Why does my car jerk and whine when accelerating around a turn?
Car jerking and whining exclusively during turns while pressing the gas pedal usually points to a drivetrain or differential issue, since the problem disappears when driving in a straight line. This sudden kicking sensation makes driving unpredictable and prevents normal, smooth acceleration from a stop or around corners.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- The most recent one is from October 2026.
- This comes up 10.3× more often in r/AskMechanics than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Replacing spark plugs and wires2 people mentionedDid this help you?
- 2Taking the car to a mechanic to inspect components on a lift and check for error codesDid this help you?
- 3taking the vehicle to a dealership for diagnosticsDid this help you?
- 4suspecting motor or transmission mountsDid this help you?
- 5Checking battery, alternator, and starterDid this help you?
- 6Replacing the crankshaft sensorDid this help you?
- 7Inspecting or replacing the catalytic converterDid this help you?
- 8Checking components like CV axles, control arm bushings, and ball jointsDid this help you?
- 9Driving at lower speeds to test for recurring symptomsDid this help you?
- 10Warming up the car for 2-5 minutes before moving offDid this help you?
- 11Trying a good injector cleanerDid this help you?
- 12checking transmission fluid level and conditionDid this help you?
- 13performing a transmission fluid drain and fillDid this help you?
- 14Cleaning the throttle bodyDid this help you?
- 15Replacing the multiair oil filterDid this help you?
- 16Replacing the gearbox oilDid this help you?
- 17Checking components like the dogbone mount for wearDid this help you?
- 18Avoiding sport/dynamic driving modesDid this help you?
- 19Cleaning the MAP sensor with aerosol cleanerDid this help you?
- 20Replacing the MAP sensor with a new unit instead of cleaning fragile sensor wiresDid this help you?
- 21Replacing fluids, filters, spark plugs, engine mounts, and cleaning throttle body and EGR valveDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“At highway speed, I noticed a strange noise from underneath the car when accelerating, and the car started pulling to the left when I pressed the gas.”source ↗
“After I got off the highway, I made a right turn and heard/felt a single “pop” from the left front area.”source ↗
“Hello I have a 2012 equinox that runs and drives fine for about an hour, after that when I stop at a traffic light and start to drive again the whole car starts shaking like it stops and then goes again.”source ↗
“Lexus didn't figure anything out and I need some help (I suspect they only drove it and checked for codes).”source ↗
“When it's parked and idling back and forth awhile between ICE and EV, it jumps pretty violently when the ICE starts back up.”source ↗
“Also, you know how it appears to shift up and down on the highway, it jerks/jumps/hammers when you completely let off the gas at highway speeds and it shifts, or when you give it a bit more gas and it downshifts.”source ↗
“To me it seems like motor mounts or trans mounts but I haven't been able to look, no car work at my apartments.”source ↗
“So I have a honda jazz/fit cvt 2007 automatic that jerks randomly after the car warms up after 10-15 minutes of driving when accelerating, and I'm trying to figure out why it's doing it.”source ↗
“After this is when I started noticing the jerking, but I didn't think it would be this since the only code shown was the p0420, and because it would only happen after the car warmed up.”source ↗
“honestly, it scared the hell out of me when it happened on the highway today.”source ↗
“I’ve noticed a slight shudder/judder when accelerating in 3rd gear, seems to be exclusively 3rd gear but can feel it a little in 2nd rarely, never in higher gears.”source ↗
“if I start with the car cold it will do it the whole journey even after the car is fully heated up. But if I warm my car up for 2-5 minutes before moving off it will be smooth and not shudder at all.”source ↗
“Today I experienced a strange jerking (kicking) sensation when accelerating from a stop while turning a corner. The car feels almost like it wants to "jump" violently, accompanied by a whining noise.”source ↗
“Now, it happens every time I turn while pressing the gas pedal. This does not happen when driving in a straight line—the car accelerates properly with no RPM fluctuations or unusual noises.”source ↗
“in drive or reverse car shakes and flashes check engine.”source ↗
“saw some sparks from a spark plug area which led me to believe that’s the issue.”source ↗
“My car isn’t the smoothest to drive, especially in lower gears (1 & 2 especially). On/off throttle the car lurches back and forth, especially noticeable in 1st gear. Makes traffic a nightmare.”source ↗
“Throttle has a bit of a deadzone when I first start pressing it which is super annoying”source ↗
“Dynamic mode (sport) I basically don’t use as the car is just jumping back when I press the gas, then lurches forward when I let off.”source ↗
“symptoms: sudden kick even if i slowly press on gas pedal.”source ↗
“last time i drove has a lot of backward and forward motion of my body: like when i slowly press on gas, my body suddenly went backward and lifting the pedal moves my body forward, happened on an uphill road below 40KPH.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 2Why does my steering get sharper when I accelerate?
- 7Why does my car lurch and shake when I accelerate at low RPMs?
- 4Why does my car vibrate only when accelerating?
- 2Why does my car make rapid clicking when I turn the key?
- 24Why does my car lose power when I step on the gas?
- 9Car shakes at high speeds even with good tires and alignment