Reliability and common problems · Honda
Honda Jazz reliability and common problems
5 sourced problems for cars built from 2012, generation by generation — what Honda has acknowledged kept apart from what the motoring press reports. Choose the year, fuel and engine size to see the ones for a particular car.
Free · no signup · researched from manufacturer statements and motoring publications
How reliable is the Honda Jazz? What the evidence shows
We don't give the Jazz a reliability score — no public source measures breakdowns, warranty claims or repair costs across every model, so a single number would be invented. This is what we can source for cars built from 2012.
- Acknowledged by Honda
- 0
- Warranty extensions, goodwill schemes and service actions in our research
- Reported by the press
- 5
- Each by two or more independent publishers
By generation
- Jazz Mk4 (GR, e:HEV hybrid, incl. Crosstar) (2020 on)0 acknowledged · 0 reported
- Jazz Mk3 (GK) (2015–2020)0 acknowledged · 2 reported
- Jazz Mk2 (GE) (2008–2015)0 acknowledged · 3 reported
Newer generations have had less time on the road for problems to show, so a short list is not a clean bill of health.
Where these come from: our research is built from manufacturer statements and motoring publications, most of them British. A warranty extension or goodwill scheme described here may have been offered in another country only — ask a dealer here whether it applies to your car.
Jazz Mk4 (GR, e:HEV hybrid, incl. Crosstar) (2020 on)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
Nothing reported that met our bar of two independent publishers.
Jazz Mk3 (GK) (2015–2020)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
- Reported by 2 publishersClutch & flywheel
Clutch judder and fierce take-up on early cars
Some early third-generation Jazz manuals suffered clutch problems, with owners reporting a fierce take-up and judder when pulling away. Check the clutch feels smooth on a test drive; lots of short urban driving also wears clutches early.
Applies to: Jazz Mk3 (2015–2020) with the manual gearbox
Manual gearbox only; the make, model and year can't tell us the gearbox type.
- Reported by 2 publishersScreen, sat-nav & audio
Honda Connect infotainment and sat-nav faults
Early cars had problems with the Honda Connect touchscreen, radio and factory sat-nav, some not cured by software updates. Check the screen, radio, Bluetooth and navigation all work before buying.
Applies to: Jazz Mk3 (2015–2020) with the touchscreen (SE and above)
Only cars with the Honda Connect touchscreen; entry-level S models have a simpler radio. The picker doesn't record the trim.
Jazz Mk2 (GE) (2008–2015)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
- Reported by 2 publishersBody & corrosion
Water in the boot's underfloor compartment
Water getting into the underfloor storage well in the boot after heavy rain is a common Jazz complaint, usually from a failed boot seal (one report blames badly fitted grommets). A new seal is a cheap fix, but check the well is dry and nothing has corroded.
Applies to: Jazz Mk2 (2008–2015)
- Reported by 2 publishersGearbox
Manual gearbox whine from worn bearings
The manual gearbox can become noisy, with a whine from the transmission bearings that sometimes needs them replacing. Honest John calls it a long-standing Jazz weakness and suggests regular gearbox oil changes to clear metal particles. Listen for whine on a test drive.
Applies to: Jazz Mk2 (2008–2015) with the manual gearbox
Manual gearbox only; the make, model and year can't tell us the gearbox type.
- Reported by 2 publishersSuspension
Front tyres wearing out quickly
Fast or uneven front tyre wear is widely reported on this Jazz, with some sets lasting barely 18,000–24,000 km, and tyres perishing early. Uneven wear can point to the alignment being out, and unusual tyre sizes on some versions make replacements dearer.
Applies to: Jazz Mk2 (2008–2015)
These describe the model, not one car. Plenty of cars never have the problems their model is known for. Every problem links to its sources; a reported problem needs two independent publishers before we list it.
Recalls aren't listed here. A franchised dealer can tell you from the VIN whether a recall is open on a particular car.
Common questions
Is the Honda Jazz reliable?
We don't score reliability: no public source records breakdowns, warranty claims or repair costs across every model, so a single rating would be guesswork. What we hold for Honda Jazz cars built from 2012: 0 problems Honda has acknowledged, through a warranty extension, goodwill scheme or service action, and 5 reported by at least two independent publishers — listed above by generation, each with its sources. Which matter depends on the generation and engine, and on whether the work has been done, which a service history check shows.
What are the most common Honda Jazz problems?
For cars built from 2012, the problems at least two independent publishers report include: Clutch judder and fierce take-up on early cars; Honda Connect infotainment and sat-nav faults; Water in the boot's underfloor compartment; Manual gearbox whine from worn bearings; Front tyres wearing out quickly. Which apply depends on the generation and engine — they are listed generation by generation above, each with its sources.
Has Honda acknowledged problems with the Jazz?
We haven't found a warranty extension, goodwill scheme or service action in which Honda acknowledged a problem on this model. The reported problems above come from the motoring press.
Does every Jazz have these problems?
No. These describe the model; many cars never have them, and a well-maintained car is less likely to. Whether a known problem was fixed is what a service history shows: our check returns the manufacturer's dealer records by VIN, and there's no charge if we find nothing.
Has this car had the work done?
A known problem matters far less on a car whose dealer records show it was fixed. A service history check returns the manufacturer's own dealership records for a specific car, found by its VIN — what was done, when and at what mileage — and there's no charge if we find nothing.
Check a car's service history