Recall 15V697 covers 25,367 2015-2016 Honda Fit vehicles for grab handle brackets that can puncture side curtain air bags. Repair is free at Honda dealers.
Honda is recalling 25,367 2015-2016 Fit LX vehicles without a sunroof because improperly made rear grab handle brackets can puncture the side curtain air bags when they deploy. That damage leaves outboard occupants at higher risk of injury in a crash, and Honda dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear grab handle bracket in a 2015-2016 Honda Fit is a metal support behind the interior grab handle near the roof. In LX models without a sunroof, that bracket sits close to the side curtain air bag, the air bag that drops down along the side glass to help protect occupants in a side-impact crash.
On affected Fit vehicles, the rear grab handle brackets were not made to Honda's design specifications. During side curtain air bag deployment, the bracket can interfere with the air bag as it inflates. The bracket can puncture the air bag, which means the air bag is not able to provide the side-impact and ejection protection it was designed to provide.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver will not hear, see, or feel this bracket problem during normal driving, because the defect matters only when the side curtain air bag deploys in a crash.
Who's affected?
Body structure and side air bag components are listed separately for the same Fit model.
| 2016 Honda Fit | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2016 Honda Fit | side air bag |
| 2015 Honda Fit | body or structural component |
| 2015 Honda Fit | side air bag |
| Units affected | 25,367 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific hatchback is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the side curtain air bag is punctured during deployment, outboard seat occupants have less crash protection and face a higher risk of injury. Schedule the free bracket replacement soon. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Honda Fit LX without a sunroof is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the free rear grab handle bracket replacement that keeps the bracket from puncturing side curtain air bags during deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if Honda mailed one, or reference recall number 15V697 when you call.
- Call Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138 if the dealer cannot confirm parts or scheduling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Honda technician replaces the rear grab handle bracket that can interfere with the side curtain air bag during deployment. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Honda states the new vehicle warranty would have covered this repair without owner payment, so there is no separate reimbursement program for repairs before the recall notice. If you have prior repair paperwork, ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies to that work.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| October 23, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 23, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| October 23, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 4, 2015 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 4, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 18, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V697?
Recall 15V697 covers 25,367 2015-2016 Honda Fit LX vehicles without a sunroof. Rear grab handle brackets were not manufactured properly, and the brackets can puncture the side curtain air bags during deployment, raising injury risk in a crash. Honda dealers replace the rear grab handle brackets for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Honda Fit is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Fit is included in recall 15V697. If it is, contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule replacement of the rear grab handle brackets. Reference recall number 15V697 or Honda recall code JV8 when you call. The repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Honda's remedy says dealers will replace the rear grab handle brackets free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Honda dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 15V697?
The safety risk is reduced side curtain air bag protection during a crash. In the affected vehicles, the rear grab handle brackets can puncture the side curtain air bags when they deploy, which raises injury risk for outboard seat occupants.
What if I bought my Honda Fit used?
The free recall repair still applies to an included used Honda Fit. Check your VIN because the year and model are not enough to confirm coverage, especially if you never received Honda's owner letter. If your VIN is included, call a Honda dealer and reference recall 15V697.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V697000 |
|---|---|
| Honda customer service | 1-888-234-2138 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V697 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V697000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →