Toyota Aqua vs Honda Fit: known faults compared
Both are small Japanese hatchbacks sold here mostly as used imports, both come as petrol-electric hybrids, and they are listed side by side at similar money.
The catalogue documents 42 faults for the Honda Fit and 20 for the Toyota Aqua. That is a measure of how much has been recorded, which grows with how many were sold and for how long, not a reliability score.
At a glance
| Measure | Toyota Aqua | Honda Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Documented faults | 20 | 42 |
| Rated major or critical | 14 | 32 |
| Rated common or very common | 16 | 29 |
| Typical repair | $300–$950 | $250–$1,200 |
| Model years covered | 2011–2021 | 2001–2024 |
| Fuel types with documented faults | hybrid | petrol, hybrid |
| Service schedule on the model page | Yes | Yes |
Where the Toyota Aqua goes wrong
Most likely to turn up
- Hybrid traction battery cell degradation and failure
- Front Lower Control Arm Bush Deterioration
- Rear Brake Corrosion from Regenerative Braking Bias
Most expensive to fix
Where the Honda Fit goes wrong
Most likely to turn up
- Rear Tailgate Gas Strut Pressure Loss
- i-DCD clutch actuator motor failure
- i-DCD Hill-Start Stall and Creep Stall
Most expensive to fix
Where the Toyota Aqua and Honda Fit differ
- Engine: 1 documented on the Toyota Aqua, 11 on the Honda Fit. The costliest on the Honda Fit is L15B Engine Oil Dilution by Fuel on Short-Trip Cycles, at up to $2,200.
- Transmission: 2 documented on the Toyota Aqua, 10 on the Honda Fit. The costliest on the Honda Fit is CVT Drive Pulley Shaft Fracture — Sudden Loss of Drive, at up to $9,000.
- Electrical: 5 documented on the Toyota Aqua, 8 on the Honda Fit. The costliest on the Honda Fit is i-DCD Hybrid Battery Pack (IPU) Capacity Degradation, at up to $8,500.
Both carry several documented faults in electrical, brakes and suspension, so check those areas on either car.
Fault areas side by side
| Area | Toyota Aqua | Honda Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | 5 | 8 |
| Transmission | 2 | 10 |
| Engine | 1 | 11 |
| Brakes | 4 | 6 |
| Suspension | 5 | 4 |
| Cooling | 2 | 0 |
| Fluid Leaks | 1 | 1 |
| Body & Rust | 0 | 2 |
How to read this comparison
These are documented faults, not failure rates. A car sold in bigger numbers, for more years, has more written about it. Neither list tells you about the car in front of you: that depends on its history and how it has been looked after. Use the lists to know what to check, then check it.
Checking one of these cars?
Type the plate for the free basics and the faults that apply to that exact car. The full history and the guided inspection are one-off paid checks, no subscription.
Questions
Which has more known problems, the Toyota Aqua or the Honda Fit?
The catalogue documents 42 faults for the Honda Fit and 20 for the Toyota Aqua. That is a measure of how much has been recorded, which grows with how many were sold and for how long, not a reliability score. Of those, 14 on the Toyota Aqua and 32 on the Honda Fit are rated major or critical. What matters more is whether the car in front of you has the specific faults its model is known for.
Which is cheaper to fix?
A typical documented repair runs $300 to $950 on the Toyota Aqua and $250 to $1,200 on the Honda Fit, at New Zealand independent workshop rates. The expensive exceptions are listed on this page for each car, and they are the ones to check for before you buy.
What is the most expensive known fault on each?
On the Toyota Aqua it is MG1 Resolver Fault Causing Traction Battery Warning, documented at up to $6,500. On the Honda Fit it is CVT Drive Pulley Shaft Fracture — Sudden Loss of Drive, documented at up to $9,000.