptable’ rating in the so-called small overlap front crash test, the Chevrolet Spark made by General Motors Co.”

However, in all fairness, most people accept the fact that most mini cars suffer a safety disadvantage due to their small, sporty size. If only it drove a lot better. That is why a huge market for aftermarket performance upgrades for the 2015 Honda Fit exist, including transmissions, cooling systems, better engine components, performance chips, improved air intake systems, suspension upgrades, better brakes, improved exhaust systems, among others.