2017 Hyundai Elantra: jerking or lurching

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · OH

I leased my 2017 Hyundai Elantra new in July 2016 and later purchased it. As of September 2026, it has approximately 77,000 miles. I am reporting two unresolved safety concerns despite repeated repairs and more than five months of seeking assistance from Hyundai. Multiple ignition coils have failed during my ownership. Most recently, I paid approximately $400 for service after another coil failure. Although the check engine light is no longer illuminated, the vehicle continues to struggle to accelerate and abruptly jerks or “burps,” particularly around 30 mph. At times, I must press the accelerator nearly to the floor to gain enough speed to safely merge onto the highway. I commute approximately 40 miles round trip, including stop-and-go highway traffic, and am concerned about my safety. When I reported that the symptoms continued after the repair, the Hyundai dealer said I would need to pay another diagnostic fee while also stating their equipment might not identify the problem without an illuminated check engine light. My driver-side exterior door handle is also completely inoperable. This issue was previously repaired by Hyundai under warranty and a known issue with the model year, but the repair has failed and the driver’s door cannot be opened from outside. To enter my vehicle, I must climb through the front passenger door, lower the driver’s window, exit, walk around the vehicle, reach through the window, and open the door using the interior handle. After more than five months of contacting Hyundai and seeking service, both issues remain unresolved. I am concerned about the safety of continuing to operate this vehicle and about the failure of a previously completed recall repair. I am requesting that the federal safety agency document and review these safety concerns.

Filed Mar 7, 2025 · Engine · 202,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was making abnormal sounds while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where unknown engine parts and a computer part were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while coming to a complete stop, the vehicle was jerking. The low oil pressure warning light was illuminated; however, the contact stated that an oil change had recently been performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with excessive oil consumption. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair could not be covered because the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 202,000.

Filed Feb 9, 2025 · Transmission · CA

The clutch/transmission clunks or jerks randomly when accelerator is pressed to gain speed, from stop or passing, in any drive mode. Believe this has been going on the past several years.

Filed Jun 28, 2024 · Steering · TX

When reversing and turning my wheels either right or left would hear a clunking sound. When putting my car in drive and straighten wheels, I would hear and feel something slip. While driving and making a right or left turn, on several occasions I have had to literally jerk the steering wheel to straighten vehicle wheels back straight to prevent from keep turning. Dealing with this issue and several trips to a dealership and the issue unresolved I went elsewhere. The automotive repair shop immediately shared with me the issue was related to the "steering coupler"! To date I am very concerned about the safety of driving my vehicle as to not knowing when or if it will completely fail while driving? Safety issue!

Filed Oct 9, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · WI

While at red lights, coasting or waiting in drive-thru the car starts jerking and shaking. Will stall and fail to accelerate, sometimes coming a complete stop. Turning on and off the vehicle only works some of the time. This started in 2020 and went on for months while Hyundai kept "fixing" the car. Coils were replaced in 2020. Now again in 2023, exact same issue. On 9/29/23 car starting jerking while waiting at red light, turning car on and off worked. On 10/1/2023 car starting jerking and shaking while waiting in a drive thru, this time it did not stop no matter how many times I turned my car on and off. They are trying to tell me this is wear and tear on my part. Car is no longer drivable since you never know when this issue will happen.

Filed Aug 28, 2023 · Engine · 145,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while pulling out of the driveway and shifting into drive (D), the vehicle started lunging and jerking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle responded as needed as she continued driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where it was determined that the failure was related to the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was unable to pull to the side of the road. The contact beeped the horn to avoid being rear-ended. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to respond while driving from a complete stop at the traffic light. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Filed May 14, 2023 · Engine · VA

Ignition Coil Failure on 2017 Hyundai Elantra with just over 29,000 miles. Engine misfiring, jerking, idling roughly, and hesitating while accelerating, along with the Check Engine Light turning on. On-board diagnostic tool generated a P0-301 Diagnostic Trouble Code - indicating that cylinder number 1 experiencing misfires. Took my car to dealer for repair. Ignition coil and software updated pursuant to Hyundai TSB # 20-FL-001H. Cost $321.46. Hyundai would not pay for all/part of the repair because car is beyond the 5 year/60,000 mile warranty, despite this being a safety issue they acknowledged by issuing the TSB to address the replacement of the defective ignition coils. Hyundai previously issued safety recall on 2106 Sonata models related to a similar defective ignition coil issue. See Hyundai TSB # 16-01-003-1. Ignition coils are expected to last at least 100,000 miles. The premature failure of this part, as evidenced by the 2016 recall, and the 2020 TSB, poses an unreasonable safety risk to the public. Imagine the safety issues while traveling on a roadway with your car misfiring, jerking, or lacking power when accelerating, or stalling.

Filed Dec 22, 2022 · Airbags, Steering · TN

The passenger side door will not open from the outside also the passenger airbag light comes on and off by itself also the steering wheel is jerky and movement

Filed Aug 15, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · 44,000 miles · OR · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the fuel warning light flickered and the radio activated and deactivated independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the vehicle was performing as designed due to a satellite not being connected. On another occasion, the vehicle accelerated on its own and the brake pedal hesitated to respond. The contact depressed the brake pedal to the floorboard in order for the vehicle to come to a stop. The vehicle was taken to another dealer due to the above failures; in addition to shuttering and jerking while depressing on the accelerator, as if it was not receiving fuel. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact did a private diagnosis which indicated electrical system malfunction. The contact was informed to start using a halo battery charger to jump the vehicle. The contact then stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH at night, the vehicle started accelerating inadvertently, and she then turned on high beams for better visibility to pull over safely; however, they failed. The contact then pulled her emergency brakes and ended in a ditch. All air bags deployed. The contacts phone and alert device did not operate. The contact was able to call her son, who called 911. The police, fire, and paramedics arrived on the scene. The fire department cut the contact out of the destroyed vehicle. There were no medical treatments on the scene. The contact was transported to the hospital. The entire driver's side of the vehicle from the front end to the back rear and the entire front of the vehicle was destroyed. The contact experienced a bad concussion and blacked out. The vehicle was towed to the wrecking yard. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.

Filed Jul 13, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · GA

This is just to inform the issue that I faced with my car, Hyundai Elantra 2017. The incident happened twice. I was driving once on an interstate, luckily was driving very slow (due to traffic), when I accelerated a from a halt position the car started to jerk and the engine light came up and the car stopped. I then took the car on the shoulder and turned on the car after 5minutes, luckily the light went away and was able to drive back home slowly and safely without any problem then. Thought it's just a one off situation. This again happened when I was driving in the city; Stopped at a signal and was starting from stop position on a signal when the engine light shows up again and car started to jerk again, with that on I slowly drove 1 mile back to home. The next working day I took it to the dealership to get the car checked. The service center said that they will have to replace 4 spark plugs, 4 Coils, and the driver belt. I got that replaced and got the car back finally after 2 weeks. It was disappointing to hear that warranty didn't cover anything. My car is 5.5 years old and 61,000 miles only and the dealership and Hyundai USA declined the request to cover any of the charges saying it's out of warranty. (i.e. just 1000 miles outside the limit of 60K and 6 months outside the window of 5years). Today I just wanted to share the experience that I had and that just at 61000 miles, it gave what seemed to be a big problem with the powertrain and at that time felt unsafe to drive.

Filed Jun 23, 2022 · Body, Engine · GA

Car has failed to turn over/start on numerous occasions. It will take multiple times to turn over before it fires up. Car has also been very jerky in 1st gear aka going slow. Rough jerking spasms at 10mph or such. Car has also lost power numerous times while driving at high speeds.

Filed Dec 13, 2021 · Engine · OR

My daughter purchased her first car, a 2017 Hyundai Elantra, last December (2020). She drove it for the first few months without any major issues but then it started having issues with the car “jerking” and stalling every time she drove it. It actually stopped in the middle of the road multiple times and she had to start it up again, which is highly unsafe. The check engine light came on and she took it to the local O’Reilley auto parts for the free diagnostic scan. It pulled up a camshaft sensor. Her best friend’s dad is a local mechanic and has a high-tech reader, so he plugged it in and it pulled up camshaft/crankshaft. He also noted that the oil was really low (she had it for six months at this point). No oil light on. They added oil to it. The car sat in our driveway for a few months until we could afford to repair it. Took it to the local repair store and they stated that one of the major issues was the timing chain was loose due to “worn sprockets” (which the mechanic stated appeared to be a manufacturing defect as they are too short to properly grasp like they are supposed to). After completing a $1800 timing belt repair they are now stating that, that was not the only issue and that the motor itself is going to need to be replaced. At this point, the car is not valued at the price of the repairs and replacement, leaving my daughter without a car and with a finance payment. I’m at a loss of what to do. I do not know much about cars but I do know that a car that was manufactured in 2017 should not need an entire motor replaced by 2021.