The best-documented Honda Fit Hybrid problems are the software recalls on the 2013–2014 i-DCD cars, mostly for the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Before you buy any Fit Hybrid, confirm the recall work was done, check the hybrid system for warnings, and read the auction sheet and service records.
Key takeaways
- Honda issued five recalls for the new Fit Hybrid between October 2013 and October 2014; three were for the dual-clutch gearbox software.
- The fixes were mainly software updates and, where needed, gearbox parts; a properly fixed car is not necessarily a problem car.
- The 2020-on Fit e:HEV uses a different two-motor system with no dual-clutch gearbox.
- For any used hybrid, check warning lights, the hybrid battery, the auction sheet and the service record book.
Which Fit Hybrid are we talking about?
Most “Fit Hybrid problems” talk refers to the third-generation Fit Hybrid sold in Japan from September 2013 to February 2020.
It uses Honda’s “i-DCD” hybrid: a 1.5-litre engine with one electric motor built into a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) and a lithium-ion battery. It came in 2WD and 4WD.
The fourth-generation Fit, from February 2020, uses the “e:HEV” two-motor system instead. It has no DCT, so the gearbox recalls below do not apply to it.
1. Know the 2013–2014 recalls
Short answer: early cars had five recalls in about a year. Three were for the DCT’s control software.
- October 2013, December 2013 and February 2014: problems with the program controlling the 7-speed DCT. In the February 2014 recall, Honda said the car could fail to engage first gear, so it might not move off or might be delayed. That recall covered Fit Hybrids built from July 2013 to February 2014, along with the Vezel Hybrid.
- July 2014: a motor control program issue that could cause unexpected movement at very low speed.
- October 2014: insufficient protection against electrical noise in ignition coils and a power supply circuit, which could make the engine run poorly or stop.
For the February 2014 recall, Honda’s remedy was to check each DCT’s gear-change history, replace DCT parts where first gear had failed to engage, and install new control software.
What this means for you: a 2013–2014 car should have had all this work done in Japan long ago. Still, ask for it to be confirmed rather than assuming.
2. Check recall status before you pay
Ask our office whether the recall work on the car’s chassis number can be confirmed. Honda’s Japanese recall site (in Japanese) and Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) both publish recall information.
A service record book (kirokubo) often shows dealer work, including recall work. Not every car has one, so treat it as a bonus, not a guarantee.
You can browse our current Honda Fit stock; look for “Hybrid” or “e:HEV” in the grade. For Kenya, use the Fit 2019+ list.
3. Read the auction sheet carefully
The auction sheet is the best independent record of the car’s condition at sale. Look at the grade, interior score, mileage and inspector’s notes.
Notes about warning lights, gearbox faults, flood damage or replaced parts need an explanation before you pay. Our auction sheet guide and auction sheet decoder help you read the codes.
4. Check the hybrid system and battery
Ask whether the car starts normally into “READY” mode and shows no hybrid system, engine or brake warning messages.
- Ask our office what checks are possible on the specific car before you pay, for example whether dashboard photos with the car running can be provided.
- Remember that the hybrid battery ages with time and heat, not only mileage. Plan for a garage near you that can diagnose Honda hybrids.
- For Kenya, the QISJ pre-export inspection is a roadworthiness check. Do not rely on it alone to judge the hybrid battery. See how QISJ inspection works.
5. Know how the i-DCD should drive
The i-DCD changes gear like a conventional automatic, so it does not feel exactly like a Toyota hybrid with e-CVT.
After delivery, drive the car gently for the first days. If you feel hesitation when pulling away, harsh engagement at walking pace or warning lights, take it to a garage that knows Honda hybrids.
Our Honda Fit maintenance tips for African climates cover servicing and heat.
6. Consider the e:HEV (2020 on)
If your budget and import rules allow, the fourth-generation Fit e:HEV avoids the DCT entirely. Its electric motor drives the wheels most of the time, while the engine mainly generates power.
It is still a hybrid, so the same battery and warning-light checks apply. Compare it with its main rival in Toyota Aqua vs Honda Fit Hybrid.
Whatever you choose, pay only to “Autocom Japan Inc.” accounts in Japan. Read how to avoid scams first.
Frequently asked questions
Are all Honda Fit Hybrids affected by the recalls?
No. The 2013–2014 recalls covered cars built in specific production periods of the third-generation Fit Hybrid. Ask our office about the chassis number of the car you want.
Is a 2013 or 2014 Fit Hybrid safe to buy?
It can be, if the recall work was done and the car checks out. Confirm recall status, read the auction sheet and check for warning lights before you pay.
Does the Fit e:HEV have the same gearbox problems?
No. The e:HEV from 2020 uses a two-motor system without the dual-clutch gearbox that the recalls addressed.
Can I import a Fit Hybrid to Kenya?
Yes, if it was first registered on or after 1 January 2019 (the rule for 2026). That means late i-DCD cars or the e:HEV. See our Kenya age limit guide.
Does the auction sheet show the hybrid battery condition?
Not in detail. It may note warning lights or faults, so ask our office what other checks are possible on that car.
