A month ago, after driving for 2 hours, my car suddenly started jerking on the highway. By the time I pulled over, the car died and everything turned off.
I was able to start the car again and exit the highway even though it was jerking at low speed. I turned off the car for 10 minutes and it wasn't as bad after that. I managed to drive home which is 2 hours further.
The following check engine light was on
P0341 - Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
but the mechanic couldn't find anything because it was not happening anymore. They cleared the code and it hasn't come back.
Although, 2 days after a new code appeared
P0420: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1
For this new code, the oxygen sensors were tested and they were fine so they suspect that the car needs a new catalytic converter.
After that, I was good for a month without any problem, but this week it started jerking again. It's not as bad as before, the car hasn't died on me yet but it's weird because it's intermittent. I drive about 10 hours every weekend and it would happen midway for about 15 minutes and then stop.
I added stp and gumout fuel injector cleaner and use premium gas but it didn't make any difference.
Could it be the spark plugs?
There's no check engine light for missfire.
What should I check next?
EDIT
The Jerking is back and forth as in front to back and does not change based on the speed. The intensity varies based on the day, not the rpm or the speed. Most days it's really subtle or not present and other days it's shakes so hard that I have to stop and restart the car. I haven't tried to put my car to neutral while this happens. I will try next time and post an update.
EDIT
The 2 oxygen sensors were replaced and the problem would still happen but rarely.
It could be a coincidence but I noticed that it's more frequent when the temperature is around 10-15°C so it's only an issue during spring and fall.
Also, it happens if I reset the check engine light. I have to restart the car and the jerking will stop when the check engine light is back on.
It was fine until this week but I started hearing a rattling sound under the car and now the car starts jerking on the highway after 15 minutes. It gets so bad that I have to stop the car for 10 minutes.
Could it be related to the rattling sound?
I was wondering if it could be a clogged catalytic converter? Although, I don't smell anything bad.