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Why does my car jerk at 25mph when I’m slowing down?

This is so frustrating! My car has been doing this weird thing where it jerks when I’m decelerating and hit 25mph. It doesn’t do it when I’m accelerating and it doesn’t do it at any other speed. I can’t seem to get a straight answer on this. What would cause a car to jerk specifically at 25mph when slowing down?

avatar
Patrick Price · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Oh no! That is very strange! Based on the symptoms, it’s likely that an issue with one of your car’s electronic sensors or a faulty solenoid is causing your car to jerk at 25mph when you’re slowing down.
Your car uses a variety of electronic sensors to keep track of your speed and regulate different systems. Your car consists of numerous different systems that all need to work in harmony. In modern cars, this coordination is achieved with the help of sensors that keep track of data and deliver it to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), which is your car’s central control computer.
If one or more of these sensors is malfunctioning or has faulty wiring, it could be sending false readings at specific speeds to your PCM, causing it to behave strangely.
Sensors that might be involved in your issue include:
  • Mass Airflow Sensor
  • Vehicle Speed Sensor
  • Transmission Output Speed Sensor
  • Wheel Sensor
You also might have a bad solenoid somewhere as these electro-hydraulic valves control the flow of transmission fluid and depend on speed sensors to operate properly.
Other, less likely, possible causes include (but are not limited to):
  • Faulty driveshaft
  • Faulty transmission mount
  • Worn suspension
In the end, this is an issue that you’ll need a professional mechanic to diagnose. You may also want to have an automotive electrician run a full diagnostic on your electrical systems.
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