MajorCommonTransmission

Honda Jazz: CVT MFHA belt judder under light throttle

CVT MFHA belt judder under light throttle is a common transmission fault on the Honda Jazz on the 2013–2020 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $180 to $6,500 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 51 documented faults on the Honda Jazz.

Vehicle: Honda Jazz
Years: 2013–2020
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: cvt
System: Transmission

This page covers the Honda Jazz 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 Jazz faults51 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the CVT belt and pulleys yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The Honda MFHA CVT unit fitted to GK Jazz exhibits a characteristic vibration or judder under light throttle during slow urban acceleration and stop-start driving. The push-belt slips on pulley faces when CVT fluid degrades or incorrect fluid spec is used. Honda issued revised HCF-2 fluid specification and a TCU software update to address the condition. Fluid change resolves mild cases; severe or long-neglected cases require full CVT replacement costing several thousand dollars.

What you would notice

Shudder or vibration under very light throttle between 20 and 50 km/h
Judder most noticeable in slow stop-start urban traffic
Vibration transmitted through floor and seat cushion
Condition improves temporarily after CVT fluid change
May set DTC P17F0 or P17F1 in advanced stages

How to check it

Where to look. CVT transmission unit push-belt and primary/secondary pulley assembly

Drive in slow stop-start urban cycle and apply very light throttle from rest.
A distinct repetitive shudder indicates push-belt slip.
Check CVT fluid colour and smell as dark or burnt fluid confirms degradation.
Verify Honda HCF-2 fluid specification has been used in all prior services.

Parts involved: CVT belt and pulleys.

What it costs to put right

$180 to $6,500 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 what fluid type was used?”
“Any shudder or vibration sensation when pulling away gently from lights?”
“Has a Honda dealer performed the TCU software update for CVT judder?”

Now check the Honda Jazz 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 Jazz buyer questions

Is cvt mfha belt judder under light throttle serious on a Honda Jazz?

We rate it major and common on the Honda Jazz. The Honda MFHA CVT unit fitted to GK Jazz exhibits a characteristic vibration or judder under light throttle during slow urban acceleration and stop-start driving. The push-belt slips on pulley faces when CVT fluid degrades or incorrect fluid spec is used. Honda issued revised HCF-2 fluid specification and a TCU software update to address the condition. Fluid change resolves mild cases; severe or long-neglected cases require full CVT replacement costing several thousand dollars.

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

$180 to $6,500 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 Jazz years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2013–2020 Honda Jazz. 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.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Drive in slow stop-start urban cycle and apply very light throttle from rest. A distinct repetitive shudder indicates push-belt slip. Check CVT fluid colour and smell as dark or burnt fluid confirms degradation. Verify Honda HCF-2 fluid specification has been used in all prior services. Look here: CVT transmission unit push-belt and primary/secondary pulley assembly