Honda 6 Speed Manual Dilemma - Article

[Special Ringpop]

Honda got hit again with another problem.

Fit owners are starting to complain of being unable to get into reverse, according to Edmund's Long-Term test vehicle.

December 10th, 2007:
I loaded my stuff into the cargo area, hopped in, started the car and put it into reverse. Except it didn't want to go into reverse.

I tried revving it bit to get it in, tried to let the car roll a touch to get the gears in the right place, everything I did wouldn't work. As I tried to mash the shifter into place, two cars were contesting each other for my parking space and my girlfriend was wondering why I was swearing so much. I was stressing out.

My only solution was to Fred Flintstone it. I opened my car door and literally pushed the car out of its space with my foot. People stopped and stared. The two cars vying for my space didn't seem to car about each other anymore. Not only was it a little difficult to get the car out of the space, it was embarrassing.

December 13th, 2007:
The Honda service adviser called to say our 2007 Honda Fit Sport is nearly ready for pick-up. Seems its failure to go into reverse issue was caused by dirty transmission fluid. The fluid was changed under warranty, and they're now addressing the warped brake rotors.

January 7th, 2008:
I haven't driven the Fit in quite some time, since before the transmission problem. And it seems, the dealer's magic fluid fix didn't do the trick, either. After hopping in and firing it up, it was reluctant to go into revo. I didn't try to force it and after maybe four or five tries (employing the old tricks like moving the selector through the other gears and moving the car forward a few inches) it slid into reverse. We're not going to let this slide and are planning another dealer visit soon, as we're looking to sell the car and want it in "no excuses" condition.

Seems like it's not the only transmission problem Honda's been having. Unfortunately for us Si owners, Edmund's dealership experience went well:

We dropped off our mono-course Fit at the dealership to take a look at the aforementioned reverse gear issue. The Service Advisor gave us a quizzical look. (Si owners know this look all too well. It's the look of impending failure for them).

(Unfortunately, most Si owners can't get this next part to happen) He hopped in and tried to shift into reverse. He tried revving, engaging disengaging, the roll... nothing worked. He called over a mechanic and explained the situation. The mechanic got in, tried all those tricks plus extra muscle. After staring at the shifter for a bit he shut the car off.

The mechanic walked over and calmly stated, "Yeah, we can't get it in either. We'll take a look at it and let you know."

"Really? Hmm. Yes, please do."

[portabuddy]

^^^

Yah sound about right... i cant get me revers in sometimes too... but the rolling trick works.

[Bboy_Burst]

Yea, That Happened To Me Twice With My Si. I Was Trying To Parallel Park & It Suddenly Wouldn't Go In Reverse. I Try Putting It In Different Gears & Back To Reverse, But It Didn't Work Either. Worst Part Was People Looking At Me Like It Was My Day Learning How To Drive A Manual Car...

[Special Ringpop]

Originally Posted by Bboy_Burst

Yea, That Happened To Me Twice With My Si. I Was Trying To Parallel Park & It Suddenly Wouldn't Go In Reverse. I Try Putting It In Different Gears & Back To Reverse, But It Didn't Work Either. Worst Part Was People Looking At Me Like It Was My Day Learning How To Drive A Manual Car...

That happens to me everytime third gear pops out and the car over revs in neutral as I'm accelerating.

Not fun, having people think you don't know how to drive stick, when instead it's a flawed transmission.