Honda Fit 2007-2008: pros and cons, common problems

The Honda Fit is a practical fun-to-drive subcompact. It's surprisingly roomy and has plenty of cargo space. If you want to haul tall objects, the rear seats flip up, so you can even fit a flat-screen TV in the second row. On one of the forums, Fit owners were discussing the biggest size flat-screen TV that you can fit in the second row and the 50-inch TV was the winner.

Thanks to the elevated roof line, the Fit offers easy access and plenty of headroom for front and rear passengers. Front visibility is good; the rear view is a bit obstructed by rear headrests. The split rear seat folds down flat, providing an impressive 41.9 cubic feet of cargo space.

The Honda Fit is only available as a 5-door hatchback. The Fit is good on gas and doesn't cost a lot to maintain. This generation Honda Fit has been sold in other markets (as Honda Jazz) for a while, so it doesn't have the usual first-year model glitches.

Pros:

• Fuel economy.
• Maneuverable, easy to park, nimble to drive.
• Decent cargo space.
• Can last for over 200K miles with good care.
• Small tires are not too expensive to replace.
• Rear drum brakes last very long.
• Low maintenance costs.
• Easy to work on.

Cons:

• The ride is a bit choppy and the road noise is noticeable.
• Front seats lack height adjustment.
• Basic interior.
• Low front bumper is easy to scrape.

2007-2008 Honda Fit common problems: Common problems include minor Check Engine light issues (e.g., bad ignition coils, spark plugs), electrical problems, A/C issues, minor suspension problems. The NHTSA website shows a notable number of complaints about electric power steering for the 2007 Honda Fit. In 2014, American Honda extended the warranty on the EPS (electric power steering) to 10 years from the original date of purchase or 150,000 miles.
Overall the Fit is a pretty good car and is not too expensive to maintain. The Toyota Yaris is a similar car and is worth considering if you prefer a softer ride. Let's look at some of the problems more closely:

The engine running rough with the Check Engine light blinking repeatedly or staying on can be caused by a failed ignition coil. The scan might reveal the code P0301-P0304 (the last digit points to the cylinder number). A bad ignition coil must be replaced. The part is not very expensive. If the spark plugs are old, it's a good idea to have them changed at the same time.
The trouble code P0847 can be caused by a bad transmission 3-rd clutch pressure switch. It's a small inexpensive part. We found several videos explaining the problem.

According to the Honda bulletin 10-082, the Check Engine light with the DTC P1172 or P2A00 can be caused by a faulty air/fuel sensor. The recommended repair involves updating the ECM/PCM PGM-FI software, then replacing the air/fuel sensor.

The Honda bulletin TSB 09-088 advises replacing the A/C and rear window defogger switch if they don't stay on or if the fuse 22 is blown.

Several Fit owners menton water leaks in the rear seat/trunk areas during rain. According to some owners, better sealing between rear door metal and door trim solves the issue. This forum thread discusses the issue (scroll down for photos). We also found several videos offering different solutions to this problem. If water does get inside the car, it's a good idea to dry it out as soon as possible to prevent mold and corrosion.

Powertrain: The only engine is a 1.5L 16-valve SOHC VTEC. Transmission choices included a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. The Honda Fit Sport with an automatic transmission has paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.

Timing belt or chain: The 1.5L engine doesn't have a timing belt; a timing chain is used instead. The timing chain doesn't need to be replaced in regular intervals.

Fuel Economy: The 2007 Honda Fit is rated at 27/35 mpg city/highway (8.7/6.7 L/100 km). These numbers put Honda Fit near the top of the small car class for fuel economy. With a 10.8 US-gallon tank, Honda Fit is estimated to drive 292 miles, or 469 kilometers, on one full tank of gas.

Handling and Ride: On the road, the Honda Fit is fun to drive. It holds the road much better than you'd expect from this type of vehicle. The Fit's compact size and small turning radius make city driving and parking easier. The 1.5L engine is responsive. The ride is firm and the road noise is pronounced.

Safety: The front, side, and side-curtain airbags, as well as the Antilock braking system (ABS) were standard. The 2007-2008 Honda Fit received five stars for both the driver and the front passenger in frontal crash tests performed by the NHTSA. In the side-impact crash test, the Fit scored 5 stars for the driver and 3 stars for the rear passenger. For more details, visit Safercar.gov. In the frontal offset crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 2007-2008 Fit received a "Good" overall rating.

Photos:
Related reviews:
Honda Civic 2001-2005
Honda Civic 2006-2011
Toyota Matrix 2003-2008
Toyota Matrix 2009-2014
Pontiac Vibe 2003-2010
Mazda 3 2003-2009
Mazda 3 2010-2013
Toyota Corolla 2009-2013
Nissan Versa 2007-2011

What to look for when buying a used Honda Fit: The Fit base model doesn't have the cruise control; if you need it, look for the Sport model. During the test drive, watch out for anything irregular with the electric power steering, as it will be costly to repair. Honda issued several recalls for the 2007-2008 Honda Fit, check with Honda if all the recalls have been done. Check for recalls at the NHTSA website.

Some of the reported problems with the Honda Fit are with the electric components. This means to check all the features, such as the air conditioner, power windows and locks, rear wiper, the audio system and cruise control. Check for water damage/corrosion under the floor carpets and in the spare tire well. Check for front bumper damage since this car has low clearance. Read more: How to inspect a used car - illustrated guide. Before buying, have the car properly inspected by a mechanic. Read also:
What mileage is OK for a used car?
Signs of engine problems when test-driving a used car
Signs of automatic transmission problems when test driving a used car

Maintenance: Don't miss your regular oil changes to keep your engine in good shape. The owner's manual for 2007 Honda Fit recommends using the 5W-20 engine oil. Check the oil level regularly; the engine oil dipstick has an orange loop handle.
Change transmission fluid at recommended intervals. The owner's manual for 2007 Honda Fit says to Always use Honda ATF-Z1 automatic transmission fluid.
Engine oil change capacity (including filter): 3.8 US qt. (3.6 L).