MajorCommonTransmission

Mercedes-Benz A-Class: 8G-DCT Dual Clutch Transmission Shudder and Judder

8G-DCT Dual Clutch Transmission Shudder and Judder is a common transmission fault on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class on the 2018–2023 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $400 to $2,800 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 23 documented faults on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Engine: 8G-DCT
Years: 2018–2023
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: dct
System: Transmission

This page covers the Mercedes-Benz A-Class as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Mercedes-Benz A-Class faults23 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 8G-DCT (724.9) dual clutch transmission fitted to M260/M264 petrol variants exhibits pronounced shudder and judder during low-speed engagement, particularly on take-off from rest and creeping in traffic. The wet clutch pack is sensitive to contaminated or degraded ATF, and Mercedes-Benz issued multiple TSBs requiring transmission fluid replacement and clutch adaptation resets. Some units require clutch pack replacement if the fluid change does not resolve the issue. The problem is well-documented on North American and European owner forums and resulted in dealer-service campaigns in several markets.

What you would notice

Vibration or shudder felt through the floor when pulling away from rest at low throttle
Hesitation or clunky engagement when crawling in stop-start traffic
Judder when transitioning between gears 1-2 at low speed
Transmission warning light illumination in more advanced cases
Rough downshift feel when decelerating to a stop

How to check it

Where to look. Transmission tunnel; dual clutch unit mounted transversely under centre console

Test drive at slow crawling speeds (5-20 km/h) in traffic; feel and listen for vibration or shudder through drivetrain.
Ask dealer for any 8G-DCT fluid service history.
Check STAR Diagnosis for stored Transmission Control Unit fault codes P176500, P176600.

Parts involved: Clutch.

What it costs to put right

$400 to $2,800 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 8G-DCT transmission fluid ever been changed, and do you have a service record for it?”
“Has the car ever been to a dealer for a transmission shudder or judder complaint?”
“Does the car shudder when moving off slowly in a car park or in traffic?”

Now check the Mercedes-Benz A-Class 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 published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class buyer questions

Is 8g-dct dual clutch transmission shudder and judder serious on a Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

We rate it major and common on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The 8G-DCT (724.9) dual clutch transmission fitted to M260/M264 petrol variants exhibits pronounced shudder and judder during low-speed engagement, particularly on take-off from rest and creeping in traffic. The wet clutch pack is sensitive to contaminated or degraded ATF, and Mercedes-Benz issued multiple TSBs requiring transmission fluid replacement and clutch adaptation resets. Some units require clutch pack replacement if the fluid change does not resolve the issue. The problem is well-documented on North American and European owner forums and resulted in dealer-service campaigns in several markets.

How much does it cost to fix on a Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

$400 to $2,800 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 Mercedes-Benz A-Class years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2018–2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. 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.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Test drive at slow crawling speeds (5-20 km/h) in traffic; feel and listen for vibration or shudder through drivetrain. Ask dealer for any 8G-DCT fluid service history. Check STAR Diagnosis for stored Transmission Control Unit fault codes P176500, P176600. Look here: Transmission tunnel; dual clutch unit mounted transversely under centre console