Power Steering Issues

[dds]

You should print off this full thread to show your dealer. At least he will know that this is an established fault and it might make it a bit more difficult to fob you off. It worked for me as Honda agreed to change the rack when this was thread was presented to them.

[poolmaster]

I know what you mean - I really want to love my Jazz, but the steering is so bad, I can't see past it. I love the look of the car and the space inside, and the little extras like all-round electric windows, which a lot of cars of the same size (e.g. polo) don't have.

The dealer says he'll have to drive the car himself to judge the problem. I can't get to the dealer (an hour's drive away) until the weekend, so in the meantime I'm going to take it to a power steering specialist and see what he says.

Thanks again for your responses.

If you are hoping to get this sorted under warrenty then do not let any other garage deal with it. If honda see that someone else has been at it the warrnety may well be void.

[cocobelle79]

Hi there and thanks for the reply.

I bought the car from an independent dealer, not a Honda dealer, so the warranty is not a Honda warranty. I guessed that the same thing might be true of the independent dealer's warranty, though, so I checked with the dealer before I had other mechanics look at the car. With the permission of the dealer, my local mechanic re-alligned the steering and checked the rack and steering motor. He advised replacement of both. With the knowledge of the dealer, I have since had a power steering specialist check the car, and he agrees that I should not be driving it as it is. I haven't had a chance to call the dealer with this news, but I will do so tomorrow morning. The power steering specialist has also advised replacement of the steering assembly. I am hoping the warranty will cover the costs involved and that the dealer will authorise a mechanic local to me to carry out the work, as I do not want to drive for over an hour on the motorway in a car that a power steering specialist has described as unsafe.

Thanks again for your reply. I have also found a post on another forum where a Jazz owner describes the same problem and having the steering assembly replaced by her Honda dealer who said it was something they had done several times. I will print that post as well as these to show my dealer if necessary.

[golddigger]

any chance of a link to the other forum thread?

ta

[geoffbailey]

I have a 2010 model honda jazz ( 3 months old ),  It is displaying the same erratic steering characteristics described my many of your other members on their earlier series models. Namely stiff steering and unpredictable power steering whilst trying to drive in a straight line, particularly at motorway speeds. As one would expect, the supplying dealer, and Honda Customer Services, were totally dismissive, and deny that any problem exists. Can any one suggest the best way forward in this case ?

[sibyseb]

Just a quick update to my previous post.
I had the steering rack of my Jazz replaced by the dealer. I had to pay for the service charge (about £270). The steering does self centre now. The 'sticky' feeling of the steering is improved, but it still doesn't feel as good as in some other cars I have driven. Anyway driving is better now as I don't have to constantly correct the steering position. Hope things won't get worse after some time

[JazzandJag]

I have a 2010 model honda jazz ( 3 months old ),  It is displaying the same erratic steering characteristics described my many of your other members on their earlier series models. Namely stiff steering and unpredictable power steering whilst trying to drive in a straight line, particularly at motorway speeds. As one would expect, the supplying dealer, and Honda Customer Services, were totally dismissive, and deny that any problem exists. Can any one suggest the best way forward in this case ?

Geoff

Perhaps you could (as others have done) print this thread and show it to the dealer, or else perhaps contact one of the dealers who has already replaced a steering rack for a forum member. Mine was done by Avonvale Solihull 0121 744 7744.

However this is the first I have heard of a GE showing this problem and it may be that you have to wait until a few more GE cases come to light before a problem is acknowledged.  A bit worrying as we changed one of our GDs for a GE in March this year (no problems so far) and are due to change the other one in about 2 weeks time.

Regards

Nigel

[culzean]

Both our (Japanese made) Jazz GD's have never had a steering problem, but neither of them will 'self-centre' from full lock without a little help from the steering wheel for the first bit.

If you look how small the turning circle is for the Jazz this is really not surprising, and as an engineer I think it is unrealistic for people to expect the steering to self-centre without initial help when the wheels are turned through such a large angle relative to the straight ahead position.

I can't comment on any other 'problems' because I have never experienced them!

[nowster]

Indeed. My EX Jazz has a tighter turning circle than my 2002 Micra had. No steering problems (yet) here.

[Nool]

I've got a 2003 Australian delivery Jazz Vti (1.5 litre) with the same steering trouble described in the opening post in the column. My mechanic can't find anything wrong. I've driven a 2006 Jazz & the steering was lighter, but more importantly had more feel and was not as stiff and wooden. Does anyone know if you can fit the 2006 spec rack & electric motor assembly into the earlier spec Jazz? The rest of the car is so good, I'd spend the $$ if I knew it would work.

[rosie]

Having just got a new( to me) 2006 Jazz 1.4SE auto, I was having palpitations reading all these stories about the steering. So I felt I had to take it out on our nearby Motorway to try it.
Since I've had it( only 5 days) I've only be driving on normal roads. Well I have just got back and can honestly say I had no steering probs at all. I covered about 20 miles and got up to 80 mph. It kept straight and I even let go of the steering wheel momentarily to test it. OK its a calm evening with no wind, but so far no probs at all..Fingers crossed because Ive got a 170 mile motorway trip to Devon coming up soon.