Driving your Honda Jazz every day, you probably would not have noticed when the fault started but it is now very obvious. As you accelerate from a stop just after you get off idle, the car gives a shudder through the body of the car. Odds are on it started very mildly and progressively got worse to the point that it’s so bad it has forced you to google the fault.
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First up, this is a common fault that plagues almost every single automatic Honda Jazz that was released in the first series of the Jazz. The fault is caused by a part called a start clutch and is specific to the CVT transmission.
If you have read any of our other blogs you will know we advise against buying cars that are fitted with a CVT transmission. The reason for this is that the technology is still experimental and whilst it is now many years since its release it is still getting fine tuned. Many manufactures use them including Suzuki, Nissan and Mitsubishi. In this case, Honda was one of the early adaptors and got on board with the CVT technology long before they were perfected.
By the time the face lift model was released Honda had changed the CVT transmission in the Jazz and the fault stopped occurring.
Honda is well aware of the issue and has released multiple bulletins on it. The technical Honda description for the fault is “start clutch judder on acceleration”.
There are two possible solutions to this problem. The first has a mild success rate which is basically a change of the oil inside the transmission, however the process is a little more complicated than just drain and refill. The car needs to have the oil changed, the temperature at correct operating temperature and the transmission “loaded up”. The easiest way to do this is drive the car on a hoist with one foot on the brake and go through the gears. Then change the oil again insuring that you do this with the genuine Honda CVT oil.
The above mentioned repair sometimes does not work and in cases where it does, it only temporarily repairs the fault. The sure fired way to repair the fault is to replace the start clutch part with a revised Honda part. Honda has released a revised part that has superseded the faulty start clutch. This job does require the transmission to be stripped down and rebuilt, but if you ensure the revised part is used the fault should never be seen again.
We have rebuilt a few of these with the cost to the client coming in just shy of $1100. We estimate that the cost to do this repair through a reputable repairer, should set you back anywhere from $1000 – $1300
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Good Day, I find this article very interesting, as I live in South Africa and I am having this exact same problem. I have taking it up to Honda South Africa but they do not mention anything of the “start clutch” has Honda ever taking responsibility for this factory defect, and have they ever recalled or replaced this part at their cost.
In Australia, yes they have but only on vehicles still covered by manufacturers warranty and only after the customer complained about it a lot.
Hi Leo
did you have any luck having this fixed ?
I’m also in South Africa.
We complained several times and had the fluid changed in 2012 and again in 2013, while the car was under warranty. It fixed the problem, but it has now come back again and we will have to pay for it. Such bull sh*t. Honda should have replaced the faulty starter clutch in 2013 at their expense. Now we are facing the problem out of warranty.
Wondering what to do about it.
Exact same problem – Shudder while take off. Changed all the mounts, that stopped the engine from moving around, then now the transmission oil flush and refill. Hope it works.
Does it work?
Did the oil flush worked? In my case the computer said it was a problem with the EGR valve so I got it changed but the shudders on take off still persist. Also, does any one know of the consequence of not fixing the problem?? Any help will be much appreciated
The oil flush is only a temporary fix, it will always come back. You need to replace the start clutch. If you don’t do it eventually the clutch does fail and the car will not drive.
Thanks for posting information about start clutch modification on-line. Are you aware when Honda started fitting the upgrade to new models in Australia? I suspect Honda would not be forthcoming with this info.
I got the same problem of shuddering. How long can I drive my Honda in this condition till I can get a new start clutch fitted?
it depends on how bad it is and how much you drive. However hopefully this will help you out. we have one client who has put up with it for the past two years. Hers is getting rather savage now and I’m expecting it to fail anyway now. you normally have a bit of time up you sleeve before it all turns bad.
I have the same issue with my GD Jazz. I notice this shuddering only happens when I drive in D. If I have it on S it doesn’t happen. Not sure if anyone else is affected if on S
If it is only happening in S and not in D the fault is not your start clutch.
I suspect you have a misfire. these cars run a 1.3 and a 1.5. the 1.3 engine has eight spark plugs. this means the misfire does not feel like a normal miss.
check spark plugs and ignition coils.
What year did Honda start putting in the revised start clutch?
They never released them fitted to the vehicle. They new start clutch is a part sold in a cardboard box ready to fit to the transmission. This fault only happened to the first series of the Jazz.
Hi Dannie, would you know the Honda part number? I’m located in the Bahamas, and I imported my for from Japan, now I’m stuck trying to deal with the problem .
I’ve done some googling and have found this part number, but not sure if it’s correct “06221pwr406” or “06221pwr416”.
I have a GD1
Hi i have a 2006 jazz. The shudder has got really bad and almost undriveable and the engine light is on and d flashes. I want to get it fixed properly and see your shop has alot of experience with these. The rego is out of date but like I said car is almost undriveable, so I would get it towed to you. Is this a problem?
This shudder noise happens when im in D and when i want to reversed will go front and back and then do want i want which is reversing or parking.
My brothers always teach me about cars so, don’t worries i will understand mostly all.help!!!please
I love the questions and answers.
It is wonderful so you don’t have just one answer but many options
GREAT .I LOVE THIS WAY OF KNOWING ALMOST ALL.👏👏👏
I started having this problem around 100K mark, since then I have changed the CVT oil every 15-20K instead of the recommended 40K, and also I check the level every 5K and generally have to top up a little (100-200ml only). The problem is still there but hasn’t seemed to have got any worse since….now on 200K…..nice to know what is causing it though and what I will likely need doing at some stage…..thx
Hello Guys,
i have the same problem with my Honda fit 2003. i have changed the gearbox twice both have failed to work, that is the car fail to move. when you lift the tyres and put the it drive the wheels turns but the moment you put it on the ground it cant pull itself. what can i do? Please i need help. whatsup me on +260964937904
Stop putting second hand gearboxes in the car. Get it assessed and rebuilt by someone who knows automatic transmissions.
My Honda fit 2004 have the same shudder problem during take off 0-10km speed.
Could anyone pleasr advise how much it will cost to fix in $ and what is the consequences if it is not fixed. Is it really endanger for the car ?
Thanks in advance!
Great article and well explained, keep up the good work.
Hi, I got this car when my father decided to upgrade himself to the newer one at 93K km. He didn’ t feel the shudder. But at approx 100K it was unbearable and someone said to me to add some CVT Honda Transmission oil. It helped for a while but now at 112K it comes back/ I phoned to the Honda central service station in Israel in order to know either it was a recall for this type of a fault and they said that it was for safety bags only(and then they fixed it for free). Then in the garage who is specializing in automatic gearbox I was shocked when I got two opportunities: 1 fix the start-clutch disk at 3600 NIS + 17 % VAT, 2. to refill an oil (approx 3L x 70 NIS),
The 1- fixes the fault forever, and the 2- temporally’ but the 1 is including also the 2 :-). Daniel ,Please give me a piece of advice.(1USD =3.6 NIS)
Replace the start clutch. it will fix it.
Is the start clutch replacement could be a reason of the ignition coil fault (Sorry for this stupid question , but who knows 🙂 )
No. two different faults.
Great article, thanks!
I’m just wondering, if this is a recognised manufacturers fault surely they have a duty of care to repair the faulty item?
Seems to me they have sold a faulty product that can’t last the anticipated distance and may be dangerous, certainly accelerating across/into an intersection.
Thoughts please?
How about dept. of fair trade being involved?