Not to add fuel to this fire but I just had the starter replaced in my '16 Fit at 26k miles.

It began having trouble starting 3 weeks ago; 2 or 3 tries would get it to fire up and then over the last few days it would take up to 20-30 tries!

Just another anecdote to add to the conversation. Mine was, of course, replaced under warranty.

 

Looks like a possible premature failure as 2015 models are getting older now. To sum up my symptoms: clicking sound only upon turning key. Only about one in ten starts fails to start. First thought, bad battery, replaced. Second thought, immobilizer system. Still happens using either key so not the problem. Finally went to dealer for an oil change, Luckily it failed to start right in front of them so no " failed to replicate" issues. They said it was a bad starter without hesitation. Said it would eventually fail completely and leave me stranded. Getting it replaced at 38k. I've been only buying Honda's since 1990. This is the first starter to ever fail on me. It is not happening at a good time as I am starting to consider a Subaru over a CR-V next year.

 

Fail on a starter is one of the most common problems with nearly all car models, Not the item that would decide the brand for me.. Its a basic electrical item that does a lot of work. Statistical failure .... Not to say there isnt a honda problem with them especially if the starter is farmed out to tialand or mexico but how do you escape that these days... ??

 

There's no excuse for a starter failure. The technology's a hundred years old. Honda has a problem, probably with the quality of a component which goes into the starter. There's no way to know how many cars are affected by this and all you can do is hope that if you're affected that it happens while you're still under warranty.

 

ITS NOT JUST HONDA!!! that's my point. Quality has gone in the crapper for many brands.. Of the 3 new cars I've purchased, #1 fail has been a early death of a starter second has been cat converters..

 

Question? I have a 2015 fit (70,000 miles)and the past couple weeks I've been having to push the start button numerous times to get the car to start. I took it to autozone and got the battery checked and they said the battery is good. I hear a small click sometimes. Is this the starter? I hope not !

 

Stories like this just make me cringe how poor Honda quality has become. My Shitty 96 Dodge Neon never had a Starter failure. Car lasted 224K before the Freeze plug let go before I had to retire the car due to overheating.

 

My two previous vehicles were Honda: '08 GD3 and '96 Civic HX. Starter still going strong on my GD3 at 147K (hit by red light runner & totaled) and on my Civic at 175K (hit a deer and totaled). And I drove those cars a lot of short trips with lots of starts.

Never a problem with the starter. Really wonder what's going on here. Anyone know who makes the GK5 starter?

 

Nipondenso/Mitsubishi/Diamond Star/Bosche/and a couple others from what I can tell from places like rock auto zooming in on the pictures.

Normal electrical system component failure is almost 10% industry wide.. (Not just cars either.. ) its gotten to where a lot of cars you just drive off the sales lot and over to the service lot to get the bugs out.. So sad

 

I'm 45 years old and have driven 25 - 40k miles per year since 16. That's over 1 million miles. I put over 200k on two vehicles and over 100k on a ton. Almost at 200k on the GD Fit.

I've never bought a starter for anything other than my race car. Bought my share of alternators and water pumps, but never a starter.

What's with these new cars? Have I just been really lucky?

Most of my cars have been manuals. Are these GK Fits that are failing all one type of transmission?

 

My ‘15 Fit was a manual, and the starter developed a dead spot on the commutator at 22,000 miles. First starter I ever had to replace on any car I’ve owned.

To to be sure, I did replace the starter on my Harley, but it had 165,000 miles on it at the time.

 

I’m similar in age, driven well over 1 million miles. I’ve had to put three starters in cars I’ve owed. Maybe four, can’t remember fully? I do remember have to replace the ignition switch because it wore out. Sold it with 240K miles

 

Thanks Rob for the reality check. Guess I've just been lucky. For a drastic change!!!

Yeah! I scored one! Now I hope I don't nuke a transmission because I've done that a few times.