Ask an expert
I have recently purchased a 2002 Honda Fit.
There is slight shuddering when it starts from a stop. Can you tell me if this has something to do with the Constant Variable Transmission (CVT).
Sudhakar
From the "Ask Jack" archives - 1 October 2009
Yes, this is a very common problem with the Honda Jazz / Honda Fit transmissions of this year. I strongly advise you take the car to your nearest Honda dealer.
They will have a number of options starting from changing the transmission fluid to dismantling the transmission.
The problem is related to what is called the 'start clutch' which is activated by oil pressure on take off.
Definitely try the fluid change if that is what is recommended, it is certainly the cheapest option and it may fix the shudder.
Hi there I am interested in this thread as I am looking at buying a 2006 Honda Fit. I have spoken to Honda about this known fault and have taken the car for a test drive with no shudder. I was going to take out a mechanical warranty on the car for three years but I don't know if I am crazy looking at a car with a known problem? I know that most cars have an issue of one sort or another.
At the end of the day, it seems that you are going into this purchase with your eyes wide open and it's entirely your decision. Make sure that the warranty on it definitely covers the transmission in its entirely (ie:full, no quibbles, 100% cover!).
While you are quite right, cars are made of mechanical, moving parts so things will go wrong, however, with problems such as the CVT transmission, as these cars age, they get to a point where the cost of repair becomes more than the value of the vehicle.
Thanks for your swift reply. Do you know if the problem continued with the later models? I.e. the 2006? I don't want to buy a car that is more than likely to have this problem, but if it is "just a chance" then maybe!
The Honda Jazz CVT issue continued up until the end of 2008 when the new model was launched and Honda dropped the CVT and reverted back to the old 4 speed auto.
It's impossible to say what the chances of failure are, other than to say that it is not uncommon for them to fail.