According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2019 Honda City has 1 documented issue, with 1 rated critical. The most serious is CVT Judder and Premature Transmission Failure ($600-$4,800 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $600 to $4,800. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
On the 2014-2019 Honda City, the CVT fitted to the sixth-generation City (Brazil, 2015+) and the India-market fourth-generation City (2014+) is a chronic complaint source. Owners report judder/shudder when pulling away from a stop, slipping and RPM flare under acceleration, whining noises, and in the worst cases complete loss of drive. Brazilian owners on Reclame Aqui and the automotive press (Vrum, Mobiauto) document failures from roughly 30,000 km onward, with an internal dealer bulletin reportedly acknowledging chronic CVT bearing problems on 2015 units; one 2019 City EXL suffered catastrophic failure just past 100,000 km. On Team-BHP, a 2016 City 1.5 CVT lost drive entirely at 56,500 km and the service center quoted approximately Rs 4 lakh (~USD 4,800) for a replacement gearbox. Brazilian dealer repair quotes above R$ 10,000-20,000 are common. The judder itself is widely attributed to starter-clutch contamination and degraded CVT fluid; Honda has historically extended CVT warranties in other markets for the same judder phenomenon.
Common Symptoms
Shudder or judder when accelerating from a stop
RPM flare or slipping feel under acceleration
Whining or grinding noise from the transmission
Harsh engagement or jerking at low speed
Sudden loss of drive while the car is moving
How to Fix
If judder appears early, a full CVT fluid exchange (Honda HCF-2/CVT-F, including filter where fitted) following Honda's flush protocol often resolves or delays the symptom — a simple drain-and-fill frequently does not. Persistent judder requires starter-clutch replacement; confirmed internal failures (belt/pulley/bearing damage) require a rebuilt or new CVT. Owners should change CVT fluid every 40,000 km or less (more often than the official schedule), avoid prolonged stop-and-go abuse while juddering, and press Honda for goodwill participation on low-mileage failures, which has been granted in documented cases.
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2019 Honda City has 1 documented issue. The documented issue is: CVT Judder and Premature Transmission Failure. Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Honda City reliable?
The 2019 Honda City has 1 known issue compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 1 issue is rated critical: CVT Judder and Premature Transmission Failure. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Honda City problems?
Repair costs for known Honda City issues range from $600 to $4,800, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, CVT Judder and Premature Transmission Failure, typically costs $600-$4,800 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2014-2019 Honda City CVT Judder and Premature Transmission Failure?
The CVT fitted to the sixth-generation City (Brazil, 2015+) and the India-market fourth-generation City (2014+) is a chronic complaint source. Owners report judder/shudder when pulling away from a stop, slipping and RPM flare under acceleration, whining noises, and in the worst c… Repairs typically run $600-$4,800. Severity: high.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
