OK, probably the most realistic "how to repair something" video I've EVER watched - this is how s#!t REALLY goes when working on ANYTHING old!! - a car, a house, an appliance, whatever. Refreshing! Thank You!

I took mine out today, didn't have to remove the rear wiper, just poped the drivers side of the outside panel up. The handle came right out when i lifted the outside trim piece. New handle coming tomorrow.

So glad I found your video. I was given my mother's 2008 fit, and it has the same freaking problem. It's rust city because the car mostly sat parked in NYC since the pandemic!

Just got a 2007 Fit, for a real good deal, and the back hatch won’t open, so glad I found you vid🙃

I am amazed at your stick- to-it - ive- ness, I would’ve given way long ago. Looks like I’ll,be taking mine Fit to mechanic to replace my hatch handle, but your vid was informative

I found myself rooting for you with those latch Phillips head screws🥳🥳

Instead of removing that outer trim, I cut the hole in the sheet metal bigger so that I didn"t have to rotate the handle to get it out. I used an oscillatory tool to cut the sheet metal above where the latch sticks through it. If the original latch is frozen, it's easy enough to just cut the little arm off of the old latch. It's an easy cut.

KZfaq and WD to the rescue! Thanks!😅

4:00 it is possible to force it out without removing the panel, but absurdly difficult to get the new one in, so best just to remove the panel in the first place, I think.

I fitted the new lock mech and all seemed great . Then after locking it . The handle seemed weak and wouldnt release again like before . I wonder if its the cable.or handle ? I then have to get into the boot and pull the lever across to get it open . After that its seems fine ?

In California it's possible to rust free good used parts (from PYP) This is my first part choice Dealer is the next

Hello.. I too have a 2007 Honda fit in Canada and have the exact same problem with the latch…I watched you trying to take the handle out and had to laugh as I went to through the exact same motions! I am in Canada so was pretty cold these few months and have not been able to put the new handle on yet…I managed to get the old one out without cutting the bolt off but can’t put the new one in the same way. I wanted to ask when you cut off the rusty bolt head with a dremmel did you just put a new bolt in and it worked fine? I wasn’t sure if I have to have the exact same type that was rusted to replace or did you get away with a washer and nut and bolt? You didn’t show this in the video unfortunately:(

Thank you so much for this 🙏

My fit IS just as rusty, unfortunately. I hope this goes well.🤞

do you know if the handle of the 2009 honda fit is the same as the 2006 honda fit?

Anyone got any advice on what to do if that little tab that opens the door isnt releasing even after I move it over? Thanks.

On the base model there is only one (green) wire connector to the rear latch

Been there, enough to make a grown man weep, never got it off in the end (handle) just soaked it in WD40, lasts a few months and repeat.

Here in the UK all our cars look rusty like that.

My hatch won't lock.. is it supposed to?

Both my fits had this problem. Really crappy design on an otherwise amazing car

Honda Jazz in UK. Crap name I know.

Don't buy any USED car from the rust belt if you value your money! If they made the pin in the latch handle out of stainless steel, NOBODY WOULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM with this handle. Poor engineering, the replacement part should have been upgraded.