Jerking on Toyota: causes by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

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

- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.5 BlueHDiSeizure of the high-pressure pump and injection systemSome early 1.5 BlueHDi engines have suffered seizure of the Bosch high-pressure pump, with juddering or the engine stalling on the road, sometimes before 50,000 km. The repair means replacing the entire injection system and the fuel tank.
In ProAce City
- Medium severityFrequency: Common2.0/2.2 D-4DInjector wear and failureYes: the common-rail injectors fail frequently in this family, with cases documented from 30,000 km and repairs ranging from €800 (one injector) to €1,900 (several) according to the owners consulted.Appears at around 30,000 km
In Auris I, Auris II, Avensis T25, Avensis T27, Corolla Verso and RAV4 III and 2 more models
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 D-4DInjector wear and failureYes: the common-rail injectors on the 1.4 D-4D are documented as failing on the Yaris, Auris and MINI One D, with symptoms of jerking, noise and the engine warning light on; one source describes the problem as "chronic" on the MINI One D's engine.
In Auris I, Auris II, Corolla IX, Urban Cruiser, Verso-S and Yaris I and 1 more model
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.2 TurboCarbon build-up on the intake valvesYes, as in almost all direct-injection engines: as there are no injectors in the manifold to wash the valves with fuel, carbon builds up in the intake with mileage and can show up as unstable idle, jerking or a progressive loss of power.
In Auris II, C-HR I and Corolla XII
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.2 TurboManufacturing defect in the ignition coils (early units)Yes: the first 1.2 Turbo units, built up to mid-2018, had a manufacturing defect in the ignition coils that caused misfires. Toyota corrected it in production; there are documented cases of several coils being replaced under warranty.
In Auris II and C-HR I
- Medium severityFrequency: RareToyota Previa XR30Fuel cut-off safety system fault causing misfiresWhat Car? lists among the few known faults of the 2000-2006 Previa a fault in the fuel cut-off safety system, to which it attributes the engine misfiring. The guide does not detail how many units are affected or at what mileage it occurs.

By Toyota 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 Toyota: what could it be?

In 17 models from Toyota there are 6 documented faults that cause this symptom (jerking). The most important: seizure of the high-pressure pump and injection system, injector wear and failure and injector wear and failure. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the cause and how to check for it.

Which Toyota models have the most faults with this symptom?

Toyota Auris II (4 faults), Toyota Auris I (2 faults), Toyota C-HR I (2 faults) and Toyota Yaris I (1 fault).

Which Toyota engines cause it?

1.2 Turbo (2 faults), 1.4 D-4D (1 fault), 1.5 BlueHDi (1 fault) and 2.0/2.2 D-4D (1 fault).