Known Faults Database

Honda Jazz problems, reliability and years to avoid

If you are considering buying a used Honda Jazz, these are the common problems worth knowing about first. Our garage database tracks 3 known faults for this model, 1 of them rated high severity. Every one below is a repair bill a seller has good reason not to mention.

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Is the Honda Jazz reliable?

The Honda Jazz has 3 known faults in our database across 2 generations, 1 of them rated high severity. The most serious are gearbox (the i-SHIFT automated manual gearbox, offered on the 1.4 until a CVT automatic replaced) and gearbox (manual gearbox bearing failure is a long-running weakness of the first). None of them makes the car a bad buy on its own; the risk is a seller who knows and says nothing.

That is a count of the faults we hold, not a reliability score. Popular cars get written about more, and a newer generation has had less time to show its faults.

Which Honda Jazz years should you avoid?

No year is a write-off on its own. What matters is which serious faults a given year and engine can have, and whether the car in front of you has had them fixed.

Mk1, 2002 to 2008
1 known fault, none rated high severity
Mk2, 2008 to 20151 high severity
2 known faults, the serious ones in the gearbox

Years and engines with a serious known fault

  • 2008 to 2011, 1.4 i-VTEC with i-SHIFT automated manual gearbox: the i-SHIFT automated manual gearbox, offered on the 1.4 until a CVT automatic

Each one is set out in full below, with the symptoms, the typical mileage and a rough repair cost.

Generation 1 of 21 known fault · 18 owner reports · 10 good notes

Honda Jazz Mk1 (2002 to 2008) problems

Bodywork/ChassisMedium severity💬 Owner reports

Rear wheel arch rust, starting at the leading edge of each arch just in front of the rear wheel, where a slot in the panel design collects stones, sand and salt. It is common enough on the Mk1 Jazz that model-specific arch repair panels are sold for it, and it undermines the car's otherwise excellent reliability reputation: the mechanicals outlast the arches. Once bubbling shows on the lip, the metal behind is usually far worse, and a proper repair is cut-and-weld, not filler.

Rough guide
£150-800

Typical symptoms

  • bubbling on the rear arch lip, usually starting at the front edge of the arch
  • rust staining running down from behind the arch
  • filler or a slightly wavy arch line from a cheap previous repair

Affected vehicles

Engines:
All
Typically appears:
10-20 years
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What owners report on the Mk1

18 single reports, unconfirmed

One owner each, in their own words rewritten as a line, and not counted in our risk scoring. A fault joins the list above once a second report or an editorial source backs it.

  • Gearbox and clutch · April 2019A 2005 Honda Jazz manual transmission developed bearing noise at 88,000 miles, reported shortly after purchase.
  • Bodywork · April 2019Water collected in the spare wheel well of a Jazz, traced to failed mastic in roof panel seams under plastic strips.
  • Bodywork · February 2019Water ingress into the spare tyre well of a Mark 1 Jazz was resolved by sealing thin cracks in roof rail gullies.
  • Bodywork · June 2018A 2006 Jazz experienced water leaking through roof seals, which a Honda dealer resealed and repainted for £120.
  • Gearbox and clutch · May 2018The CVT transmission of a 2006 Honda Jazz began to fail with hesitant changes, and fluid replacement did not resolve it.
  • Suspension and steering · May 2018The steering rack failed on a 2008 Honda Jazz 1.2 Mark 1, with replacement costs estimated at £600 to £800 plus labour.
  • Bodywork · January 2018A 2006 Honda Jazz with 35,000 miles had water draining into the spare wheel well due to a roof section weld failure.
  • Gearbox and clutch · August 2016An electromagnetic clutch failed on a 2008 Jazz 1.4iDTEC CVT-7, with a Honda dealer quoting £945 for replacement.
  • Engine · November 2015Replacing all eight spark plugs and ignition coils on a Honda Jazz 1.4iDSI engine cost £800 at a main dealer.
  • Gearbox and clutch · July 2015Transmission bearings failed on a 2005 Jazz 1.4iDSI at 40,000 miles, requiring repair.
  • Interior · March 2015The air conditioning of a seven-year-old Honda Jazz used in Italy froze and blocked after two to three hours of driving.
  • Electrics · August 2014A 2008 Jazz 1.4 I-DSI experienced intermittent hot re-starting problems, possibly due to an immobiliser or key fault.
  • Electrics · June 2014An airbag SRS failure was reported on a seven-year-old Jazz, with a Honda dealer quoting £600 for the repair.
  • Brakes · June 2013ABS failure was reported on a 2004 Jazz 1.4 with 60,000 miles, requiring attention.
  • Gearbox and clutch · January 2013A 2004 Jazz CVT suffered transmission judder, cured twice by automatic transmission fluid changes, one under warranty.
  • Electrics · December 2012A six-year-old Jazz required replacement of all its door locks after they became stiff and eventually stopped working, costing £576.
  • Suspension and steering · August 2012Wheel bearings on a Honda Jazz can fail after approximately eight years of use.
  • Gearbox and clutch · July 2011A three-year-old Jazz with 30,000 miles required a new clutch and clutch hydraulics.

What owners like about the Mk1

10 notes
  • The Honda Jazz achieved 100% breakdown-free status in a 2003 Which? survey, earning a 'Best Buy' recommendation.
  • The Honda Jazz was the top individual model in the 2004 J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey.
  • In a 2004 Which? survey, 99% of Jazz models up to two years old were breakdown-free over the preceding 12 months.
  • The Honda Jazz was recognised as a 'Best Buy' by Which? in 2004, specifically for used cars priced between £5,000 and £10,000.
  • The Jazz topped the 2005 JD Power/What Car Survey, achieving an 88.1% satisfaction score among 23,000 car owners.
  • The Jazz achieved a four-star rating for occupant protection and three stars for pedestrian safety in NCAP tests.
  • This model secured third place in the 2007 UK J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey, scoring 86.4%.
  • The Honda Jazz ranked fifth in the TUV 2008 Report for two to three-year-old cars, with a 2.3 percent defect rate.
  • The Jazz was the 10th least likely car built from 1997 to 2009 to suffer expensive problems, per Warranty Direct.
  • Warranty Direct rated the Jazz as the tenth most reliable car over the past fifteen years, based on their claims data.
Generation 2 of 22 known faults · 47 owner reports · 9 good notes

Honda Jazz Mk2 (2008 to 2015) problems

Transmission/ClutchHigh severity💬 3 owner reports, 2013 to 2018

The i-SHIFT automated manual gearbox, offered on the 1.4 until a CVT automatic replaced it in early 2011, can refuse to engage a gear, with the reverse or drive indicator flashing and the car going nowhere. Software faults have immobilised cars completely, one owner reported clutch shudder at 61,000 miles, and another car needed a replacement gearbox and then further gearbox work three years later.

Typical symptoms

  • reverse or drive indicator flashing with no gear engaged
  • car immobilised by a gearbox fault
  • shudder from the drivetrain when pulling away

Affected vehicles

Engines:
1.4 i-VTEC with i-SHIFT automated manual gearbox
Typical mileage:
unknown miles
3 more owner reports back this up
  • April 2018A 2008 Honda Jazz 1.4iVTEC i-shift transmission was replaced in 2015 and then required a "flush" in 2018.
  • June 2015Drivetrain shudder was reported on a 2008 Honda 1.4iVTEC I-Shift at 61,000 miles, likely indicating a clutch issue.
  • December 2013A 2009 Jazz i-shift experienced problems shifting into reverse, with the dashboard light blinking.
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Transmission/ClutchMedium severity💬 5 owner reports, 2013 to 2019

Manual gearbox bearing failure is a long-running weakness of the first and second generation Jazz. The gearbox turns noisy or starts to whine, sometimes within six months of new. Honda's early fix was a gearbox oil change to clear out metal particles, and later cars had new bearings fitted. Owners report bearing failures at 15,000 miles on one car and 40,000 on another, and one owner was left with a bill of £510 once Honda had paid for the parts and part of the labour. Honda is reported to have extended the manual gearbox warranty on 2003 to 2008 cars and has replaced many bearings or whole gearboxes under warranty, but at least one replacement gearbox turned noisy again.

Rough guide
£510

Typical symptoms

  • whine or rumble from the gearbox that rises with road speed
  • gearbox noise that changes on and off the throttle
  • noise returning after previous gearbox work

Affected vehicles

Engines:
1.2 and 1.4 petrol, manual gearbox
Typical mileage:
15000-88000 miles
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What owners report on the Mk2

47 single reports, unconfirmed

One owner each, in their own words rewritten as a line, and not counted in our risk scoring. A fault joins the list above once a second report or an editorial source backs it.

  • Engine · April 2023A 2017 Honda Jazz broke down on a motorway; the issue was later diagnosed as a faulty EGR valve, which was replaced.
  • Interior · December 2019A driver complained about an uncomfortable seat in a Honda Jazz, feeling like they were sitting on cinder blocks.
  • Electrics · November 2019A 2011 Honda Jazz experienced multiple door and hatchback lock failures, with some repaired under warranty and others privately.
  • Exhaust · November 2019A catalytic converter was stolen from a Honda Jazz; an aftermarket replacement caused an exhaust warning light to illuminate.
  • Exhaust · October 2019A catalytic converter was stolen from a Honda Jazz 1.4iVTEC, causing collateral damage to surrounding components.
  • Electrics · September 2019A 2015 Jazz 1.4iVTEC CVT-7 experienced intermittent VSA light illumination, refusal to shift from park, and acceleration issues.
  • Exhaust · August 2019The catalytic converter was stolen from a 2008 Honda Jazz, cut off by thieves using electric hacksaws.
  • Exhaust · August 2019A spate of catalytic converter thefts was reported due to the precious metals inside, easily accessed with electric hacksaws.
  • Electrics · August 2019A 2015 Honda Jazz TPMS system gave false alarms on a hot day after a tyre replacement, due to pressure disparity.
  • Electrics · July 2019The radio and hands-free phone of a May 2018 Honda Jazz malfunctioned after three months, and the dealer refused replacement.
  • Engine · July 2019A February 2019 Jazz 1.3i-VTEC CVT-7 experienced failing acceleration, unable to exceed 10 miles per hour.
  • Gearbox and clutch · June 2019A 2018 Honda Jazz 1.3iVTEC developed clutch judder from new, at 1,500 miles, with the dealer unwilling to remedy.
  • Interior · May 2019The air conditioning failed on a 2017 Honda Jazz 1.3iVTEC soon after a service, requiring re-gassing due to a condenser leak.
  • Engine · May 2019An October 2017 Honda Jazz with 8,000 miles cut out on four occasions while waiting at junctions, then restarted after minutes.
  • Interior · April 2019The heater in a 2011 Honda Jazz failed for a second time at 73,000 miles, with parts quoted at £500 and labour at £500.
  • Electrics · January 2019A 2017 Honda Jazz 1.5iVTEC Sport CVT-7 with 16,000 miles had parking sensors randomly switch off, requiring a module replacement.
  • Electrics · December 2018The ECU on a 2012 Honda Jazz failed, with a dealer quoting £1,476 for a new unit, possibly due to a wiring problem.
  • Electrics · July 2018The VSA (Vehicle Stability Assistance) light illuminated on a 2012 Honda Jazz.
  • Engine · June 2018A 2013 Honda Jazz 1.4iVTEC blew a spark plug clean out of the engine block at 73,000 miles.
  • Engine · May 2018A 2012 Honda Jazz 1.2S blew spark plug number two out of the engine block at 75,000 miles, causing power loss.
  • Electrics · May 2018The starter relay failed on a 2014 Honda Jazz, requiring replacement at a cost of £80.
  • Electrics · January 2018The valve-based Tyre Pressure Monitoring System on a Jazz was overly sensitive, triggering alarms for a mere 2PSI disparity.
  • Brakes · June 2017An ex-demo 1.3 i-VTEC Jazz purchased in February 2017 exhibited overly active power assistance to its brakes.
  • Interior · October 2016The air conditioning in a Jazz blew warm due to a leak from a valve deep behind the dashboard, requiring extensive dismantling.
  • Electrics · July 2016The Connect radio system on an October 2015 Jazz experienced problems that a software update did not resolve.
  • Gearbox and clutch · July 2016A March 2016 Honda Jazz 1.3iVTEC manual suffered from harsh clutch engagement and juddering from the drivetrain.
  • Suspension and steering · April 2016A TPMS valve broke off at a garage airline, costing £10 to replace but causing significant inconvenience.
  • Brakes · December 2015A new 2015/65 registration Honda Jazz experienced issues with its parking brake system sticking.
  • Electrics · October 2015Door lock actuators on a 2010 Honda Jazz stopped functioning correctly, necessitating a repair to the system.
  • Gearbox and clutch · May 2015A 2010 Jazz 1.4iVTEC had trouble shifting from second to first or third gear, especially when cold.
  • Gearbox and clutch · September 2014Transmission bearing failure occurred on a 2010 Jazz 1.2 with 15,000 miles; Honda contributed to the repair cost.
  • Interior · September 2014The air conditioning repeatedly failed on a 2011 Jazz 1.4 i-VTEC SE, approaching three years old.
  • Bodywork · February 2014A 2008 Jazz experienced repeated windscreen damage from stones, requiring three replacements during the car's life.
  • Gearbox and clutch · November 2013A three-year-old Jazz manual transmission developed a whine, leading to dealer replacement of bearings under warranty.
  • Suspension and steering · November 2013The 185/55 R16 Dunlop tyres on the Honda Jazz were criticised for cracking between treads and poor wear.
  • Suspension and steering · September 2013Front Dunlop tyres on a Jazz wore down to 2.5mm and 3mm after three years and 6,939 miles; Honda paid for replacements.
  • Brakes · July 2013A 7,000-mile Jazz had a parking brake problem, leading Honda to authorise replacement of rear discs and callipers.
  • Gearbox and clutch · July 2013The manual transmission of a January 2010 Jazz 1.4 i-VTEC was replaced under warranty but became noisy again.
  • Electrics · June 2013The electric power steering motor developed a problem on a Jazz at just over three years old.
  • Gearbox and clutch · February 2013The CVT transmission is unsuitable for some disabled conversions as it lacks hill start assist, causing roll-back.
  • Bodywork · November 2012The sharp rear edge of a front door on a 2012 Honda Jazz caused cuts to legs on two separate occasions.
  • Suspension and steering · October 2012A rear damper failed on one Honda Jazz, requiring attention to the suspension system.
  • Electrics · September 2012Jazz i-shift software failures are being reported, which can completely immobilise the vehicle.
  • Gearbox and clutch · September 2012The Jazz CVT-7 transmission, reintroduced in 2011, is not suitable for towing, and fitting a hitch voids the warranty.
  • Suspension and steering · May 2012Cracking between the treads of Dunlop tyres on a 2009 Jazz reached epidemic proportions, but Honda no longer replaces them free.
  • Suspension and steering · April 2012A high wear rate was reported for Dunlop SP Sport 2030 185/55 R16 tyres, lasting only 11,000 miles.
  • Suspension and steering · March 2012A high rate of front tyre wear was reported, with tyres rarely lasting beyond 15,000 miles.

What owners like about the Mk2

9 notes
  • The Honda Jazz achieved a 5-Star Euro NCAP rating in May 2009, with high scores for adult and child occupant protection.
  • The Honda Jazz was the second most reliable car in the 2009 Which? report.
  • The Honda Jazz was the top car for customer satisfaction in the Small Car Sector in the 2010 JD Power Survey.
  • The Swindon-built Jazz secured first place in the supermini sector of JD Power’s 2011 customer satisfaction survey.
  • The Swindon-built Jazz achieved first place in the supermini sector of JD Power’s 2012 customer satisfaction survey.
  • The passenger seat can recline fully, converting into a bed for added versatility and comfort.
  • The 1.3 i-VTEC CVT-7 engine, while not fast, can achieve exceptional economy, with 58mpg recorded on a country run.
  • Achieved a five-star Euro NCAP rating, demonstrating high levels of adult, child, and pedestrian safety.
  • The Tyre Pressure Monitoring System software can be adjusted to reduce sensitivity, accommodating non-standard tyres or spurious alerts.
Other years0 known faults · 3 good notes

Other Honda Jazz years: owner reports

What owners like

3 notes
  • This small car is extremely practical, featuring clever Magic Seats that enhance its interior versatility.
  • The efficient hybrid engine makes this model cheap to run, offering good fuel economy.
  • This model is considered more desirable than previous versions, reflecting improvements in design and features.

Sellers rarely admit these faults outright

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Honda Jazz recalls

Recall work is done by the manufacturer, and GOV.UK says you will not usually have to pay for it. These are the 19 DVSA recalls for the Jazz, newest first. They do not tell you whether this particular car has had the work: for that, put the registration into the free GOV.UK MOT history check, which shows a recall status where the manufacturer shares it, or ask a franchised dealer to check the VIN.

🏛️ August 2022Cars built January 2020 to January 2021

The front wide camera may not start up in the correct way after the vehicle has started

The front wide camera may not start up in the correct way after the vehicle is started.

Put right by: Change the software in the Front Wide Camera.

DVSA R/2022/22115,464 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ August 2020Cars built July 2017 to September 2019

Vehicles may be equipped with a fuel pump module manufactured with low density impellars

Affected vehicles may be equipped with a fuel pump module manufactured with low density impellers.

Put right by: The affected fuel pumps will be replaced.

DVSA R/2020/18640,895 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ August 2020Cars built August 2019 to September 2019

Due to incorrect manufacturing the rear seat belt assembly webbing sensor could become inoperative

The webbing sensor in the rear centre seat belt assembly could become inoperative.

Put right by: Check and if the seat belt is within the affected range the seat belt will be replaced.

DVSA R/2020/1941,036 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ August 2019Cars built November 2000 to December 2014

Possible air bag inflator rupture

Passenger air bag may not deploy correctly.

Put right by: The inflator inside the passengers airbag module is to be replaced.

DVSA R/2019/243122,397 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ August 2019Cars built December 2003 to November 2011

Possible air bag inflator rupture

Driver air bag may not deploy correctly.

Put right by: The inflator inside the drivers airbag module is to be replaced.

DVSA R/2019/24543 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ August 2019Cars built June 2007 to May 2014

Possible air bag inflator rupture

Driver air bag may not deploy correctly.

Put right by: The inflator inside the drivers airbag module is to be replaced.

DVSA R/2019/2468 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ January 2019Cars built February 2010 to May 2015

Takata passenger airbag inflator may rupture

Passenger airbag inflators may not operate as intended.

Put right by: Replacement of Airbag Assembly on affected vehicles.

DVSA R/2018/342239,654 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ February 2018Cars built December 2009 to May 2010

Passenger airbag may fail to deploy correctly

The propellant used in certain air bag inflators may degrade over time due to heat cycles and exposure to moisture. In the event that the airbag is activated it may overinflate due to overly aggressive combustion of the propellant. The excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to rupture and metal fragments may pass through the cushion material possibly causing severe injury to the vehicle occupants.

Put right by: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the airbag inflator unit.

DVSA R/2018/02940,596 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ March 2017Cars built July 2008 to January 2010

Airbag may fail to deploy correctly

Abnormal deployment pressure may lead to rupture of the passenger's air bag inflator case. In the event of an inflator rupture metal fragments could be propelled into the passenger compartment

Put right by: On affected vehicles replace the inflator inside the passenger's air bag module.

DVSA R/2017/01722,805 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ May 2016Cars built March 2004 to May 2015

Drivers airbag inflator may rupture if deployed

Abnormal deployment pressure may lead to rupture of the driver's air bag inflator case. In the event of an inflator rupture metal fragments could be propelled into the passenger compartment.

Put right by: On affected vehicles replace the inflator inside the driver's air bag module.

DVSA R/2016/045252,174 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ October 2015Cars built January 2007 to December 2011

Drivers airbag may rupture if deployed

Due to abnormal pressure the driver's air bag inflator case may rupture during deployment. In the event of an inflator rupture metal fragments could be propelled into the passenger compartment potentially causing injury to a vehicle occupant.

Put right by: On affected vehicles replace the inflator inside the drivers airbag module.

DVSA R/2015/14352,991 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ June 2015

Drivers airbag may rupture if deployed

Abnormal deployment pressure may lead to rupture of the inflator case. In the event of an inflator rupture metal fragments could be propelled into the passenger compartment potentially causing injury to a vehicle occupant.

Put right by: On affected vehicles replace the drivers airbag module.

DVSA R/2015/103121,686 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ June 2015Cars built December 2003 to December 2008

Passenger side airbag may fail to deploy correctly

Abnormal deployment pressure may lead to rupture of the inflator case. In the event of an inflator rupture metal fragments could be propelled upward toward the windshield or downward toward the front passengers foot well potentially causing injury to a vehicle occupant.

Put right by: On affected vehicles replace the inflator inside the front passengers airbag module with a new one.

DVSA R/2015/104242,653 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ March 2015Cars built January 2003 to December 2003

Passenger side airbag may fail to deploy correctly

The subject vehicles are equipped with front passenger airbag inflators which could have been assembled with improperly manufactured propellant wafers. Improperly manufactured propellant wafers could cause the inflator to rupture and the front passenger airbag to deploy abnormally in a crash. This could result in increased risk of injury to the occupant or in a thermal issue in the interior compartment which may lead to fire.

Put right by: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to inspect and where necessary replace the airbag inflator module.

DVSA R/2015/04331,135 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ January 2015Cars built June 2003 to September 2004

Drivers airbag may rupture if deployed

The drivers front airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure. If an affected airbag deploys the increased internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of an inflator rupture metal fragments could be propelled into the passenger compartment potentially causing injury to a vehicle occupant.

Put right by: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the inflator inside the drivers airbag module with a new one.

DVSA R/2014/15812,723 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ August 2013Cars built July 2001 to July 2008

Risk of fire

Water and other liquids may enter the driver's side power window switch and may cause damage switch failure overheating and potentially a fire.

Put right by: Recall affected vehicles and replace driver's side power window switch.

DVSA R/2013/076171,385 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ April 2013Cars built September 2001 to April 2003

Passenger side airbag may fail to deploy correctly

The subject vehicles are equipped with front passenger airbag inflators which could have been assembled with improperly manufactured propellant wafers. Improperly manufactured propellant wafers could cause the inflator to rupture and the front passenger airbag to deploy abnormally in a crash. This could result in increased risk of injury to the occupant or in a thermal issue in the interior compartment which may lead to fire.

Put right by: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to inspect and where necessary replace the airbag inflator module.

DVSA R/2013/049181,095 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ February 2013Cars built August 2010 to September 2012

Brake fluid may leak

The left hand front brake pipe may not be fully secure which could lead to the brake pipe chafing on the EGR pipe. If this occurs and remains unseen the damage could result in loss of brake fluid and the attendant loss of braking efficiency.

Put right by: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace and correctly secure the left hand front brake pipe.

DVSA R/2013/0139 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ July 2012

Transmission may malfunction

In rare circumstances the gear indicator may display neutral when the gearbox is in reverse gear. If this happens the vehicle may reverse unexpectedly and cause an incident.

Put right by: Recall vehicles likely to be affected to correct the unit software and inspect the reverse shift holder for deformation. Where necessary the reverse shift piece and shift holder will be replaced.

DVSA R/2012/07114,310 vehicles affected in the UK

Recall data published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency under the Open Government Licence v3.0. A recall listed here may not apply to every car of this model: the build dates and the registration check are what decide it.

Repair costs are typical UK ranges, not quotes. Actual cost depends on condition and garage.Data last verified: September 2026

Honda Jazz buying questions

What are the most common Honda Jazz problems?

Three stand out. Gearbox: the i-SHIFT automated manual gearbox, offered on the 1.4 until a CVT automatic replaced it in early. Gearbox: manual gearbox bearing failure is a long-running weakness of the first and second generation Jazz (typically 15000 to 88000 miles). Bodywork: rear wheel arch rust, starting at the leading edge of each arch just in front of the rear wheel. The full list above is grouped by generation, with typical mileage and a rough repair cost for each.

Which Honda Jazz years should I avoid?

No Honda Jazz year is a write-off, but the Mk2 (2008 to 2015) carries the most serious faults: gearbox. The Mk1 (2002 to 2008) has none rated high severity. Year matters less than whether the specific car has had the known fixes, so check the history for them.

What should I check when viewing a used Honda Jazz?

Ask the seller about the gearbox and bodywork faults on this page and whether they have been fixed, with invoices. On the test drive watch for reverse or drive indicator flashing with no gear engaged, whine or rumble from the gearbox that rises with road speed and bubbling on the rear arch lip, usually starting at the front edge of the arch. Read the MOT history for repeat advisories, then paste the advert into the free check, which reads it against all 3 known faults before you travel. Check a Honda Jazz advert →

Are there any recalls on the Honda Jazz?

The DVSA lists 19 safety recalls for the Honda Jazz issued between 2012 and 2022. The most recent, from August 2022, is "The front wide camera may not start up in the correct way after the vehicle has started". Recall work is done by the manufacturer, and GOV.UK says you will not usually have to pay for it. This list is by model, so it cannot tell you whether one particular car has had the work: the free GOV.UK MOT history check shows a recall status from the registration where the manufacturer shares it, and a franchised dealer can check the VIN.

What is the real MPG of a Honda Jazz?

Owners report 47.5 mpg on average across the Honda Jazz engines with data, about 92% of the official combined figure. The gap between official and real-world economy varies a lot by engine, so the Real MPG page lists every engine and generation separately, from 1,960 owner submissions. Honda Jazz Real MPG by engine →

Looking at a Honda Jazz right now? Check the advert before you go and see it.

Where this Honda Jazz fault data comes from

If you used to check the Honest John “Good & Bad” section before the site closed in 2026, this page is where that information now lives. We rebuilt the Honda Jazz owner-report history from the archived Honest John dataset, added our own research, specialist and owner-club sources and DVSA recall data, and we keep it free. Each fault above is badged with its source. The same data feeds our free advert check, which reads a listing against every known fault for the exact engine and year.

CarAdCheck is not affiliated with Honest John or Volkswagen Financial Services. What happened to Honest John, and where each feature lives now.

Before you go and see it

Knowing what a Honda Jazz goes wrong with is half of it. The rest is reading the advert and checking the car's history before you hand any money over.

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