Variable valve actuation system is one of the widely used techniques to improve the fuel efficiency and power of automotive engines. 2-step variable valve actuation systems are also paid attention for the application to direct acting type valve train systems. Besides its advantages in size, weight, relatively simple structure, ets, however, 2-step variable valve actuation system has inherent disadvantages in dynamic instability of switching system to alter discontinuous lift modes. In this study, both experimental and analytical studies are performed to understand the dynamic behavior of a switching mechanism of a 2-step variable valve actuation system, and present a design method to improve its dynamic instability.