Have had to call roadside assistance THREE times in the last eight months. First time was my fault: I left the lights on for 30 minutes, while my wife & I went for a coffee. The last two times, the car simply refused to start: the battery had died. The service guy on both occasions suggested that we are not driving the car far enough to keep the battery charged ! ! ? ? Really !?
I have been driving for nearly fifty years - old cars & new - & have only had this problem on OLD cars. Vehicles that did not owe me anything, 'cos they were past their prime.
This FIT was bought BRAND NEW, 26 months ago. I'm beginning to feel that the car is unreliable. Not quite sure how to proceed from here. Bought a solar powered charger from Canadian Tire. Will give that a try. Fingers crossed.
This time the gauge cluster actually gave me a " check charge system" alert. Car started first try right after jumpers were attached. All accessories were working as usual; heater fan, radio, lights, wipers, etc. No sound of starter ever, just bells and buzzes from dash. Back to the dealer because I see these complaints all over the web.
New battery... Why does this keep happening? Is a 340 cold crank amp battery sufficient for this engine? I have low mileage, but start the car and run it awhile it gets worse...
Not able to start the car happened four times. Each time I had to have it jump started by a tow agency and had an inconvenience and a loss of time for approximately one hour each time. The last time was after a trip of 8o miles and had to wait for the tow truck for one hour in 112 degree heat. Drove back home 80 miles and the car would not start the next day.
Took the car to Honda Santa Barbara - they claim there is nothing wrong with the electrical system other than the battery not being charged. Also stated the Fit battery is very small and needs to be charged frequently. This is of course, after I had informed them the car would not start after the 80 mile trips. I am not an electrical engineer, but I feel that the battery should certainly have sufficiently charged after an 80 mile trip. I have had many short trips around town and the car has started except for two times.
I believe the Honda people are trying to just get rid of me rather than doing a detailed investigation of this problem. I asked if a larger battery could be installed, just going along with their theory which I didn't believe, and I was informed the space for the battery was inadequate for a large battery and it would be dangerous to put a large battery there without proper anchoring. Also advised a trickle charger when the vehicle was not in use. It was obvious to me I would be wasting more time trying to get Honda to fix my problem and left.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Vehicle started poorly and then failed to start over a period of a few days and battery died after lasting less than 3 years from manufacturing date.
- Daniel N., Palmetto, GA, US