NHTSA Complaint #10606579 — 2008 HONDA FIT

2008 HONDA FIT SPORT, 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION BEGAN BINDING (RESISTANCE, AUDIBLE CLICK FROM SHIFT LINKAGE) SHIFTING INTO 1ST, 2ND, 3RD GEAR AT APPROX 60K MILES (JUST PRIOR TO 2ND FLUID CHANGE). INITIALLY RESOLVED PROBLEM. RECURRING AT 80K MILES. TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED, CLUTCH FLUID CHANGED/BLED (NO CHANGE), CLUTCH HEIGHT AND ENGAGEMENT ADJUSTED (SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT), AND STILL NOT FULLY RESOLVED. AT THIS POINT IT IS LIKELY A PREMATURELY WORN CLUTCH, SYNCROMESH ISSUE, OR POSSIBLY SHIFT LINKAGE. BEST GUESS IS A LITTLE OF BOTH. FITFREAK.NET IS FULL OF SIMILAR TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND HONDA DOES NOT HAVE A REPUTATION FOR BUILDING RELIABLE TRANSMISSIONS. I WISH HONDA WOULD ADDRESS THEIR ENGINEERING DEFICIENCIES IN THIS AREA OR AT LEAST PROVIDE OUT OF WARRANTY COVERAGE TO OWNERS. WILL FOLLOW UP WITH DEALER, BUT EXPECTING NO COOPERATION. MAINTENANCE BACKGROUND: PROFESSIONAL A&P MECHANIC, ALL SERVICES PERFORMED ACCORDING TO HONDA'S SCHEDULE, ONLY GENUINE HONDA FLUIDS USED. VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY ORIGINAL EXCEPT FOR FRONT BRAKE ROTORS/PADS. NO ACCIDENTS, NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH CAR. *TR