2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: jerking or lurching

Filed Feb 20, 2026 · Engine · 120,000 miles · NV

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact received an undisclosed recall notification, and the local dealer was contacted; however, there were no appointments available. On a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an O'Reilly's Auto Parts to be diagnosed, and DTC: P1326 was retrieved. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that there were damages to the engine caused by engine misfire. The dealer was in the process of determining if the engine needed to be replaced. The contact waited and then called the dealer and was informed that DTC: P1326 was not the correct code and that there was another fault code related to the recall. The contact was informed that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Dec 11, 2025 · Engine · MA

I have been experiencing issues with oil consumption, having to get oil changes every 2 months and sometimes monthly with no reported leaks from 2 different mechanics. I have been very high maintenance over my oil. While I was driving on the highway, my vehicle began to shake and a knocking sound was heard. I felt the vehicle begin to jerk but no warning lights were on. I was no longer able to drive and had to pull over and wait for a tow to my mechanic's garage. The mechanic let me know there was an issue with the engine, specifically the 3rd cylinder and the piston. It does not put out as much pressure as it is supposed to. I brought the vehicle to the dealership after and they confirmed this was an issue and quoted me $8700 in repairs. There were no warning lights and no engine lights prior to this happening. I was informed by my mechanic that this is a known issue with Hyundai in their 2018 models having failing engines. I purchased the vehicle certified pre-owned with a guarantee from the dealership that I was purchasing a reliable vehicle that should have no issues of this degree.

Filed Jun 24, 2025 · Engine · MD

In May while driving on the highway my car suddenly wouldnt accelerate and started jerking. It would go past 60-65 and the engine light was on. Took it to get repaired and they stated the whole engine needed to be replaced. Never once had an issue with my car until then. Of course we got the runaround went it came to the warranty. After repairs I notice my car does not run the same and that its slow to accelerate. Fast forward about a month later the starter goes bad in the car and now its completely unoperable.

Filed May 12, 2025 · Engine · 99,501 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 50 MPH, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's husband was able to pull over to the side of the road and ended up inside a ditch before the vehicle came to a stop. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had failed. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, who confirmed that the engine had failed; and there was gasoline intrusion into the engine, causing engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that a manager would contact her. The vehicle remained at the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 99,501.

Filed Jan 12, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · IN

In May 2024, the vehicle's oil light came on while slightly turning the wheel or braking. When taken to a dealership, they stated that the car only had one quart of oil remaining, which was 4,000 miles after my last oil change and not due for another 1,000 miles. They stated there was excessive oil consumption and recommended the vehicle be taken to Hyundai dealer. I took the vehicle to Hyundai dealer in August 2024 because the car was making a rattling sound when accelerating from 0-40mph along with the car jerking between 30-40mph if accelerating except when only applying light pressure to the accelerator. Hyundai dealer stated there was no oil remaining in the vehicle, which was why the vehicle was shaking and rattling when accelerating. They began a claim process with Hyundai as the vehicle was under 100K warranty. After two consumption tests, it was deemed the vehicle was not consuming oil as previously thought. After the last consumption test in October 2024, the oil light began to come back on with me braking the vehicle. Hyundai dealer stated there was nothing further they could do to assist and stated I'd need to reach out to Hyundai customer care to file a report. I did this 10/18/24, and in December, Hyundai customer care told me to take the vehicle back to Hyundai dealer. Hyundai said at that time that now there was an oil leak from the oil pressure sensor, which allowed oil to pass through the entire main wiring of the engine until it reached the PCM. They said I need to replace the PCM, oil pressure switch, and engine control harness for $7,000, not covered by the warranty. Parts are also on backorder for over a year. My car's oil light continues to come on, and now the engine light is coming on while my car shakes when I reach 45mph or greater. It is deemed no longer safe to drive the vehicle, especially with my children in the car. When I checked the dipstick, it was completely out of oil, which was 1500 miles after they performed oil change.

Filed Dec 23, 2024 · Engine · AL

Driving on highway, when accelerator failed to maintain, the car started to jerk. After blocking traffic behind me, I was able to pull car over on the side of the busy highway, with smoke coming from hood. This was well after dark, and it was towed to a local and dependable mechanic. He had told me the engine was cracked. I am in the process of finding out if I am eligible for the extended warranty, for I meet all requirements

Filed Apr 25, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · TX

While driving my 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport in freeway traffic, I felt the vehicle begin to heavily vibrate and the engine was jerking severely. The speed began to slowly descend. I was unable to control this. I was in a one-lane overpass, with no safe place, room, or lane to pull over. I felt hopeless and fearful for my life. I was literally drifting, praying the vehicle would be able to handle the descent upward. As the speed declined, the vibrations became more pronounced. No dash lights were illuminated. Other drivers behind me were approaching rapidly at the speed limit and slamming on their brakes and hazard lights in an attempt to notify drivers further back. I managed to maneuver over to approximately 24 inches of a faux shoulder on the right of [XXX] . Cars hurled past mine within inches of my vehicle. I knew I needed to get out of the car and crawled over to the passenger side. Again, I was trapped. Several HPD units were dispatched to literally shut down the freeway to enable a tow truck driver to safely hook up my SUV. I had it towed to my mechanic and he did a diagnostic indicating a compression issue. He ordered new spark plus and 4 new coils. Upon further investigation he discovered that Cylinder 4 was not holding compression and he informed me that the engine had failed. I then had it towed to the local Hyundai dealer. At check in, I was informed that there would be a $700 diagnostic/tear apart fee to discover what repairs were needed. I informed them exactly what was needed and I expected a new engine. The Hyundai mechanic dismantled the engine and took pictures, ran a few tests. He submitted the results to Hyundai for approval. The engineer at Hyundai denied a new engine claiming "the head coil is not part of the recall". I was told for $2500, Hyundai would "refab" my damaged head to control the leaks. If that repair didn't address the issue, I was sure to get a new engine. A financial and physical risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6

Filed Mar 18, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · MO

Within the last few weeks my 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV has been experiencing few noticeable issues. 1st my vehicle doesn’t want to start when I turn the key, I have to open the door close it then try again and it will turn over to start. 2nd recently driving on the highway my vehicle slowed all the way down and started jerking like it wanted to cut off. I would push my accelerator down as far as possible and it will still go slow and not speed up.3rd my vehicle is making a throttle/knocking noise and a blinking check engine light is on as well.

Filed Dec 17, 2019 · 31,000 miles · IN

My vehicle hesitates randomly upon acceleration after having stopped.....going from first gear to third....it feels like it is about to stall, so I let up on the gas pedal and then immediately press it again to accelorate.....as I then accelerate, the vehicle lurches forward abruptly, jerking everyone inside the vehicle....in reading about this problem, it seems to have occured in your 2017 santa fe sport suvs.....

Filed Jun 7, 2019 · Engine · 11,653 miles · KS

While driving my practically new 2018 hyundai santa fe sport with 11,653 miles, it suddenly jerked out of cruise at 65 MPH and the dashboard lit up along with the touch screen that said to call customer care immediately. A nice man at the other end of the phone checked my car as I was driving but could find nothing after running the diagnostic. He said I should be able to drive it about another 300 miles but should get to my dealership as soon as possible. I told him I was over 300 miles from home so he helped locate a hyundai dealership closer and I headed that way while still talking to the customer care guy. As I was getting on the on-ramp to travel I-35, the car jerked and acted like it lost power and I pulled over. The guy called a tow truck to come after the car and have it towed to the dealership. My car went to the nearest dealership where they ran a diagnostic and could not find anything either and said they had to wait on hyundai corporate to authorize them to check the engine. That took several more days but once they received the authorization, they dropped the oil pan and found metal shavings in the oil which indicated my engine was blown and would need a replacement. Initially, they said it might take up to 6 weeks. After several phone calls hyundai finally assigned me a case number and a case manager. The case manager was worthless, would not return my calls or send any updates about the status of my vehicle. Finally, hyundai corporate assigned me another case manager and after looking at my state's lemon laws, I asked them to buy my car back from me. The second case manager sent me a letter asking for some documentation and told me they would send a re-purchase offer. That was over a month ago and I still have heard nothing from hyundai. It has now been 83 days since my car quit with no resolution in sight.

Filed Jul 12, 2018 · Acceleration · 12,000 miles · IL

Several incidents of stalling when making turns from stops or yields with slow acceleration. Intermittent incidents, though seem to be more noticeable with A/C running. My hyundai santa fe sport, 2018, awd, does have approximately 12,000 miles on it. When pulling onto the busy highway near where we live, a left turn with prompt acceleration is critical. On about 6 incidents, including 2 in the last week, I have started the turn, then lost acceleration, put the pedal to the floor then it would hesitate for another 1-2 seconds, then jerk up to 7000rpm and the traction control would kick in (light on dash comes on), then takes off quickly. Thus far, no one has been in harms way, however, I fear it will happen. On 7/12/2018 I did take to kc summers hyundai in mattoon, il. They performed a full inspection, took it for test drive, ran diagnostics and found nothing. I was told there was nothing showing on the computer either. No tsb's. They encouraged me to bring it in each time it occurs in the future. No complaints about the service. I did provide them with the other complaints on this site from many others about this problem and asked them to keep it in my file.

Filed Feb 6, 2018 · Transmission · 75 miles · CA

New car with less than 400 miles. I have experienced 7 episodes during the month of january, where the car fails to accelerate when turning onto a city street. This has happened with both right or left turns to enter traffic from a stop sign. It is just unresponsive for 1-2 seconds then engages with a bit of a jerk. Very frightening! I've had a feeling of panic not knowing if the car will move forward as traffic is approaching. Took to dealership where they checked for dtcs and computer updates. Since the problem is unpredictably intermittent, the road test did not replicate the problem, and they returned the car saying it "drives as designed". There is definitely a safety issue that should be resolved before releasing the car. I have lost confidence in the car I had hoped would be safe and problem free.