Honda Freed Spike common problems: what to check before you buy
Credov's researched list of the 3 faults the Honda Freed Spike is known for (2008–2016), 1 of them serious or costly. Each one says what to look for when you check the car, so you can spot it before you buy. Not every car has these faults: they are the ones worth checking on this model.
Known problems on the Honda Freed Spike
Airbag recall (Japanese import)
Safety risk
2000–2015 · Paperwork
What to look for: Ask a Honda dealer to check Japanese airbag recalls on the chassis number, and check the passenger visor for an airbag-off label.
Why it matters: Stream, Airwave, Mobilio, Edix, That's, Zest, Partner, Inspire and Fit Shuttle were never sold new in New Zealand, so no local recall campaign was ever run against them and a New Zealand plate lookup has nothing to say. The Japanese notifications cover them across more than a dozen filings, driver and passenger side, several of them explicitly preventive with the cause not yet established at the time of filing.
What to look for: Operate each sliding door from the fob, the switch and the handle both ways; it should latch fully without reversing.
Why it matters: Japanese workshops report repairing this constantly, and while a clean and grease of the centre roller sometimes fixes it, a worn door drive assembly is a specific parts repair rather than something you can just live with on a family van.
Typical repair: NZ$150–NZ$1,500 in New Zealand · A$150–A$1,550 in Australia
What to look for: Check the roof corners, edges and above the rear hatch for white, flaking paint and any rust spots.
Why it matters: Left unaddressed the peeling can expose bare metal and lead to rust and roof leaks; the proper fix is stripping to metal, treating any rust and repainting the whole roof, which is a real cost to price into the deal.
Typical repair: NZ$700–NZ$2,500 in New Zealand · A$720–A$2,580 in Australia
Got a question about a Honda Freed Spike? Ask Credov: a noise, a warning light, a part or how to fix it.
Also check on every car
On top of the faults above, every Credov inspection covers the basics: fuel smell, leaks or filler rust, engine oil leaks, power steering fluid leak, drive belt cracks or squeal, rust underneath: chassis and mounts, engine mounts, engine oil level and colour, coolant level, colour and leaks, head gasket failure signs, cold start: rattle, knock or smoke, rough or hunting idle, engine running hot on gauge, gearbox or diff oil leak, swapped gearbox without lvv and more.
Researched by Credov from manufacturer recalls and service bulletins, owner reports and workshop sources. Repair prices are typical ranges, not quotes. See also fault codes and repair costs.