7.1
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $550
- Average Mileage:
- 49,200 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 9 complaints
Most common solutions:
- new starter motor (5 reports)
- replace with remanufactured starter (3 reports)
- not sure (1 reports)
This is my 2nd complaint entered because the starter has failed again with 77k miles on it. I have a 1999 Ford Ranger that has never had to have the starter replaced. At 35k miles the starter failed for the first time in my Honda and today it has failed again. A starter should last more than 30-35k miles. I'm sick of these cheap plastic cars! I will be getting rid of this piece of crap and keeping my old clunker. There are pieces broken on this car and rubber gaskets split after 3 years of owning it.
- DeAnne F., Chandler, US
The part was 350 alone and as an advanced hobby mechanic I wasn't letting the dealership touch my car after seeing what they had done to my parent's cars. The starter is mounted behind a large portion of the wiring harness on the front of the engine and too a bit of work to get in but after about an hour and a half I got it done. So far it's lasted longer than the first one so hopefully I don't have to do it again, and the problem was fixed.
- Daniel N., Palmetto, GA, US
Starter started dying slowly at first, then became more and more intermittent. Never stranded me or anything, but it became harder and harder to start the car. Heard a loud click at the bottom of the car on every time I tried to start. Finally I got it fixed at only 72,000 miles, at 7 years old.
- Natalie B., Baton Rouge, US
Really disappointed that this car needs such an expensive fix when it's 5 years old. I've had other problems with this car and will never buy another Honda again. I will stick with Subaru and Volkswagens from now on - at least I can get to over 100,000 miles before anything needs to be repaired.
- Lisa M., Littleton, US
After my car frequently would not start, took it to Walmart and had battery tested. (I just replaced the battery last summer. Battery was fine.. Took to Autozone and tested battery, alternator and starter. They said all was fine. Car continued to not start, only click when pushing start button. I took local auto shop, they checked everything again before doing a diagnostic and said it was the starter. Out a car for 2 days and $100 in Uber fees. Total cost $570 + tax. Had to have starter shipped in because not a single one for my car in town, over-nighted at $65 otherwise cost would have been 505 and tax. Called local dealership and it would have been $700 there. Brand new car 3 years old, first new car ever had and have now spent more money on it than any of the used cars I ever had. Had to replace tires last year also.
- Nicole W., Phoenix, AZ, US
We were away for the winter and that is when the warranty ran out in November. We came back in April and started driving the car and after a day or two the starter started acting up by not always turning the motor over at the turn of the key. Sometimes it would take several try’s and was getting worse. They said it would not be under warranty So I put a used one on it. I think I will get rid of it for I just got that fixed and have discovered another serious problem. I have never heard of a starter going with so few miles on it,less than 30k miles
- Paul L., Calais, ME, US
The starter finally died at 36,063. I wasn't sure that was the problem and had tried other things first like; replace the battery and replace the remote batteries. The symptoms were just that it wouldn't start when I pressed the start button. I would have to press it repeatedly. It started out as only occasionally and progressed to every attempt to start over the next 2k miles.
I thought that since it was so close to the factory issued standard warranty in miles, that Honda would cover if not most of the cost.
I called Honda Corporate and started a case file even before taking it to the dealership. Unfortunately, my car was just over 1 yr out of warranty even though the miles were only right at 36k (factory warranty). The dealership initially quoted me $801 over the phone. Honda Corporate said I had to take it to the dealership to get the official diagnosis for them to help. The dealership confirmed it was the starter and lowered the quote to $705. They didn't initially tell me there was a diagnostic fee if they didn't fix it. The technician was just like, "yes, we will help you" when I had it towed over. But, it was a gamble.
I had already found a re-manufactured starter online with a 3yr/36k warranty for $100 and my mechanic would install it for $90. I took the chance and took it to the dealership instead not realizing it was 1 yr out of warranty or that they would use that so much against me. I thought the miles would be more important. Unfortunately, between Corporate and the dealership (Honda Gillman - Houston) the best they said they could get it to was $252.46. This assistance includes loyalty credit for having just bought a CRV last month at another dealership and having just had a "36k check-up" last month (when it was still at 34k) in which they didn't find the problem. But, I was penalized for it being 4 years and not 3 years from date of purchase. If I didn't have them do the repair I would still have to pay the $135 diagnostic fee.
In hindsight, I wish that I had just stuck with my own mechanic and bought the part myself to pay only a total of $190. I took the risk and paid $60 more. I shouldn't have had to pay anything because it's a well-known factory issued failed part and the time I had it should have been arbitrary because it started crapping out under 36k miles which is ridiculous. Also, my experience with the Corporate case manager was less than impressive. It was like talking to a robot.
If anyone is contemplating whether to go to the dealership or repair elsewhere if it's just barely out of the warranty - don't risk it. Get it fixed elsewhere and save your $. I have told the dealership and Corporate this experience was disappointing enough that I'm not buying any more Hondas.
- tiffanye, Houston, US
My 2015 Honda Fit EX has had issues with starting for a couple of months. Sometimes starts right up....Often just "clicks" when I try starting it...In which case I have just continued to try, and it would eventually start up after 5 to 10 attempts. Just went into the Honda dealer this morning and he just told me "it sounds like it's probably the starter"...without doing any checking (and I believe there are other issues that can cause this) After only 30,000 miles I will be quite disappointed to have to spend $775 (estimated by dealer) for a new starter. I sure hope he's planning on ruling out other causes (as he said he would) before replacing it. Judging by other complaints though, it's beginning to look as if this may be a common problem for the 2015 Fit.
Update from Mar 22, 2019: March 22, 2019 Update: I ended up buying a re-manufactured starter ("Ultima" brand) and having it installed by local mechanic. Starter cost $306.28 (includes tax)..Installation cost $132.18. I've had issues with this replacement starter from day one, but on the "up-side", the issues have not got any worse (yet) It often takes two or three attempts before it starts. There is a "limited lifetime warranty" on it, but it doesn't make sense to ask for another one that may end up having the same issues...because I'd have to pay for another installation. I'm just living with it until such time that it may quit starting. A definite "week point" in the 2015 Honda Fits...They should cover the cost IMO, but they won't. :(
- lekawa, Lawrence, KS, US
I'm entering a 2nd complaint because the starter has failed again with 77k miles on it. I have a 1999 Ford Ranger that has never had to have the starter replaced. At 35k miles the starter failed for the first time in my Honda and today it has failed again. A starter should last more than 30-35k miles. I'm sick of these cheap plastic cars! I will be getting rid of this piece of crap and keeping my old clunker. There are pieces broken on this car and rubber gaskets split after 3 years of owning it.
- DeAnne F., Chandler, US