The Lemon IndexA shudder at low or steady speed often comes from the torque converter clutch or, on dual-clutch and CVT cars, the clutch or belt.
Fix soon. Usually drivable. Ask about fluid changes and software updates, and get it checked soon.
Torque converter clutch shudder. Then: old or wrong transmission fluid; dual-clutch transmission clutch wear.
Owners describe this in 4,768 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Ford Focus.
Cars owners report it on most
Complaints describing this symptom, by model, all years. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Model years that report it most
| Model year | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Ford Focus | 321 | 12% |
| 2012 Ford Focus | 233 | 6% |
| 2013 Ford Focus | 221 | 10% |
| 2016 Ford Focus | 122 | 10% |
| 2013 Nissan Pathfinder | 93 | 10% |
| 2015 Ford Focus | 92 | 9% |
| 2017 Ford Focus | 90 | 10% |
| 2019 Ford Edge | 88 | 11% |
| 2013 Ford Fiesta | 63 | 9% |
| 2012 Ford Fiesta | 54 | 9% |
| 2014 Nissan Pathfinder | 54 | 9% |
| 2011 Ford Fiesta | 48 | 7% |
Each row is that model year's record in NHTSA complaints, not the history of any one car. Share = complaints describing this symptom out of every complaint we hold for that model year (shown when the year has 50+ complaints).
Where it makes up the biggest share
2020 Ford Edge · 14% 2017 Chevrolet Colorado · 13% 2014 Infiniti QX60 · 12% 2014 Ford Focus · 12% 2019 Ford Edge · 11% 2013 Nissan Pathfinder · 10% 2016 Ford Focus · 10% 2013 Ford Focus · 10%
Model years with 150+ complaints in our data and 10+ describing this symptom, ranked by share. A high share means owners of that year who complained often mentioned it.
The details
Common causes of transmission shudder
- Torque converter clutch shudder
- Old or wrong transmission fluid
- Dual-clutch transmission clutch wear
- CVT belt or pulley wear
- Worn engine or transmission mounts
General causes, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause with tests before replacing parts.
Is it safe to drive with transmission shudder?
Fix soon. Usually drivable. Ask about fluid changes and software updates, and get it checked soon.
Get help right away if it slips or loses drive.
Of the 4,768 complaints describing it, 0.7% mention a crash and 2% say the car was towed.
What the complaints show
The parts owners filed these complaints under: power train (85%), engine (15%), vehicle speed control (5%), fuel/propulsion system (4%). A complaint can list more than one.
Median odometer reading when owners reported it: 50,000 miles.
Most reports by make: Ford (2,045), Nissan (487), Chevrolet (442), Honda (390), Toyota (221).
What owners say it cost to fix
Repair bills owners named in complaints that describe this symptom (4x4 & axles, transmission repairs): the middle half ran $1,800 to $6,000, typical $4,000, from 226 bills.
Each figure is one repair bill as an owner wrote it in a complaint, not a quote for your car. Prices vary with the part, the shop and the year.
Engine codes that come up with it
Trouble codes owners named in these complaints more often than in other symptom complaints. Look up any code →
Related symptoms
Car shakes when accelerating Car shaking and check engine light on Car jerks when accelerating Transmission slipping Transmission shifting hard Car hesitates when accelerating
Quick answers
What causes transmission shudder?
A shudder at low or steady speed often comes from the torque converter clutch or, on dual-clutch and CVT cars, the clutch or belt. Common causes: torque converter clutch shudder; old or wrong transmission fluid; dual-clutch transmission clutch wear; cVT belt or pulley wear; worn engine or transmission mounts.
Is it safe to drive with transmission shudder?
Fix soon. Usually drivable. Ask about fluid changes and software updates, and get it checked soon.
Which cars have this problem most?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners describe it most on the Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta and Ford F-Series. These are raw counts, so popular models rank higher; complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
How much does it cost to fix?
In 226 repair bills owners named in complaints describing it, the middle half ran $1,800 to $6,000. The right repair depends on the cause.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text describes this symptom (we matched owners' own wording, then read samples to check the matches). A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis or proof of a defect. Causes and advice are general information in our own words, not repair advice for your car. Every symptom · Engine code lookup