HondaFit2012Overview/honda/fit/2012/base/

2012 Honda Fit

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Fit.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2012 Honda Fit is a passenger car powered by an engine requiring 3.8 quarts of 0W-20 API oil and paired with an automatic (S5) transmission, delivering EPA fuel economy of 27 mpg city, 33 highway, and 30 combined. Across the 2007–2020 model run, this generation has accumulated 113 owner complaints and 11 recalls, with air bags representing the top reported concern. That complaint volume sits well below the 2007 peak of 369 yet remains markedly above the 2020 low of 35, positioning the 2012 model in a moderate zone of the Fit’s long-term reliability spectrum.

Model year202020192018201720162015201420132012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy27/33/30 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 151R · 340 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 151R · 340 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP175-65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length161.8 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height59.8 in
Wheelbase98.4 in
Curb weight2471 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 57.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined27 / 33 / 30 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Fit of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.20 sec — 2012 Sport Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2012Sport Hatchback 1.5L I-48.20 sec16.30 sec117 hpFWD
2011Sport Hatchback 1.5L I-48.40 sec16.50 sec117 hpFWD
2013EV Hatchback Elec 20-kWh8.50 sec16.70 sec123 hpFWD
2013EV Hatchback (Sport Mode) Elec 20-kWh8.70 sec16.80 sec123 hpFWD
2010Sport Hatchback 1.5L I-48.30 sec16.50 sec117 hpFWD
2010Sport Hatchback 1.5L I-410.20 sec17.60 sec117 hpFWD
2009Sport Hatchback 1.5L I-48.30 sec16.30 sec117 hpFWD
2009Sport Hatchback 1.5L I-48.50 sec16.60 sec117 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.8 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.8 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts87 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)790 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Ignition Timing0 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.81-0.92 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.66-3.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number151R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance340 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)46.0-54.0 psi
Engine Compression142 Minimum PSI. 28 Maximum variation PSI.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket17 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.063 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Drum Nominal Diameter7.874 in
Drum Discard at-or-over7.913
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 907 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
127 ft. lbs., step 2: 9027 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4018 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

At 160,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Honda Fit represents a notable stabilization point in the first-generation model’s federal record. Complaints dropped sharply from 286 in 2009 to 113 in both 2011 and 2012, while recalls remained consistent at 11—matching the prior year but slightly below the 2009–2010 average. The year saw one investigation, a return to early-generation levels, and a modest decline in TSBs (44 vs. 53–55 in 2010–2011). Air bag complaints (39) dominate the 2012 data, aligning with a broader industry-wide trend rather than a Fit-specific issue, while other systems show relatively low incident counts. Compared to the 2013 uptick in complaints (175) and the later surge in TSBs for 2015, the 2012 model appears to be a relatively trouble-free midpoint in the generation. This makes the 2012 a strong used purchase candidate, assuming air bag components have been inspected or replaced.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
44
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
113
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 113 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags39
Steering14
Power Train12
Engine10
Vehicle Speed Control5
Electrical System4
Suspension3
Tires2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V661000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 27/09/2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer…

18V268000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 26/04/2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 44 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A18-0482026-02-28Air BagsService Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag…
A07-0302021-01-23Equipment"Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant…
A20-0112020-03-10Air BagsService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
A20-0162020-03-10Air BagsService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
19-003-12019-08-13Air BagsWarranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator for…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Fit. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Fit take?

3.8 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Fit have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Fit get?

EPA figures are 27 city / 33 highway / 30 combined mpg.