Bouncy/Jittery Ride Quality

dp425 · Jan 1, 2019

I have a 2018 Navara NP300 twin turbo which has just covered 3000 miles.

The Nav has been fantastic and has been a joy to drive from day one and has been on both long and short runs with a mix of motorway, country roads and town traffic.

However, and this is the point of the thread, the ride seems to suddenly become very jittery/bouncy. I can feel every bump thru the driver's seat and it has become very annoying.

If I was to describe it it is almost like the suspension has become softer and you bounce rather than float?.

Cornering remains the same just seems to wallow over bumps and makes a meal of them.

Have looked underneath and all seems to be in place (am no mechanic) and the tyres are all at the right pressure and the load levels have not changed.

It's almost like the Nav is in permanent high 4 wheel drive, which it isn't.

Have booked it into a dealer on Friday however wondered if anyone has had a similar experience?.

JDO · Jan 2, 2019

I know it’s difficult to put the driving experience into words, but whether or not you’re in 4H shouldn’t affect ride quality, so I’m struggling with the analogy here.

A sudden change in suspension compliance would likely be a failed shock absorber, but that doesn’t account for everything you’re describing.

dp425 · Jan 2, 2019

It is a tough one to describe however when in 4 wheel drive the ride does change (on tarmac) as the movement becomes more jerky?.

Will get it to the dealer on friday and let them test drive it, it may be me but it just doesn't feel right - will report back any findings from them

JDO · Jan 2, 2019

Oh. I’ve never used 4WD on tarmac in the Nav, because I like my transfer case.

Cremator · Sep 2, 2020

It’s a pickup not a Bentley

dp425 · Jan 2, 2019

I know you shouldn't, more like light gravel than tarmac and only to 'test' the system - am not a big off roader, certainly not in my shiny new nav, will leave that to the knackered series land rover!

YORKIE1972 · Jul 2, 2019

I had the same issue with my old 2016 model and it went back to the dealers on several occasions. They did replace the rear shocks or so they say but it still did not feel great. After that they kept telling me that is how it should be. This was even after I told them that with only half a ton if bricks in the back it was bottoming out when going over speed bumps!
If I could have afforded it I would have upgraded the springs and shockers.

mjsaluba · Sep 1, 2020

would like to know how it was resolved just experienced the same with mine and made me think i should gotten myself a toyota

NAT990 · Sep 15, 2020

Same issue, but it seems to be common all round.

Upgraded aftermarket suspension seems to be the go.

Snax31 · May 3, 2021

Hi, I have just bought a 2018 tekna with 14k miles. took it for a test drive at the dealers around there smooth roads and liked the pickup so done the deal. Anyway coming home I live on a farm and coming up our road it was really jittery over the repaired potholed road even to the point the whole vehicle seems to shake and the jitters come right up through the seat, my old L200 was much smoother!!! Still 2 years warranty left so its going back to my local dealer to get the problem sorted out hopefully. I am gutted if i need to live with this jittery suspension as i love the rest of the pick up, can be used as a car for family trips but can also be used for work as required.
Did you ever get yours sorted out?
thanks.

NAT990 · May 3, 2021

For me, upgraded suspension solved the issue - the D23's are notorious for jittery ride on the rear due to suspension setup and not having a load, when loaded much smoother.

I ended up with the below:

https://www.pedders.com.au/kits/trakryder-4wd-under-vehicle-solutions/

Jm1235 · Apr 19, 2025

Did you ever get it sorted, I now have bought a 2018 and got the same problem test drove in a town, and get back to country roads it’s rubbish

prestonemail · Jul 3, 2025

Hmmm, same here. Now wondering why reviews don't mention this if it's normal/expected. I only noticed it once I'd had it for a few days. Garage says the only thing they could find was a cracked rear coil. Mechanic said he thought it felt ok to him.

I don't know how anybody could not notice it; when driving over tiny imperfections and even just painted lines it's like driving over those speed reducing rumble strips. On a corner or two I've hit a rough patch (nothing like a pothole) and felt the car bounce/crab sideways slightly.

I love everything bout the truck but if this is 'normal' I'll be offloading it soon.

pcb1962 · Jul 5, 2025

The problem is that a truck's suspension design is always going to be a compromise, it has to work when it's empty and also when it has a ton in the tub or towing a 3 ton trailer.
It's always going to be a bit skittish when it's empty, other trucks (without coil springs) are much worse for this than the Navara.
Try it with a decent load in the tub and you'll find it's much more settled.

prestonemail · Jul 13, 2025

I've been driving a 2006 L200 for 12 years so I'm familiar with the deficiencies of pick-up truck ride when empty, but it was never as bad as this.

It reacts to the smallest imperfection in the road - right down to paint markings and cats eyes - and not just feel them come through as a little bump, but as a judder through the stirring wheel and seat.

randolphmoomon · Jul 19, 2025

Could it be the bushes have gone and it's down to steel on steel

Bouncy/Jittery Ride Quality

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