2023 Hyundai Elantra: jerking or lurching

Filed Aug 21, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · RI

2023 Hyundai Elantra SEL. Car has been slow to start this week. When I depress the brake pedal and push to start, it will start then shut off in the middle of starting then I have to try again or it will sputter then fully start but every safety alert and electrical alarm will go off in my car and nothing clears it until I drive for about 5 minutes then they all clear. I went to AutoZone and they said my battery was normal health. When this slow start happens I also notice that my vehicle doesn’t accelerate as well and it feels like it’s trying too hard to the point it will jerk forward even when I’m only lightly pressing the accelerator. I noticed this, 2 winters ago (2024) as well and I thought it was due to the very cold weather we had. Brought it to my sister’s fiancée and he couldn’t find any DTC’s but agreed something felt off. The problem stopped and now it’s the middle of summer 2 years later and doing the same thing, to the point where I’m trying to merge onto I-95 and my car isn’t accelerating fast enough and I almost got rear ended!! It only happens at speeds under 50 and is extremely unsafe to have a vehicle where you don’t know if it will just turn off while you’re driving, stop accelerating or decide to not start that morning!!!

Filed Aug 14, 2026 · LA

The vehicle is a 2023 Hyundai Elantra N Line purchased from CarMax in February 2026 with approximately 40,000 miles. It currently has approximately 49,000 miles. The vehicle intermittently cuts off, hesitates to accelerate, and jerks/shudders during acceleration. The specific failed component or system is UNKNOWN because CarMax has not yet provided a definitive diagnosis. The suspected problem involves the engine, fuel/ignition system, transmission, electronic throttle, or another powertrain/control component, but this has not been confirmed. The vehicle’s sudden loss of power and hesitation during acceleration creates a safety risk because the vehicle may fail to accelerate when needed, including when entering traffic, changing lanes, or attempting to avoid a hazard. The unexpected cutting off of the vehicle also creates a risk of being stranded or struck by other vehicles. The problem has been reported to CarMax, but to my knowledge it has NOT been definitively diagnosed or confirmed by a dealer or independent repair facility. CarMax has required a diagnosis before proceeding with further assistance, resulting in delays in addressing the defect. I contacted Hyundai regarding the vehicle and was informed that the vehicle’s original sale/in-service date was October 6, 2023, and that Hyundai has no recorded service history at a Hyundai dealership since that date. Hyundai has not yet physically inspected the vehicle for this complaint. The specific warning lamps or diagnostic messages associated with the failure are UNKNOWN. The primary symptoms are the vehicle cutting off, hesitation when accelerating, and jerking/shuddering during acceleration. These symptoms have continued and remain unresolved. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I am requesting that the vehicle be professionally inspected and that the underlying cause of the loss of power, hesitation, and jerking be identified and documented.

Filed Aug 10, 2026 · Driver assistance · FL

While driving on [XXX] north near exit [XXX] in rain, at 70 mph Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assistance were on. The vehicle displayed a warning that the smart systems were disabled. The vehicle then began jerking and changing lanes and speed unexpectedly. The steering wheel pulled/jerked forcefully to the left and right and I had difficulty maintaining control of the vehicle. When I attempted to brake, the brake pedal became very hard and could not press down the vehicle did not slow normally. I was able to get the vehicle onto the shoulder and shut it off. After restarting the vehicle, the problem occurred again. The vehicle was towed to Wallace Hyundai dealership in Stewart Florida and is currently being diagnosed. The cause has not yet been determined. Scared me to death. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 18, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · VA

I purchased a 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid 2023 on December 15, 2023, and since early ownership I have experienced persistent jerking/clunking while slowing to a stop, harsh downshifts, hesitation during braking, and rough transitions between electric and engine power. The issue was first documented around 5,744 miles and continued through approximately six to eight repair/work orders, where dealerships repeatedly described the condition as normal hybrid/DCT behavior while performing software resets, adaptive relearns, and diagnostic checks. After continued complaints, Hyundai Techline became involved and the dealership concluded the vehicle “jerks pretty bad,” leading to a full transmission replacement under warranty. Despite the transmission replacement, the issue persisted and the dealership later confirmed slight clunking during downshifts and discovered a torn engine mount, which was also replaced. The dealership additionally noted that the issue did not occur while driving another Elantra Hybrid or the loaner vehicle, suggesting the condition was specific to my vehicle. I also opened a case with Hyundai Motor America Consumer Affairs regarding the recurring defect and repeated failed repair attempts, but the issue continues despite major drivetrain repairs. Hyundai Motors America Consumer Affairs has not been able to help me with this either. They also didn't provide me with the Federal Agency number when I requested them in order to reach out and seek help from the agencies. Hyundai didn't help me in any way. There were no warnings. They have been able to reproduce the issue but do not want to resolve the issue. I strongly believe no vehicle is designed in a way that it jerks and downshifts in a harsh manner causing distress to the driver/owner.

Filed Oct 27, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA · crash · 1 injury

I have been encountering a series of troubling and erratic issues with my vehicle. These problems occur under various driving conditions, including acceleration, steady-state driving, and braking. However, the most prevalent and problematic occurrences seem to transpire during acceleration and braking. During acceleration, I've observed inconsistent behavior. Sometimes, the car shifts smoothly, with minimal torque drop between gears. On other occasions, the vehicle accelerates initially but then abruptly loses all power between gears, resembling the sensation of someone engaging the clutch in a manual vehicle and shifting slowly. This results in a temporary power loss lasting 1-2 seconds, followed by an over-revving and clutch slip, leading to an unintended surge in acceleration. The issues I've encountered during braking typically begin with a chattering noise and vibrations that seem to be an imbalanced or shocked reciprocating mass, I can assume maybe one of the clutches/flywheel . This is often followed by decreased brake pedal linearity, requiring increased brake pedal pressure to stop. This normally results in an unintended aggressive forward jerk just before coming to a stop, akin to someone releasing a clutch on a manual transmission vehicle too quickly when downshifting while the engine speed is too low. One night I went to get diapers for my baby and it was raining and I hit the breaks and the breaks lost control and I crashed into a median wall and my car kept spinning around. Ambulance were called and I was admitted to the hospital with minor injuries.