MajorVery commonTransmission

GWM Haval Jolion: 7-speed dual-clutch low-speed hesitation and jerky 1-2 shifts

7-speed dual-clutch low-speed hesitation and jerky 1-2 shifts is a very common transmission fault on the GWM Haval Jolion on the 2021 onward cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $250 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 5 documented faults on the GWM Haval Jolion.

Vehicle: GWM Haval Jolion
Years: 2021 onward
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: dct
System: Transmission

This page covers the GWM Haval Jolion as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All GWM Haval Jolion faults5 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Clutch yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The petrol Jolion's 7-speed DCT is the car's most consistently criticised fault across CarExpert's 2021, 2022 and 2023 reviews: slow to engage forward drive, fumbling the first-to-second change with a jolt, and prone to bunny-hopping in stop-start traffic unless the driver deliberately smooths their throttle inputs. CarsGuide owner reports run as late as 2025 models, with one owner describing the low-speed behaviour as feeling dangerous when pulling into traffic. No recall or hardware campaign exists — dealers address complaints with software adaptation resets under the 7-year warranty, and behaviour is largely inherent to the design. The hybrid uses a different (DHT) transmission and avoids this.

What you would notice

Delay then surge when moving off from rest
Jolt or shudder on the 1st-to-2nd upshift
Bunny-hopping in crawling traffic
Hesitation pulling out into gaps in traffic

How to check it

Where to look. Transmission, under the centre of the vehicle

Test drive specifically in stop-start conditions: pull away from at least five standstills at varying throttle, including a simulated 'pull into a gap' brisk take-off, and creep along at walking pace. Feel for delayed engagement followed by a lurch. Also do a three-point turn to test Drive-Reverse engagement speed. A warning light or hot clutch smell after this is a red flag.

Parts involved: Clutch.

What it costs to put right

$250 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the dealer ever performed a DCT software update or clutch adaptation reset?”
“Any history of limp mode, shudder complaints or transmission warranty claims?”
“Was the car used mainly in heavy city traffic (harder life for a DCT)?”

Now check the GWM Haval Jolion you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

CarExpert 2022 Haval Jolion review (DCT slow to engage, fumbles 1-2 shift, jolt sensation): carexpert.com.au/car-reviews/2022-haval-jolion-review
CarExpert 2021 Haval Jolion review (hesitant, indecisive 7-speed DCT in the city): carexpert.com.au/car-reviews/2021-haval-jolion-review
CarsGuide GWM Haval Jolion problems page (2025 owner report: stilted, hesitant DCT described as dangerous to drive): carsguide.com.au/gwm/haval-jolion/problems

GWM Haval Jolion buyer questions

Is 7-speed dual-clutch low-speed hesitation and jerky 1-2 shifts serious on a GWM Haval Jolion?

We rate it major and very common on the GWM Haval Jolion. The petrol Jolion's 7-speed DCT is the car's most consistently criticised fault across CarExpert's 2021, 2022 and 2023 reviews: slow to engage forward drive, fumbling the first-to-second change with a jolt, and prone to bunny-hopping in stop-start traffic unless the driver deliberately smooths their throttle inputs. CarsGuide owner reports run as late as 2025 models, with one owner describing the low-speed behaviour as feeling dangerous when pulling into traffic. No recall or hardware campaign exists — dealers address complaints with software adaptation resets under the 7-year warranty, and behaviour is largely inherent to the design. The hybrid uses a different (DHT) transmission and avoids this.

How much does it cost to fix on a GWM Haval Jolion?

$250 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which GWM Haval Jolion years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2021 onward GWM Haval Jolion. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.