PSA-Renault AL4 / DP0 (caja automática de 4 velocidades)Automatic gearbox (torque converter and CVT)
Jolt or sharp thud when engaging a gear from a standstill on the AL4 / DP0
It is a symptom described in general terms for automatic gearboxes with degraded oil: a jolt or a sharper thud than normal when moving from park or neutral into gear, especially when cold. We have not found sources confirming whether the AL4/DP0 suffers from it more than other gearboxes of its era.[1]
Why this rating?
Low severity: A nuisance or wear. It does not immobilise the car or damage other parts.
Frequency occasional: Through the permitted search channels we have found no AL4/DP0-specific documentation of this particular symptom; we include it because a general source on gearbox maintenance explicitly describes it as a sign of degraded oil ("jerking on pulling away", "sharp thud on engaging"), distinct from harsh shifts while driving. We rate the frequency as occasional in the absence of statistics specific to this gearbox.[1]
Symptoms
- A jolt or a sharper thud than normal when moving from P or N to D or R, especially when cold.[1]Jerking: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
Why it happens
A general source on automatic gearbox maintenance describes the thud or jolt on engaging as one of the signs that the oil has degraded or is below the correct level, along with a burning smell and shifts that are slow to happen or do not happen.[1]
Affected cars and years
Described as a symptom linked to the condition of the oil rather than to a specific version; we have not found sources that distinguish the AL4 from the DP0 on this point.[1]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| AL4 (PSA — Peugeot and Citroën) | since 1998 | AL4 |
| DP0 (Renault) | since 1999 | DP0 |
Models fitted with the affected versions
Citroën
- Citroën C3 I2002–2009
- Citroën C4 I2004–2010
- Citroën Xsara Picasso1999–2010
Peugeot
- Peugeot 2061998–2010
- Peugeot 2072006–2014
Renault
- Renault Clio II1998–2012
- Renault Clio III2005–2012
- Renault Mégane II2002–2009
- Renault Scénic II2003–2009
- Renault Kangoo I1999–2007
- Renault Laguna II2001–2007
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Check and, if necessary, change of the gearbox oil and filter; we have not found a specific cost for this symptom alone.[1]
We have not found a published price specific to this isolated symptom; if the oil is degraded, the indicative cost is the same as for the degraded oil fault (preventive change at around €200, major repair between €1,000 and €3,000 or more, in Spain).
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
- Try starting the car from cold, in a safe place, and note whether the move from park or neutral into gear is smooth or gives a sharp thud.
- If you notice the thud, ask for the oil level and condition to be checked before ruling out other causes (engine mounts, for example).
How to prevent it
- The same maintenance that prevents the other degraded-oil symptoms (a check between 40,000 and 60,000 km) reduces the risk of this jolt.[2]
Recalls, campaigns and claims
As of 27 September 2026, we have no record of recalls, campaigns or extended manufacturer warranties for this fault. Check with an official dealer using the chassis (VIN) number: they will tell you whether the car has any outstanding campaign.
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
Is it serious if the car gives a sharp thud when engaging a gear from cold?
On its own it need not be, but it is one of the signs that general sources associate with degraded gearbox oil; it should be checked before other symptoms such as slipping or overheating appear.[1]
Can it be caused by something other than the oil?
Yes, in general a jolt on pulling away can also come from worn engine mounts or other mechanical causes; it is best to rule out the condition of the gearbox oil first, which is the cause described by the general sources consulted.[1]
Is this jolt a known problem specifically of the AL4/DP0?
Through the permitted search channels, we have not found a source that documents this symptom as specific to the AL4/DP0; we treat it as the same pattern that general sources describe for any automatic gearbox with degraded oil.[1]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other AL4 / DP0 faults
More faults with the automatic gearbox on other engines and cars
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonMultitronicWear of the variator chain and conesYes: the variator uses a chain of more than 1,000 links between two pairs of cones that wears with mileage, especially if the oil is not changed regularly. Gebrauchtwagenberater ties the gearbox's reputation to "numerous total failures"; Schaeffler/LuK sells a kit to repair the chain.
- Critical severityFrequency: Common2.0 CDI (OM640)Costly failure of the Autotronic (CVT) automatic gearboxYes: the Autotronic continuously variable gearbox, optional on the 180 CDI and 200 CDI, is the problem cited most by owners of the 140 hp version (24 of 114 testimonies) and a fault hotspot according to the ADAC up to 2006. A German source recommends avoiding it and choosing the manual gearbox.
- High severityFrequency: CommonMultitronicControl unit (TCU) failure and limp modeYes: the multitronic control unit, especially in the 01J code (up to 2007), is one of its best-documented weak points. Overheating with oil seeping into the control unit causes fault warnings and limp mode and, if ignored, can end up damaging the gearbox itself.
- High severityFrequency: CommonAudi A6 C6Wear and failures of the Multitronic automatic gearbox on front-wheel-drive versionsYes: on front-wheel-drive versions with the Multitronic (CVT) gearbox, gebrauchtwagenberater.de documents jerking when pulling away that can progress to complete failure, especially on older cars; fiches-auto.fr adds selector lock-ups and torque converter breakages. The quattro versions, with the Tiptronic gearbox, do not share this problem.Repair (garage): €1,000Appears at around 120,000 km
- High severityFrequency: CommonMINI Cooper R50Faults in the CVT automatic gearbox, the manual gearbox and the clutchAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the Mini R50 accumulates 22 gearbox mentions and 32 clutch mentions, and the CVT automatic variant is described as fragile and 'to be avoided'. Wikipedia confirms that the CVT and the manual gearboxes were fitted depending on the year.
- High severityFrequency: CommonRenault AustralErratic behaviour of the E-Tech hybrid automatic gearboxOn the 200 hp E-Tech hybrid Austral built from 3 October 2022 to 25 June 2024, the gearbox input shaft seal can wear out early and allow oil to leak towards the electric motor. Renault covers the repair (seal or complete gearbox) in France even after the two-year warranty has expired, but it is not a recall.
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- El cambio de aceite de la caja de cambios que evita una avería de 2.000 eurosMotor16 · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Síntomas de falta de aceite en una caja de cambios automáticaAutopista.es · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish