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Honda Fit Brake Questions

80 messages,  Last post on May 10, 2012 at 3:52 PM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Fit, Brakes, Hatchback

Messages Page 6 of 9

#49 of 80 ann4fit by ann4fit

Mar 05, 2010 (11:06 am)

I have a 2009 Honda Fit Sport with/navi. I have 9000+ miles on it - I've driven it 13 months now. My daughter also drives it. She said that she didn't like the sound (pounding under brakes)one time. I said it was the ABS and said no more. (I still own a 91 Honda accord no airbags or ABS, of course). However, the first snow we had in February, (it had only begun snowing 1/2 before.) She began driving and we had gone 2 blocks to the stop sign. When she hit the break, (she was going 22 mph) as I cautioned her to be careful until we saw how the car handled in the first snow. We only had stock tires on it. - The Fit didn't stop and slid onto oncoming traffic. Luckily for us, both SUV's stopped and we proceeded to the next busy intersection. When the light changed, she hit the break and again we slid and this time it was a very busy intersection with cars approaching us. My daughter did something with the break which her driving instructor taught her to do, and the Fit car turned sideways just in time as the cars past by. We proceeded about 2 miles to the CVS's and then she drove even more carefully. I took out the manual and realized we should have put the car into shift differential and pulled the right paddle shifter to get into M2 (manual 2)...that would have been better for traction in the snow. But after reading the forums where other people were having problems with either the ABS while going at slow speeds or idle surging or sensors not reading the car correctly when you slow down - I'm worried. So far on drive conditions, I haven't had problems, but I'm concerned.
I took the car into the dealer and the mechanic said I had 9/32 on the rear tires and 7/32 on the front so he suggested that he rotate tires, which I agreed too. I'm planning on getting (4) snow tires in February '10. - probably Blizzak WS60's.
I love the Honda Fit, - just trying to get safely where I need to go. My daughter drove from Philadelphia to Virginia - took about 2.5 hours in Jan '10 and loved it - she didn't have a problem passing large trucks, when needed....and she lived in California for about 8 years. We both love the 2009 Honda Fit Sport with/ navi.
Still concerned though- I think I will have her write a letter about her experience and send it to Honda American just to have it documented. STILL CONCERNED - RIGHTLY SO!

#50 of 80 Re: ann4fit [ann4fit] by shelley04

Mar 05, 2010 (11:30 am)

Replying to: ann4fit (Mar 05, 2010 11:06 am)
The Fit does not seem to do very well at all on ice and snow. It has low ground clearance, for one, but the large wheels and the tires it comes with just do not seem to generate any traction at all. The slipping and sliding on snow is probably a different problem than the brakes not holding or the car surging forward from a stop or slow down. You can try putting something heavy in the back--a couple of bags of sand or kitty litter, for instance, or potting soil, etc. We just have not driven ours on the snow at all, since we still own the old CRV which is wonderful on snow and ice. Frankly, if my car did not stop at two successive intersections, I would turn around and carefully drive home!
 
We have not had any problems DRIVING the Fit--it is very peppy and does well on the interstate. We have not even had problems getting it to stop suddenly, when someone pulls in front of you and you have to stop now. It's just the gradual slow down when you are pulling up at a stop light or into/out of a parking space. I would be frightened to drive it in the stop-and-go rush hour traffic but fortunately we rarely get that out here in the country.
 
It also does better with a somewhat forceful and aggressive driver with strong legs. The angle of the seat and the pedals is not suited at all to a short person, which is odd for a Japanese car, and a car which is small and does not fit a tall person very well.

#51 of 80 Slid in Snow 2009 Honda Fit Sport by ann4fit

Mar 05, 2010 (2:04 pm)

I am 5/8", my daughter is 5' 7".It is a 2009 Honda Fit Sport w/navi. My daughter was only driving about 22mph when she went to make a stop at the Stop sign and slid. Luckily, the 2 suv's coming at us stopped in time...but when it happened again 1 block away when she hit the break to stop for the light change, that was really scary. I am hoping it was the new fallen snow and the fact that I did not have 4 snow tires on my car. I only had the stock tires with 9/32sec in front and 7/32sec in rear.
My concern came when I read the forums re brake problems. The Honda site doesn't have recalls for the 2009 Honda Fit as yet. Perhaps they will...I'll keep watching.
When I brought it into the dealer they just rotated the tires putting the 9/32 from the rear to the front. I then read the manual which said to drive in M2 (I have an automatic with paddle shifters) which I did driving about 4 blocks until I got to the main roads that had been cleanly plowed and I didn't have a problem again. I'll get 4 snow tires on next winter and put some weight in the rear (cat litter). I wouldn't drive in heavy snow or when conditions are so bad we are asked to stay off the road anyway. I only want to get my car off the 4 blocks I need to go to get to clean plowed roads. I'll keep reading others statements on brakes for my year car and say many a prayers to keep my daughter and I safe.
  Thanks for responding! A friend offered to help me drive with the paddle shifters...I don't have a problem knowing when to shift up...it's shifting down I seem to have a problem with..I have never driven a regular shift car before. Even though this is minus the clutch...I just have to feel brave enough to attempt it. I do have very good eye hand control. I'll take my friend up on his offer.

#52 of 80 sisandthen by sisandthen

Mar 10, 2010 (10:13 pm)

Yes,It is necessary to SHOUT. Lives are a risk "Honda of America Recall Your Faulty Brakes" . Time to call the MEDIA!!!!!!!!

#53 of 80 Honda FIt 08 Brake failure by susanfit08

Mar 29, 2010 (11:49 am)

On Thursday March 25, 2010, I was involved in an accident while driving my 2008 Honda Fit. It was a beautiful day and I was traveling in traffic at 40 to 50 miles per hour.
When the car ahead of me came to a stop, I applied my brakes but they would not engage. I had plenty of time to stop but the brakes failed and I rear-ended another car. It was so frightening to know that I couldn't stop and that I was going to hit the guy ahead of me. Even on impact and with the extensive damage to my front end, the airbag never deployed.
An ambulance was called because I was in pain and could not stand without my legs giving out. Eventually, with assistance I was able to move. This has been very unsettling and although I am feeling better, I am still hurting.
Police were also called to the scene. After their investigation , they did not issue me a citation and waited at the scene until the car was towed.
Later that evening I received a call from my Hondadealership informing me that the ABS light was illuminated and that it indicated brake failure. I explained that that fact was also documented in the police report.
I no longer feel safe in this car. . I have found the blogs and forum reporting thousands of similar accidents involving the 2008 Honda Fit.
Why wasn’t I advised before now that there could be an issue? I am a mother of three. Thankfully I suffered only bruising and lower back pain. I daresay that if I had been travelling at a higher rate of speed, this accident could have been fatal to me or someone else.

#54 of 80 Re: ann4fit [shelley04] by beantown

Mar 29, 2010 (1:55 pm)

Replying to: shelley04 (Mar 05, 2010 11:30 am)
shelley04 said:
 
The Fit does not seem to do very well at all on ice and snow. It has low ground clearance, for one, but the large wheels and the tires it comes with just do not seem to generate any traction at all. The slipping and sliding on snow is probably a different problem than the brakes not holding or the car surging forward from a stop or slow down. You can try putting something heavy in the back--a couple of bags of sand or kitty litter, for instance, or potting soil, etc.
 
fyi - The last thing in the world you want to do with a front wheel drive car in the winter is to weigh down the back of it as you suggest above. It will magnify any traction problems.
 
Two words: snow tires.

#55 of 80 Re: Honda FIt 08 Brake failure [susanfit08] by kathyd226

Apr 04, 2010 (7:15 am)

Replying to: susanfit08 (Mar 29, 2010 11:49 am)
This is almost word for word what happened to my 08 fit. They didnt total my car but almost 6000 in damage. I believe they (Honda) may be starting to realize there is a problem. My ex husband has a 08 element and they just sent him a recall notice for brake failure. Honda will not own up to the fact that the braking system is a lemon to say the least. The dealer wont (or cant) say they agree and tell you to have the insurance co investigate. After 3 weeks of a rental car I needed (financially) my car back. I too have a small child and it is quite unnerving to say the least but I have no other option to get a new car. The best of luck to you. At least we can all, and there are many of us, state that the braking system is a total

#56 of 80 Re: Same problem [evalenti] by susanfit08

Apr 15, 2010 (6:13 am)

Replying to: evalenti (Feb 04, 2010 11:03 am)
Have you made any headway with the class action suit? Have you heard anything from Honda?

#57 of 80 Re: Same problem [susanfit08] by evalenti

Apr 15, 2010 (6:28 am)

Replying to: susanfit08 (Apr 15, 2010 6:13 am)
Honda dealership tells me they can find nothing wrong with my car and just give me a blank stare. I haven't had much time to pursue the attorney avenue. Instead, I made a complaint on line at NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration). They gather data on specific vehicle complaints and look for trends and patterns. The form is very easy to navigate and only takes a couple of minutes to fill out. I encourage everyone who has experienced a safety issue with their Honda Fit to report it immediately. They will conduct an investigation and get back with you if they need more information. After doing some research, I believe that NHTSA is the best manner to achieve my goal of getting the Fit recalled for safety issues. Good luck!

#58 of 80 Re: wheel sensor on ABS brakes [carfit4me] by freeweel

Jul 17, 2010 (1:06 pm)

Replying to: carfit4me (Feb 10, 2010 8:21 am)
carfit4me;
I want to thank you for your original posting and for keeping up with it. I'm at the dealer now waiting for my '08 Fit Sport to come off the lift for it's 75K service. The only issue I've had with this car, to date, is the ABS "drop 'n' grind".
 
The pedal drops and the ABS kicks in when it shouldn't. Mine mostly happens in the warmer weather, strangely enough. I've been complaining about this to my dealer for the last 40K+ miles to no avail. I've also presented your thread several times since finding it about 20K ago. Today, the "drop 'n' grind" happend to the tech, FINALLY!!! He originally told me it was working as expected and there was nothing he could do about it. He did have to go to extremes, which could legitimately have caused a wheel to slide (left turn onto a small sand patch while braking). I kept the pressure on and mentioned your posting, AGAIN. This time he and the service consultant told me to share the posting and they would speak to their manager.
 
At 60K I shared your post with a service consultant, who is no longer with the dealer, and he finally noted it in the computer. I do have my prior complaints scribbled on the work orders, however.
 
Today is a good day. I suggest any of you Fit owners who recognize this issue to stay on your dealer. Thank you again for your post. Regardless of what happens, your post has been central to my arguments to this point.

Messages Page 6 of 9

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