MajorCommonTransmission

Honda Jazz: CVT Start Clutch Judder on Takeoff

CVT Start Clutch Judder on Takeoff is a common transmission fault on the Honda Jazz on the 2002–2008 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $300 to $3,500 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: 2002–2008
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 Clutch yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The CVT start clutch is an internal component that engages drive from rest. As the proprietary transmission fluid additives deplete with age and mileage, the clutch loses the friction properties needed to engage smoothly. The result is a pronounced shudder or judder felt through the car when pulling away from a standstill. Honda confirmed the fault via Service Bulletin 2010-12-018 and extended the warranty to 7 years or 160,000 km for affected vehicles. The fix requires a full drain-and-refill with genuine Honda HMMF/CVT-F fluid, a warm drive cycle, a second fluid change, and ECU recalibration. If the fluid flush does not resolve the shudder, the revised start clutch assembly must be replaced.

What you would notice

Shuddering or juddering sensation when pulling away from a standstill
Vibration felt through the floor and seats at low speeds under light acceleration
Symptom disappears once vehicle reaches 20–30 km/h
Worsens after extended idling or in cold weather

How to check it

Where to look. CVT transaxle — internal start clutch assembly

During test drive, accelerate gently from a complete stop multiple times and note any vibration or shudder through the drivetrain.
Check service history for CVT fluid changes using only genuine Honda fluid.
Ask the dealer or seller whether Honda Bulletin 2010-12-018 was applied and whether the start clutch was replaced under warranty extension.

Parts involved: Clutch.

What it costs to put right

$300 to $3,500 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 been flushed with genuine Honda HMMF/CVT-F fluid, and when?”
“Was Honda Service Bulletin 2010-12-018 performed under the 7-year warranty extension?”
“Has the start clutch ever been replaced?”

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 start clutch judder on takeoff serious on a Honda Jazz?

We rate it major and common on the Honda Jazz. The CVT start clutch is an internal component that engages drive from rest. As the proprietary transmission fluid additives deplete with age and mileage, the clutch loses the friction properties needed to engage smoothly. The result is a pronounced shudder or judder felt through the car when pulling away from a standstill. Honda confirmed the fault via Service Bulletin 2010-12-018 and extended the warranty to 7 years or 160,000 km for affected vehicles. The fix requires a full drain-and-refill with genuine Honda HMMF/CVT-F fluid, a warm drive cycle, a second fluid change, and ECU recalibration. If the fluid flush does not resolve the shudder, the revised start clutch assembly must be replaced.

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

$300 to $3,500 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 2002–2008 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?

During test drive, accelerate gently from a complete stop multiple times and note any vibration or shudder through the drivetrain. Check service history for CVT fluid changes using only genuine Honda fluid. Ask the dealer or seller whether Honda Bulletin 2010-12-018 was applied and whether the start clutch was replaced under warranty extension. Look here: CVT transaxle — internal start clutch assembly