Honda Fit's HondaLink Problem Caused by Faulty Apple Connector
Our 2015 Honda Fit’s confusing HondaLink multimedia system was made even worse by issues including an intermittent display when hooked up via the HDMI port as well as a glitch that kept us from using iHeartRadio. HondaLink uses an Apple Lightning digital AV adapter to link an iPhone to the Fit’s multimedia system for mirroring navigation, iHeartRadio and Aha aps to the Fit’s 7-inch touch-screen. We purchased HondaLink’s iOS cable kit for $113.61 with tax when the car entered our long-term fleet in 2015. The kit includes the adapter, an Apple-approved HDMI cable and an Apple USB lightning cable. We haven’t had much success using it, and turns out it’s not us, it’s the cable.
Related: Follow Our Long-Term Fleet
Our Fit’s screen acted up when the Apple adapter was touched or moved, which sent the screen into a frenzy of static. Our local dealership confirmed that a faulty Apple digital AV adapter was to blame for the intermittent screen operation and that we needed a new one. Obtaining a replacement wasn’t as easy as the technician grabbing one from the parts counter, however.
Per that dealership’s instructions, we returned to the original dealership where we purchased the HondaLink cable kit — 40 miles away — only to be told that Honda’s procedure for replacement is for the owner to contact Honda’s Navigation Center via telephone; the cable kit is an Apple product, after all, and not under warranty by Honda. A service advisor sympathized with our unnecessary journey and compensated us by exchanging our broken kit for a new one, which isn’t protocol, but it completed the repair.
The diagnosing dealership thought the malfunctioning AV adapter also caused the iHeartRadio issue, but the HondaLink app remained unusable even with the intermittent screen problem solved. Realistically, it’s probably going to stay that way. Very few editors use HondaLink and iHeartRadio independently, so the fact that we can’t use iHeartRadio through HondaLink isn’t bothering anyone, especially considering audio still works using the regular USB input. We do wish our Fit offered Apple CarPlay, however.
