Judder & vibration

Judder and vibration on a used car · what to check

Judder is directional: what it does and when tells you whether you are looking at a tyre balance or a gearbox out.

Quick answer

Judder & vibration appears as a documented fault on 75 models in our library, across 80 separate faults. The most common areas involved are Transmission, Engine, Drivetrain, Steering.

What it usually means

  • Shudder pulling away · clutch or dual-clutch pack wear.
  • Vibration that appears at a set speed and disappears above it · wheel balance or tyre.
  • Shaking through the pedal under braking · warped discs.
  • Vibration under hard acceleration only · driveshaft or engine mount.

How to check it on the forecourt

  1. 01Pull away from rest several times, gently and briskly, on a slope if you can.
  2. 02In an automatic, let it shift through every gear twice while cold and once warm.
  3. 03Brake firmly from 50mph in a safe place and feel for pulsing.
  4. 04Check tyre wear across the tread and for feathering on the edges.

Models where this is documented

Each entry links to that model's full fault page, with onset mileage, severity and what to inspect.

Acura MDX2014–20202 matching faults
  • 9-speed ZF automatic hesitation, judder and hard shifts (early cars).· Any
  • VCM cylinder deactivation misfires and oil dilution.· 60,000+ miles
Honda Accord2013–20172 matching faults
  • VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) on V6 cars can raise oil consumption and cause vibration.· 60,000+ miles
  • V6 automatic torque-converter judder.· 70,000+ miles
Honda Odyssey2011–20172 matching faults
  • Torque-converter shudder and premature transmission wear.· 80,000+ miles
  • VCM misfires and oil dilution on cylinder deactivation.· 70,000+ miles
Honda Pilot2016–20222 matching faults
  • 9-speed ZF automatic hesitation, hard shifts and judder (early cars).· Any
  • VCM cylinder deactivation causing misfires and oil dilution.· 60,000+ miles
Honda Ridgeline2017–20232 matching faults
  • VCM misfires / oil dilution.· 60,000+ miles
  • Occasional shudder on light throttle.· 70,000+ miles
Alfa Romeo Giulietta2010–20201 matching fault
  • TCT dual-clutch automatic jerky at low speed or slow to engage· 40,000+ miles
Audi A52016–20241 matching fault
  • S tronic and multitronic hesitation and juddering· 70,000+ miles
Audi A62014–20251 matching fault
  • S tronic and multitronic judder and hesitation· 80,000+ miles
Audi A72011–20181 matching fault
  • S tronic clutch pack judder in slow traffic· 70,000+ miles
Audi TT2014–20231 matching fault
  • S tronic clutch and mechatronic wear· 70,000+ miles
BMW X32011–20171 matching fault
  • xDrive transfer case whine / actuator wear.· 90,000+ miles
Cadillac Escalade2015–20201 matching fault
  • 8-speed automatic shudder and harsh shifts.· 70,000+ miles
Chevrolet Camaro2016–20231 matching fault
  • 8-speed (8L45) harsh shifts and shudder.· Any
Chevrolet Colorado2015–20221 matching fault
  • 8-speed automatic hard shifts and shudder (fluid-related).· Any
Chevrolet Silverado 15002014–20181 matching fault
  • Torque-converter shudder.· 70,000+ miles
Chevrolet Suburban2015–20201 matching fault
  • Automatic shudder / harsh shifts.· 90,000+ miles
Chevrolet Tahoe2015–20201 matching fault
  • 6-/8-speed shift quality and shudder.· 90,000+ miles
Chevrolet Trailblazer2021–20241 matching fault
  • CVT shudder or hesitation, especially 3-cylinder cars.· 40,000+ miles
Chevrolet Traverse2018–20231 matching fault
  • 9-speed automatic shudder and hard shifts.· Any
Cupra Leon2020–20261 matching fault
  • DSG clutch judder on hard-used cars· 40,000+ miles
Ford C-Max2010–20191 matching fault
  • Powershift clutch judder and shudder· 60,000+ miles
Ford Fiesta2013–20231 matching fault
  • Powershift automatic shudder and clutch wear on auto cars· Any
Ford Galaxy2015–20231 matching fault
  • Powershift clutch pack wear on automatics· 70,000+ miles
Ford Mondeo2012–20221 matching fault
  • Powershift automatic clutch wear· 90,000+ miles
Ford S-Max2015–20231 matching fault
  • Powershift automatic shudder and harsh engagement· 60,000+ miles
Ford Tourneo Connect2013–20261 matching fault
  • Clutch and dual-mass flywheel wear from heavy loads· 80,000+ miles
Ford Transit Custom2012–20241 matching fault
  • Clutch and dual-mass flywheel wear on heavily loaded vans· 90,000+ miles
GMC Acadia2017–20231 matching fault
  • 9-speed automatic shudder / hard shifts.· Any
GMC Sierra 15002014–20181 matching fault
  • Torque-converter shudder.· 70,000+ miles
GMC Terrain2018–20231 matching fault
  • 9-speed shudder and shift-to-park glitch.· Any
GMC Yukon2015–20201 matching fault
  • Automatic shudder / harsh shifts.· 90,000+ miles
Honda CR-V2017–20221 matching fault
  • Vibration at idle on 1.5T from oil dilution.· Any
Honda Fit2015–20201 matching fault
  • CVT judder / shudder and premature wear.· 60,000+ miles
Honda HR-V2016–20221 matching fault
  • CVT drone and occasional judder.· 60,000+ miles
Honda Jazz2015–20251 matching fault
  • CVT judder and fluid neglect· 80,000+ miles
Hyundai i302012–20251 matching fault
  • 7-speed DCT low-speed shudder· 60,000+ miles
Hyundai Ioniq2016–20221 matching fault
  • Dual-clutch hesitation and judder on hybrid models· 70,000+ miles
Jeep Gladiator2020–20231 matching fault
  • Front-axle 'death wobble' — violent steering shake after a bump.· Any
Kia Ceed2012–20251 matching fault
  • DCT low-speed shudder· 60,000+ miles
Land Rover Range Rover Sport2005–20221 matching fault
  • Transfer box and driveshaft wear causing vibration· 80,000+ miles

Showing the 40 models with the most documented matches · browse the full library.

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