Jerking or loss of power.
Jerking usually comes from a misfire or from the engine getting too little fuel or air. If the car suddenly loses power, will not rev and a warning light comes on, it has probably gone into limp mode to protect itself.
Can I keep driving?
- Stop now
Jerking with the engine light flashing, with smoke, high temperature or loud noises, or if the car stalls while driving and it is not safe to carry on in traffic.
- Go to a garage soon
The car has gone into limp mode: less power, limited revs and a warning light on. You can drive, but only a short way, to the garage.
- It can wait
A slight jerk now and then, with no warning lights, that is not getting worse: note when it happens and mention it at the next service.
What it usually means
- Misfire
- Worn spark plugs, leads or coils: the engine “misses” when accelerating or at idle.
- Not enough fuel
- Dirty or faulty injectors, a clogged fuel filter or a weak fuel pump.
- Too little air, or air getting in where it should not
- A clogged air filter, an air leak in the intake or a mass airflow sensor that misreads.
- Turbo, EGR or particulate filter
- Above all on diesels: a turbo that does not build boost, a stuck EGR valve or a full particulate filter can sap power and lead to limp mode.
- Clutch or gearbox
- If the jerks come when pulling away or changing gear: a worn clutch, or gearbox oil that is low or dirty.
What you can check yourself
- Note when it happens: cold or warm, when accelerating, at a steady speed, when pulling away or when changing gear. It is the first thing the garage will ask.
- Check whether any warning light is on and whether it flashes.
- Read the fault codes with an OBD2 reader.
- Check in the service book when the spark plugs and filters were last changed.
What the garage confirms
- Reading the codes and live data: air flow, boost pressure, injector corrections.
- A smoke test of the intake to find air leaks.
- Checking the spark plugs and coils on a petrol car, or the injectors on a diesel.
Engines with related sheets
Faults documented with sources on Testigo related to this symptom, across 1136 engines. These are the ones with the most; look for yours under Cars.
- Renault Captur (I) 1.5 dCi (K9K)2013–2019 · 6 sheets
- Dacia Duster (II) 1.5 dCi / Blue dCi (K9K)2017–2024 · 6 sheets
- Volkswagen Passat B7 2.0 TDI (EA189)2010–2014 · 5 sheets
- Volkswagen Tiguan I 2.0 TDI (EA189)2007–2016 · 5 sheets
- Renault Clio (IV) 1.5 dCi (K9K)2012–2019 · 5 sheets
- Renault Mégane (IV) 1.5 dCi / Blue dCi (K9K)2016–2023 · 5 sheets
- Volkswagen T-Roc (I) 1.5 TSI2017–2025 · 4 sheets
- Volkswagen Touran I (1T) 1.6 / 2.0 TDI common rail (EA189, desde 2010)2003–2015 · 4 sheets
- Volkswagen Passat B7 1.6 TDI (EA189)2010–2014 · 4 sheets
- Skoda Yeti 2.0 TDI2009–2017 · 4 sheets
- Skoda Superb II (3T) 1.6 TDI (EA189)2008–2015 · 4 sheets
- BMW X6 (E71/E72) xDrive35i (N54, hasta 2010)2008–2014 · 4 sheets
- Peugeot 2008 (I) 1.2 PureTech2013–2019 · 4 sheets
- Peugeot 2008 (I) 1.6 HDi2013–2019 · 4 sheets
- Peugeot 3008 (II) 1.2 PureTech2016–2023 · 4 sheets
- Peugeot 3008 (II) 1.5 BlueHDi (desde 2017)2016–2023 · 4 sheets
- Peugeot Rifter / Partner (III) 1.5 BlueHDi2018–2026 · 4 sheets
- Citroën C5 Aircross (I) 1.5 BlueHDi2018–2025 · 4 sheets
- Volkswagen Golf VII 1.5 TSI2012–2020 · 3 sheets
- Volkswagen Golf VII 1.6 TDI (EA288)2012–2020 · 3 sheets
- Volkswagen Jetta VI 1.6 / 2.0 TDI2010–2018 · 3 sheets
- Volkswagen Scirocco III 2.0 TDI2008–2017 · 3 sheets
- Volkswagen Beetle (5C) 1.6 / 2.0 TDI2011–2019 · 3 sheets
- Volkswagen Passat B6 1.9 / 2.0 TDI PD2005–2010 · 3 sheets
Sources
Guidance only: it does not replace a garage inspection and your car's manual always comes first.