2007 Honda Fit: sudden loss of power

Filed Jul 23, 2024 · Body, Steering · 62,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2007 Honda Fit. The contact stated that the vehicle recently lost power steering functionality while pulling into the driveway. Additionally, the contact stated while the vehicle was being serviced by an independent mechanic, the mechanic informed the contact that the subframe was rusted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed due to sub frame rust; however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be diagnosed due to the severe rust. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance because the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jun 26, 2017 · Transmission · 133,000 miles · IL

Vehicle in motion on street. Right front axle broke. Lost power, clunking noise. Required tow and replacement of axle.

Filed Jun 26, 2017 · Transmission · IL

Vehicle in motion on street. Left front axle broke. Lost power, clunking noise. Required tow and replacement of axle.

Filed Jul 24, 2016 · Engine · 75,000 miles · CO

Repeated engine misfires causing vehicle to die unexpectedly. Since late 2013 (approx. 75,000 miles), the engine functions erratically and all cylinders have on various occasions registered engine misfires, resulting in the vehicle dying unexpectedly - once nearly leading to an accident when it died as I pulled out into traffic. I have tried - unsuccessfully, using two different mechanics over nearly three years - to resolve the problem, but it persists, despite swapping engine coils in and out, adjusting the idle, and other proposed (but unsuccessful) solutions. Sometimes the "check engine" light comes on, at least giving me some warning, but often it does not. The problem mainly happens when the car is first turned on after sitting for a while, but it is unpredictable: occasionally this problem happens in traffic, after it has been driven for a while. Because the problem continues, and endangers my safety, I went online to seek help, and uncovered many other honda fit owners plagued by this same issue, who had logged their complaints at www.fitfreak.net, so I know this is not a fluke; it's a common problem with the honda fit. I'm attaching invoices documenting the attempts to fix the vehicle. Sometimes, swapping the coils fixes the problem for a few days, but it always comes back. The widespread nature of this problem leads me to think something is fundamentally wrong with the fit engine, and that honda should recall the vehicle to repair the issue. Unexpectedly losing power, and coming to a halt in traffic, is scary. If I could afford to buy a different vehicle, I would. Please investigate! Note: to the question "when did this happen?" I entered the approx. Date the problem began... But it has happened at least 4 times per week, since december 2013 (for 2.5 years!)

Filed Jun 11, 2014 · Steering · 60,000 miles · CO

Loss of power steering. It was parked the first time it happened, in 2011. It didn't happen again for a couple years. Now it has happened several times in the last 24 hours, on 06/10/2014. Mostly while parked/idle. Once while in traffic. I live in the mountains on a windy road. This is very dangerous! Honda should issue a recall. I have read about their service bulletin on the issue (replacing eps control unit.)

Filed Jun 2, 2013 · Engine · 84,000 miles · MD

On cold mornings (<~50 f) the vehicle starts fine but has a rough idle. When stopping at a stop sign ~1/4 mile from my home the car will lose engine power and sometimes stall (once in the middle of a oncoming traffic). Once the cold engine light goes away (after a few minutes of driving) the stalling/lose of power goes away. There is no check engine light after stalling and the car produces no diagnostic codes.

Filed Dec 27, 2012 · Brakes, Engine · 35,000 miles · PA

Accelerated out of an intersection, from a stop at a stop sign, car lost power, steering...coasted across intersection to a stop. Called for a tow. While waiting, attempted to start car-it started. Drove home and had it towed to dealer, examined for several days, could not find a problem to fix. Same problem just occurred while car was in motion driving at approximately 30 miles per hour. Car suddenly lost steering/power. Got car to side of road. Again, it restarted on its own after a few minutes. Weather conditions cold and dry.

Filed Oct 4, 2012 · Steering · IN

While driving my car across a busy intersection, I was wanting to turn left and in doing so, the power steering went out of the car and I headed right into oncoming traffic. I was unable to re-attain power steering and had to get my car pushed into a parking lot. This is the third time I have lost power steering (first time while driving in a busy intersection). I no longer feel safe driving my car as it had the potential to be a very dangerous incident. I have read on multiple websites that this has been an issues for honda fits but there has still not been a recall issued. I know that I feel unsafe now in my own car, something I would never want anyone to feel. This needs to be issued as a recall to ensure that no injuries are sustained due to this occurring. I have taken the car to the dealership, however they are not showing any identification code that the incident occurred. Due to the fact that this has happened on multiple occasions and there is a service bulletin out, it is only right to issue a recall and ensure everyone's safety on the road.

Filed Jan 14, 2012 · Steering · 28,838 miles · OH

I have a 2007 honda fit sport. The steering light in the dash came on and I lost powering steering and had to drive my car home in snowy hazardous conditions. It was very difficult to maneuver my car home I was afraid I was going to have an accident. I drove very slow and cautious but I got home safely. I got home and told my husband and son to look at my car. I turned the car off and when they turned it back on, the steering light turned off and I had power steering again. The next day I started my car and the light was on again and I turned the ignition off and turned it back on and the light went away and power steering came back. I was fortunate this time I didn't have to drive it without power steering. We did some research and found that honda bulletin 09-043 and found multiple people have had this problem. The bulletin said that all 2007 fits were effected and that it is the eps (electronic power steering) unit. I am afraid that I will be driving on the highway and this may happen again and this may cause an accident. I am afraid to drive my car and I think honda should have a voluntary recall on this part as it is very expensive. I was quoted by the dealer for the part only was $734.00 not including labor. I believe this is a high priority safety issue and should be acted upon immediately by the federal safety agency.

Filed Aug 10, 2011 · Steering · 34,900 miles · NY

About three weeks ago, while my wife was driving to work, shortly after leaving our home, the steering wheel became extremely rough and started to shake the car violently through a turn and the eps malfunction indicator came on. She turned the car off and back on again and the issue remedied itself and the eps light turned off. This past weekend, as I was driving the car, the same issue presented itself. This time, however, the unexpected loss of power steering caused me to veer into opposing traffic. Luckily, other drivers in the opposing lane were able to respond quickly and avert an accident. I researched this issue online, including on popular honda-specific forums, which I am a member of, such as honda-tech.com and fitfreak.net, as well as general auto forums such as on edmunds.com. It became apparent that this is a common issue among owners of honda fits, with some owners stating that this occurs 1-2 times a month. Upon further research, I found honda technical service bulletin 09-043, stating symptoms of 'the steering feels heavier than normal,' a euphemism for the power steering failing'a very dangerous occurrence, which I am disappointed that honda did not issue a full safety recall for, and which we had to find out the hard/dangerous way that this is an issue with our vehicle.

Filed Nov 5, 2010 · Electrical, Steering · 37,650 miles · MD

Problem has occurred multiple time over the past 2+ years: situation 1: while driving, without warning, total loss of power steering, steering warning light and other lights on dash light up: situation goes away by turning off the car and re-starting it. Situation 2: starting the car, car starts, power steering and other lights remain on, no power steering. Situation goes away by turning off car and re-starting. Situation 1 potentially deadly - happened to my wife while driving, very difficult for her to make a necessary turn on winding road.

Filed Mar 4, 2010 · Steering · 50,000 miles · MD

Lost of power steering on 2007/2008 honda fit. Normally on very cold days when the car is cold. In the morning on first startup or after the car has been parked for long time. The powering steering does not work. Usually can turn the car off and restart to fix the problem. But sometimes have to do this several times. Twice it has quit while I was actually driving both times were with in the first 5 miles of driving from home and work, lost of power steering. Problem has happened many times over several years but is intermittent to when it happens. Normally happens about 1-3 times a week during the winter season of about 3 months. Honda does have a service bulletin about the problem now #09-043. Problem seem to be the eps unit, part number 39980-sln-a21. I seriously consider this a safety problem as you all of a sudden can lost your steering ability while driving. The problem is not normal and I think honda should recall this car to fix this problem. I just read that the gm cars and acura cars have a similar power steering problem and gm is recalling their cars to fix it. This thread documents other people that have the same exact problem I have. Http://townhall.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f1346c0/33.