Honda Honda Freed common problems: what to check before you buy
Credov's researched list of the 5 faults the Honda Honda Freed is known for (2011–2016), 3 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 Honda Freed
i-DCD gearbox jerky at low speed
Costly if missed
2013–2024 · LEB · hybrid · Gearbox
What to look for: In stop-start traffic creep, stop and pull away on a slope, feeling for judder, clunks or a delay before drive engages.
Why it matters: A dry dual-clutch gearbox that is already jerky or clunking at low speed is showing clutch wear, and repeated hill crawling or heavy traffic use wears it further; the repair for a worn clutch or shift actuator is a specialist hybrid-transmission job, not a quick adjustment.
Typical repair: NZ$300–NZ$6,000 in New Zealand · A$310–A$6,180 in Australia
What to look for: Look under the car at the gearbox for fresh oil, and watch for a transmission overheating warning on the drive.
Why it matters: Once outside Honda's extended cover, this repair is the buyer's full cost, and the quoted fix in Japan is a full gearbox replacement rather than a simple seal job.
Typical repair: NZ$3,000–NZ$8,000 in New Zealand · A$3,090–A$8,240 in Australia
What to look for: Accelerate hard and watch the battery gauge: dropping to empty almost at once means a weak pack.
Why it matters: With these cars now well past the age the IMA pack was designed for, a weak battery is to be expected rather than a surprise, and pricing a reconditioned pack into the purchase avoids an unpleasant bill soon after buying.
Typical repair: NZ$2,500–NZ$9,000 in New Zealand · A$2,580–A$9,270 in Australia
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 Honda Freed? 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.