Honda Civic
The 1.3L i-VTEC in the Jazz GE and Civic FN is one of Honda's most robust small-engine designs. Few engine-specific weaknesses; typical problems are vehicle-related.
Rev-happy with little torque
100 hp i-VTEC in the Jazz GE: nice character in the upper rev range with precise shifting. Sluggish low down, strained on the motorway. Honest and solid for a small car.
Engine Weaknesses 3
As across the entire Jazz GE range, the A/C compressor is a known weak point on the L13Z engine. The magnetic clutch and shaft seal fail most frequently.
Symptoms: A/C no longer cools, loud clicking or rattling when A/C is switched on
The L13Z's i-Shift automated gearbox shows elevated clutch wear in frequent urban stop-start use. The manual version is preferable for predominantly short-trip driving.
Symptoms: Judder on pull-away in urban traffic, delayed gear engagement in i-Shift mode
On all Jazz GE models the rear brake drums or discs seize when the car is used infrequently. Regular inspection and cleaning at service intervals is recommended.
Symptoms: Squealing or grinding at the rear wheels after extended standstill
Vehicle Weaknesses 7
The electric power steering (EPS) can fail suddenly — the steering wheel becomes heavy without warning. Affects the 8th generation (2006–2011); Honda carried out a recall.
Several recalls were carried out across the entire 8th generation for faulty airbags. There was also a recall for 2008–2010 models due to possible detachment of the water pump pulley.
The rear torsion beam can crack at high mileages — particularly at the hub carrier arm. Critical safety issue: crack only detectable by tapping with a hammer (hollow sound instead of a ring). Mainly affects the FN2 Type R used in a sporting manner.
The rear brake calipers seize on city drivers. Regular cleaning and lubrication is necessary; if neglected, pads can wear unevenly.
The Omron AC relay fails prematurely and disables the air conditioning. A straightforward fix is a replacement relay from Mitsuba; often the recommended first step.
Faulty engine mounts occur more frequently on the Civic FN and can lead to a MOT failure. Manifests as vibrations and rattling noises at idle.
The clutch tends to judder when the engine is warm, especially on diesel models. Premature clutch wear occurs with heavy city use. A clutch replacement is the only permanent fix.
Reports & Tests
4474 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2006–2011). Most reported: Airbags (753), Engine (604), Suspension (598).