MajorCommonTransmission

Honda Freed: CVT Start-Clutch Judder Under Light Throttle

CVT Start-Clutch Judder Under Light Throttle is a common transmission fault on the Honda Freed on the 2016 onward cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $250 to $5,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 23 documented faults on the Honda Freed.

Vehicle: Honda Freed
Years: 2016 onward
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: cvt
System: Transmission

This page covers the Honda Freed as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Honda Freed faults23 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Clutch yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The CVT7 belt-type transmission used in GB5 petrol Freed models is prone to a shuddering or juddering sensation felt most strongly during light-throttle acceleration from rest and at low speeds around 20–40 km/h. The root cause is degradation of the friction modifier additives in Honda HCF-2 fluid, which allows micro-slippage at the start-clutch engagement point. Honda issued TSB 17-015 and related bulletins addressing this across L15B-equipped CVT models, prescribing a complete fluid exchange and in persistent cases start-clutch replacement.

What you would notice

Rhythmic shudder or vibration felt through the cabin during gentle acceleration from rest
Judder most pronounced between 20–40 km/h at light throttle
Sensation mimics driving over a rumble strip at low speed
Hesitation or surging feeling when maintaining steady light throttle
Fault codes P1890 or P1891 (CVT shift control system) may appear in advanced cases

How to check it

Where to look. CVT assembly under the bonnet, transverse-mounted beside the engine

During the test drive, accelerate gently from rest on a flat road using light throttle at around 20–40 km/h and feel for a vibration or shudder through the floor or seat. Try pulling away slowly from a steep hill. Check the CVT fluid service history — fluid should be changed every 40,000–50,000 km. Note any hesitation, surge, or vibration at steady light throttle cruise.

Parts involved: Clutch.

What it costs to put right

$250 to $5,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the CVT fluid ever been changed, and if so, when and at what mileage?”
“Has any shuddering or juddering been noticed during gentle acceleration or pulling away?”
“Has any transmission-related work or software update been performed at a Honda dealer?”

Now check the Honda Freed you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Honda Freed buyer questions

Is cvt start-clutch judder under light throttle serious on a Honda Freed?

We rate it major and common on the Honda Freed. The CVT7 belt-type transmission used in GB5 petrol Freed models is prone to a shuddering or juddering sensation felt most strongly during light-throttle acceleration from rest and at low speeds around 20–40 km/h. The root cause is degradation of the friction modifier additives in Honda HCF-2 fluid, which allows micro-slippage at the start-clutch engagement point. Honda issued TSB 17-015 and related bulletins addressing this across L15B-equipped CVT models, prescribing a complete fluid exchange and in persistent cases start-clutch replacement.

How much does it cost to fix on a Honda Freed?

$250 to $5,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Honda Freed years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2016 onward Honda Freed. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.