2008 Hyundai Elantra: jerking or lurching

Filed Jul 18, 2025 · Fuel system · GA

Has not yet been officially diagnosed by a dealer or independent service center, but while turning into a neighborhood at around 15-25 mph the car jerked and the engine suddenly stalled while I was still in the middle of the road. Thankfully I rolled into the neighborhood before an oncoming car made its way over, but it was close. The gas pedal no longer worked, and I had to restart the car. It only drove once more before shutting down and the engine will no longer turn over.

Filed Apr 21, 2025 · Fuel system · 172,600 miles · WV

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with fuel pump failure. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled intermittently. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 172,600.

Filed Nov 8, 2021 · Brakes · 198,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving and at undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking and making a loud humming noise coming from the vehicle while depressing on the brake pedal. The contact stated that the ABS failure message was displayed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The contact was concerned about the brakes on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 198,000.

Filed Jun 2, 2012 · Transmission · 48,000 miles · NJ

I started to exit the vehicle in park on a very slight incline when it started bucking forward and I almost fell out of the vehicle. I told hyundai service that it was dangerous and should be repaired and they said to put the emergency brake on before I put it in park and it was not an issue. I have driven hundreds of cars and never had a car start jerking forward in park no matter what incline I was on. This condition is dangerous and hyundai should fix it. The shifter stays in park while this is occurring.

Filed Jul 29, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · OH · crash

2008 hyundai elantra. Consumer states vehicle malfunction *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle would unexpectedly stall and jerk at high speeds. It would also happen when the cruise control was set. The dealer concluded that no problem existed with the vehicle. The consumer stated the problem happened randomly and without warning. The consumer stated she had an accident during inclement weather due to the vehicle stalling.

Filed Mar 10, 2010 · Fuel system · 19,650 miles · CA

When we called to hyundai motor company about the recall campaign on 65000 units hyundai elantra 2008 asking why we did not receive the notification. Their response as follows " we have received your email regarding when you will receive a recall notice for your 2008 elantra. After researching your concern we have determined that your vehicle is not affected by campaign 086 for the fuel filter. Fuel pumps installed in vehicles prior to november 5, 2007, and since june 28, 2008, were manufactured with upper body components that maintain proper armature alignment. The models produced during that production date range are the only ones affected by the armature alignment condition. Your vehicle was produced on 9/29/2007". Our conclusion that hyundai just screen out the demand of recall repairs and wait until incident crash occurred or law suit if the fuel pump failure. When I drive on the street or freeway, sometimes I feel the vehicle is slow down and jerking or jump as no fuel injected or pumped properly in the engine despite of middle grade 98 octane gas.

Filed Jul 6, 2009 · Fuel system, Transmission · 8,918 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 hyundai elantra. Whenever the contact shifted into park, the gear would never stick. The vehicle would either move forward for a few seconds before coming to a complete stop. Whenever the gear was in drive, the vehicle would jerk forward. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle would not move or would suddenly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times for these failures. During the first visit, the mechanic replaced the transmission, which corrected the issue for less than four months. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and they stated that the solenoids were causing the failures. The dealer replaced the valve assembly and the solenoids. There had been no further occurrences since the last repair. The contact believes that a recall should be issued since it appeared to be a manufacturer defect. The failure mileage was 8,918 and current mileage was 11,792. Updated 7/23/09 *cn the consumer also stated there was a smell of gas in the vehicle. Updated 07/30/09.

Filed Aug 15, 2008 · Fuel system · 1,100 miles · IN

Was driving new elantra (1100 miles and 12 days of ownership) on highway when vehicle started sputtering and lost power no matter how much gas I fed it. Pulled over and turned off car. Restarted vehicle with difficulty and "check engine" light indicating emissions problem came on. Car seemed fine until 2-3 miles later when same symptoms (lurching, losing power) recurred.. This happened 2 more times, each time I managed to pull off road, turned off car, let it sit and then took multiple attempts at starting before it engaged and ran very rough, with very little power. Intent was to get to a safe place to stop. Car was towed to nearest huyndai dealership (I was 150 miles from home) where they initially diagnosed bad gas. But car ran 175 miles on that tank of gas before problem occurred. Then they diagnosed bad fuel pump and replaced fuel pump. Hyundai roadside assistance was useless -- had to arrange for own tow truck -- hyundai did not offer replacement vehicle or even reimbursement for gas for me to drive back and forth to pick up my dead new car from being repaired 150 miles from home. We've not had further problems (now have 7500 miles on it) but I am on edge expecting another break-down after reading other people's experiences.