Honda is recalling about 97,000 of its 2009–10 Honda Fit hatchbacks in the United States and about 700,000 worldwide (also sold under the names Honda Freed and Honda City) because a part failure can cause the car to stall or damage the engine.
The carmaker announced in a news release that “lost motion springs” within the engine’s valve train “may bend or break over time resulting in abnormal engine noise and potentially causing engine damage or stalling.”
Honda said it was not aware of any crashes or injuries and would begin notifying owners early next month. The Japanese automaker said the problem is originates from a “a lack of lubrication “where the lost motion spring retainer contacts the rocker arm.”
Honda, which also recalled the Fit twice last year, said the engine could stall without the ability to restart.
The first recall covered the 2007-8 models and affected about 143,000 vehicles with faulty low-beam headlights. The second recall was for a fire hazard involving the power windows on about 141,000 Fits from the 2007-8 model years.
Honda will replace these lost-motion spring components within the engine valvetrain free of charge.
Article Last Updated: September 8, 2021.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
Should I wait until I get my recall notice or call my dealer? I have a 2010 FIT sport?
Well, the recall is embarrasing. But recently the Honda Fit is said to have pinned down the Toyota Prius in terms of sales. That is huge.