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My partner is contemplating the purchase of a 2002-2005 Honda Jazz Sport Auto. We have heard a story that the CVT transmission can give trouble and require expensive repair. Have you had this fault reported to you or is it an isolated case? Is the Jazz sport a reliable Honda product as far as mechanical reliability is concerned? Does it have a cam belt or timing chain? If a belt, at what mileage is the required replacement? Any information on running costs would be welcome. Thank you.
Chris Clark
The main problem is a shudder on take-off and can be easily detected if you were to carry out a full throttle hill start or accelerate slightly aggressively from a standing start on the flats.
From around 2004 onwards the problem seems to be pretty much sorted so the later the model the better.
Not to say the early models should be totally avoided as they may well have been repaired by the Honda network in NZ and fitted with countermeasure parts.
The used import version of the NZ new Jazz is called a Honda Fit and this is where I would exercise greater caution.
Overall the Jazz is a great little car, its main attraction being its usable and vast interior space which matches or betters many bigger cars.
The engine runs a timing chain so no cam belt replacement worries. It does however have a duel spark plug per cylinder engine which can push up service costs come plug replacement time.
Hi,
Could you please advise that where should I buy the transmission fluid for my Honda Fit 2004 automatic as I searched online and I think it uses some specific oil which you cannot buy from anywhere. It is a recent import and has done 81000kms. Would you recommend me to change the spark plugs and transmission oil in it as these two things cause known problems in Honda Fit.
Thanks
The CVT transmission fluid can be bought from a Honda agent/dealer. The CVT transmission on the Fit doesn't have the best reputation so I would strongly suggest you stick with the genuine oil. If you don't know when last the vehicle has had a service then it might be a good time to book the vehicle in with a mechanic to be serviced. I wouldn't replace the spark plugs unnecessarily but a mechanic should be able to give you an idea of the condition and advise if they need replacing.