Jerking or juddering when accelerating on Lancia: causes by model

In 7 models from Lancia there are 8 documented faults that cause this symptom (jerking). The most important: MultiAir (UniAir) electro-hydraulic unit failure, wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pump and misfires and ignition coil faults.

Reviewed on 30 October 2026How we work

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Lancia models it appears in.

- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 T-JetMultiAir (UniAir) electro-hydraulic unit failureThe MultiAir (UniAir) electro-hydraulic unit, which controls the intake valves using oil pressure, can fail and cause misfires and the engine light to come on; on the Alfa Romeo MiTo there is a documented case of replacement at 50,000 km for €1,400, with no warranty cover.Repair: €1,250–€1,800Appears at around 12,000 km
In Delta III
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRDWear of the injectors and the high-pressure pumpThe injectors and common-rail pump of the 2.8 and the 3.0 V6 CRD can wear with the years: the sources place it between 120,000 and 180,000 km and describe it as loss of power or limp mode, not a widespread failure.Repair (garage): €800–€1,400Appears at around 120,000 km
In Thema II and Voyager
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.4 T-JetMisfires and ignition coil faultsOn the Alfa Romeo MiTo there are reports of misfires that owners attribute to the coils, spark plugs and the MultiAir itself all at once, with the engine light on; we do not find the same pattern with the same clarity on the other models with this engine.
In Delta III
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional2.4 JTD / JTDm MultijetClogged or faulty EGR valve on the 2.4 JTD and JTDmThe EGR valve is the most-cited fault in the testimonies for the 200 hp 2.4 JTD of the Alfa 159: 24 mentions in 63, plus 8 in 36 for the 210 hp and 12 in 64 for the 156. It gets dirty or fails; RACE puts the cost of replacing an EGR between €130 and €800 on cars in general (not a price specific to this engine).Repair (garage): €130–€800
In Thesis
- High severityFrequency: Rare1.2 PureTechTiming misalignment from the camshaft sprocket bolts (chain-driven generation)On the third-generation 1.2 (chain-driven) built up to 17 February 2024, the camshaft sprocket bolts could be incorrectly fitted and throw the timing out: engine warning light, loss of power and, in the worst case, contact between pistons and valves.
In Ypsilon IV
- Medium severityFrequency: RareLancia ThesisAutomatic gearbox jerking due to unrenewed transmission oilOn Thesis cars with a five-speed automatic (Aisin), AUTO BILD says the manufacturer does not prescribe changing the gearbox oil, but that it needs doing every 50,000 km: without it, sludge builds up, blocking channels and valves and causing jerks when changing gear.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalVM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRDEGR valve and intake clogged with sootWith short journeys, the EGR valve and intake of the 2.8 and 3.0 CRD accumulate sticky deposits that cause jerking, black smoke and uneven running. It is usually fixed by cleaning; if not, the valve has to be replaced.Repair (garage): €150–€600
In Thema II and Voyager
- Low severityFrequency: Occasional1.2 8v FireFaulty ignition coil (misfire, engine warning light)The 1.2 8v Fire's ignition coil can fail and switch on the engine warning light, with rough running; there is one documented case replaced at 40,000 km in the Fiat 500. It is one of the issues that recurs most in the sources consulted for this engine, though always in a minority of cases.
In Ypsilon II and Ypsilon III

By Lancia model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Engines and gearboxes involved

Frequently asked questions

Jerking in a Lancia: what could it be?

Which Lancia models have the most faults with this symptom?

Lancia Thesis (2 faults), Lancia Delta III (2 faults), Lancia Thema II (2 faults) and Lancia Voyager (2 faults).

Which Lancia engines cause it?

1.4 T-Jet (2 faults), VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD (2 faults), 1.2 8v Fire (1 fault), 1.2 PureTech (1 fault) and 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet (1 fault).