Honda Jazz 2011 Problems

Jazz is the smallest Honda sold in Australia and since its launch in October 2002 it has gained an excellent reputation for build quality and trouble free running. Style is also part of the equation and the Honda designers have come up with a tall machine that has plenty of character, yet doesn’t look like everything else in its class.Honda Jazz has a high roofline to maximise interior space in what is a relatively short body. It can seat four adults with little compromising on legroom so can be used as a family car even with kids in their teenage years. In Australia the Jazz is more likely to carry either a couple or a family with young children.There’s reasonably easy entry to the back seat, but some may find the rear door opening is a little tight in the original model. Jazzes sold from the new model of 2008 provide easier access.Honda Jazz has one of the best folding rear seat designs you will find anywhere. The rear seat slides backwards and forwards to let you choose your own compromise between people and/or luggage. The seat can be folded in a few moments to create a huge luggage area.Additionally, the front passenger seat backrest can be reclined all the way down to let you carry long loads extending from the dashboard to the rear window. Build quality is of particular interest as the Honda Jazz comes from Thailand, not Japan, to keep its price down.We have visited Honda’s Thai plant and came away impressed, though hardly surprised, to note Honda's big emphasis on quality control. In August 2008 Honda introduced a new Jazz that looked the same as the first generation, but was actually a major evolution of the old.The gen-two car is larger and sits on a longer wheelbase, so has significantly more space inside, particularly in the rear area of the cabin. Boot space increased and the 60/40 split rear seats could be folded flat without having to move the front seats a few notches forward as in the original model.At the same time the body was more rigid to improve NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness). The post-08 Honda Jazz has the sort of refinement that normally required a car a size larger.Handling of the little Honda is good if roads are reasonably smooth, but the older models can be bounced about on Aussie backroad bumps. On surfaces that suit it, the Jazz turns in easily, is happy to change direction in corners and is generally well set up for everyday driving. Keen drivers aren’t likely to be impressed, but it’s not that sort of car.Honda Jazz comes with a 1.3- or 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine. Though the engine sizes remained in the second-generation Jazz, they were actually all new designs. Power and torque were both increased, yet fuel consumption and exhaust emissions decreased.Best of all, the second generation engines, from 2008, have their torque spread over a wide range, with particular emphasis on the lower end of the tacho dial. The gen-one Jazz has a continuously variable transmission (CVT).The 1.5 CVT comes with a sports mode offering seven preset gear ratios operated by steering wheel shifters. The 1.3-litre engine runs purely as an automatic. Honda decided to go back to a conventional torque-converter automatic transmission in the gen-two Jazz as some potential buyers didn’t like the characteristics of the CVT, particularly the way it selected relatively high engine revs to gain maximum efficiency.An interesting new hybrid powertrain was added to the options list in early 2013. The extra charge for the clean, green petrol-electric drive system isn’t as high as it has been in the past, so buyers keen on minimising climate change are showing a lot of interest in the Jazz Hybrid.While the Jazz is reasonably easy for the amateur mechanic to work on, there is some underbonnet crowding that’s inevitable on a car of this size. Keep some band aids handy – and don’t forget the workshop manual.The Honda Australia dealer network is widespread in the heavily populated areas. Spare parts prices for Hondas are more reasonable now than they have been in the past thanks to a strong push on getting costs down over the last few years.Insurance charges for the Honda Jazz generally sit in the mid-range of the field. It’s always wise to spend some time shopping around for the best deal, though there isn’t a big spread on premiums.WHAT TO LOOK FORCheck that the engine starts easily and responds quickly and positively to the throttle, even when it’s completely cold.A continuously variable transmission should be crisp in its reactions to changes in throttle position and road conditions. Because a CVT transmission sounds and feels different to conventional automatics, have an expert drive it if you are not confident it’s working correctly.Make sure the brakes stop the car without any pulling to one side and that no one wheel locks while the others are still turning.Bodywork should be undamaged and free from rust. Corrosion is not common unless the car has been poorly repaired after a smash.Look over the interior to make sure it hasn’t suffered at the hands of uncaring owners, especially bored young kids.CAR BUYING TIPSpend just as much time shopping around for the best deals on finance and insurance as you do for the car itself.

The Jazz arrived here in 2002 and quickly won fans with its easy driving nature and roomy and flexible cabin.

Jazz is the smallest Honda model sold in Australia. Launched here in October 2002, the latest edition Jazz was introduced in 2014. It has caused quite a few of the older models to be traded in, so there may be some bargains as dealers work to shift the trade-ins from their yards.To keep the price down the Jazz is built in Thailand. We have visited Honda's Thai plant and can attest to Honda's emphasis on quality control.Honda Jazz has a high roofline to maximise interior space in what is a relatively small bodyHandling of the little Honda is good if roads are reasonably smooth, but it can be bounced about on bumps. On surfaces that suit it, the Jazz turns in easily, is happy to change direction in corners and is generally well set up for everyday driving. Enthusiastic drivers may find it a little lacking in steering precision.Honda Jazz has a high roofline to maximise interior space in what is a relatively small body. It can seat four adults without too much compromising on legroom. In Australia it's more likely to carry one or two people, but we've spoken to families with young children, who say their Jazz meets their needs and are more than impressed with the car.The Jazz has one of the best folding rear seat designs of them allThere's reasonably easy entry to the back seat, but some may find the rear door opening is a little tight in the original 2002 model. Those sold from the new model of August 2008 are much better.The Jazz, indeed many Hondas, has one of the best folding rear seat designs of them all. The seat slides backwards and forwards to let you juggle between people and/or luggage. Even better, it can be folded in a few seconds to create a very large luggage area. The front passenger seat backrest can be reclined all the way down to let you carry long loads extending from the dashboard to the rear window.August 2008 saw the introduction of the second generation Jazz. It kept the same general styling theme as the gen-one, but is larger overall and sits on a longer wheelbase. The result is significantly more room inside, particularly in the rear area of the cabin. Boot space increased and the 60/40 split rear seats can be folded flat without having to slide the front seats a few notches forward as in the original model.At the same time the body was more rigid to improve NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) entry into the cabin.Honda Jazz comes with a 1.3- or 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine. Though the engine sizes remained in the second-generation Jazz, they were an all-new design. Power and torque were increased, yet fuel consumption and exhaust emissions came down. The torque graph was stretched to give more grunt at the bottom end of the rev range.The gen-one Jazz has a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The 1.5 CVT comes with a sports mode offering seven preset gear ratios, it's controlled though steering wheel paddles. The 1.3-litre engine runs purely as an automatic.Controversially, Honda decided to go back to a conventional torque-converter automatic transmission in the gen-two Jazz, saying some drivers didn't like the characteristics of the CVT.While the Jazz is reasonably easy for the amateur mechanic to work on, there is some under-bonnet crowding that's inevitable on a car of this size. Keep a workshop manual at your side and don't attempt any safety related work unless you're qualified to do so.If you want a Honda Jazz with a larger boot you can choose the Honda CityThe Honda Australia dealer network is widespread in the heavily populated areas, but isn't all that established in remote areas. We seldom hear of any real hassles with getting hold of spare parts, but if you are concerned about this it may be smart to make local enquiries before falling too deeply in love with one of these cute little models. Spare parts prices for Hondas are more reasonable now than they have been in the past.Insurance costs for Honda Jazz generally sit in the mid-range of the field. There doesn't appear to be any real differentiation between companies on premium charges. It's always wise to spend some time shopping around for the best deal, though.If you want a Honda Jazz with a larger boot you can choose the Honda City, a Jazz with a four-door sedan rear end.Check that the engine starts easily and responds quickly and positively to the throttle, even when it's completely cold.A continuously variable transmission should react quickly to changes in throttle position and road conditions. As a CVT sounds and feels different to conventional automatics, have an expert drive it if you are not confident it's working correctly.Make sure the brakes stop the car without any pulling to one side and that no one wheel locks while the others are still turning.It makes a lot of sense to get a professional inspection after carrying out initial checksLook over the interior to make sure it hasn't suffered at the hands of uncaring owners, especially bored young kids.Bodywork should be undamaged and free from rust. Corrosion is not common unless the car has been poorly repaired after a smash.As always, it makes a lot of sense to get a professional inspection after carrying out initial checks to the best of your ability.

IT wasn't too long ago that the cheapest class of new car was something of a driveaway then chuckaway choice.Hyundai's Excel was a game-changing device that appealed not so much for its compact, urban-friendly size, but because here was a functional new car for $13,990 with five years' warranty coverage. If it was a rudimentary device, it was also less than half the price of a new Commodore or Falcon -- the default choices in those days. Great numbers of these were used, abused (many a bonnet was never so much as opened, let alone routine maintenance performed) and, yes, chucked away for whatever trade-in or private buy could be eked. Much has changed.While still driven by price -- a new Suzuki Alto has an $11,790 starting price -- the city car segment is no more driven by that than any. These are proper cars, stuffed with the technical, safety and feature comfort equipment of anything bigger and more expensive -- think the full outfit of airbags, the latest engines and Bluetooth streaming.At least the most recent are, which is why those you see on this page are no more than five years old. Competition is feverish for the 130,000-odd annual sales in this segment.As the weekday traffic conditions of Melbourne and Sydney have increasingly come to resemble those of Rome or London, it's started to dawn on us that small of size (less than 4m long) and frugal of thirst (under 6L/100km) is just what's required for a commute that's typically less than 15km.They're also sound family second cars, useful for a dash down the shops, and ideal for the leaner driver in your clan. Being small and not over imbued with power, a city car is a great starting point for the L-Plater to acquire the basics.HOT TIPSManuals almost always work better with small engines.Cheap cars aren't always maintained so buy from a dealer.Ensure your selection has the latest safety upgrades -- they used to be optional on city cars.2011 Honda Jazz GLI GEEngine: 1.3-litre 4-cylinder petrolTransmission: 5-speed automaticThirst: 6.6L/100km CARSGUIDE SAYSThe spacious and practical Jazz is a favourite for its use of interior space. The 2011 safety upgrades bring it up to class standard.2007 Toyota YarisEngine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrolTransmission: 5-speed manualThirst: 5.8L/100km CARSGUIDE SAYSThere's been a new generation Yaris since but it retains much of this car's hardware. Indeed, some argue the interior fit and finish is superior on the older car. If this automatic sedan is about to see 100,000km, we know owners who are happily north of 150,000 with nothing to complain of.2008 Mazda 2 GenkiEngine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrolTransmission: 5-speed automaticThirst: 6.8L/100km CARSGUIDE SAYSThe first of Mazda's jellybean 2s still sells on looks alone five years after it replaced the staid, boxy first generation model. The 100K on the clock is generally no big deal. Against the high klicks is the kit of the top spec Genki, which came with the full complement of safety kit airbags which were originally optional on the lesser variances.

Honda Australia is working around the clock to replace 600,000 potentially faulty airbags.