2005 Hyundai Santa Fe: jerking or lurching

Filed Mar 13, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 189,000 miles · OH

I had purchased this auto in may 2017. From a used car dealership. They had gotten the auto from a auto auction. When I purchased the auto - I purchased as is- no warranty- I test drove auto- had inspected- no major problems at that time. Had auto for a week- broke down- problems::::: very slow acceleration, shifting gears and jerking of the auto, very fast idling when stopping- I am writing to you because :::::after purchasing auto::::- can not drive. I have had 3 estimates- no one really knows what is wrong with the auto or diagnose the auto properly. I am unable to drive since I purchased the auto. It just sits, and when I think the problem is fixed, then it stops running. Some say it is the :::::catalytic converters - it has 3 that needs replaced.::::::: I reported in my residence better business bureau - complaint resolution and to the attorney general office- both said they not not resolve :::: the dealership- does not want to mediate - or take back the auto. I could not afford to file a claim- in small claims court- and did not know if it would be worth my time. ::::::::: I know the auto is 2005 and has 189,000 now- but I feel that I have a auto now that is a safety hazard- if I am able to get the auto running - and it jerks around- and stops in traffic - it could cause me to have a accident. It is unsafe to have the auto on road at all.. It is also a environmental problem due to the unsafe catalytic converters- they get hot and can catch on fire.:::::::::: I can not find mechanics that want to work with the converters................. I paid 3,000 for the auto- it will cost this or more to actually fix the auto............. I am writing to the federal safety agency- to get any feedback from you. Sincerely, m- very frustrated driver

Filed Jan 31, 2018 · Acceleration, Transmission · 139,000 miles · NM

Vehicle had been accelerating on its own while driving low speeds and on the highway. There were moments when it lurched itself forward quite violently, more so after transmission had time to warm up. Have also experienced moments of deceleration without cause. Its as if the vehicle cannot properly shift gears. Check engine light came on. This happened over the course of a couple of weeks. Had vehicle looked over by mechanic but they could not replicate the issue. Vehicle is parked until another mechanic can look at it. It is by no means safe to drive until problem is fixed.

Filed Jan 8, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 13,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 hyundai santa fe. While driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle jerked. The failure recurred, the vehicle stalled, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,000.

Filed Oct 29, 2014 · Engine · 140,000 miles · FL

After a stop, engine suddenly surged and vehicle lurched forward. This is the most recent incident; there have been approx 15 similar incidents over past 12-18 months.

Filed Sep 19, 2014 · Brakes, Transmission · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 hyundai santa fe. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle jerked and the contact would have to depress the brake pedal firmly in order to stop the vehicle. The failures occurred on numerous occasions. An independent mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Apr 22, 2013 · Engine · 50,000 miles · IA

When I'm starting up from a stopped position, the car jerks forward as if I have "floored it." I am a realtor and drive 100's of miles a week. This happens at least twice a day, on average.

Filed Feb 14, 2012 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 55,000 miles · FL

Sudden unintended acceleration. While driving my vehicle, the car "lurches" forward and the engine "reves" up. I've had it to the mechanic numerous times and they can not seem to find a reason for this to be happening. It is a very scary situation. I have 2 small children and have become fearful when driving my car. This happens on the highway as well as regular street roads. I've seen many forums on line with the same complaints from other hyundai owners. I really hope that someone looks into these complaints.

Filed Apr 13, 2008 · Acceleration · 1 miles · WI

When accelerating from a stop, this vehicle hesitates and then lurches forward with extreme uncontrolled acceleration. On wet or slippery pavement this vehicle is completely unsafe. I have read the federal safety agency web site and can see complaint after complaint on this vehicle, yet no recalls issued by the federal safety agency. Not sure why we are wasting my time, but at least when I am killed in this vehicle my wife will be able to now include nhsta in the lawsuit as you, the governing body, have now been officially informed of a safety defect!

Filed Mar 17, 2007 · Acceleration · TX

I am the owner of a 2005 santa fe w/a 3.5l engine. I've recently taken my vehicle in to have some warranty items taken care of. I asked that my car also be fixed in regards to an acceleration concern. For example: 1. While departing from a stopped position, the car will violently jerk your head back. This occurs while barely touching the accelerator. 2. When the car is in motion I can feel it surging forward and back. I have had several people drive the car to make sure it wasn't me, and they all experienced the same results. When the service manager at a hyundai dealership drove the car, he at first said he didn't feel anything. Then, after further complaint by me, he admitted that, "well, there was a little bit of surge, but that's just because it's the type of engine". I asked what could be done about it and he told me, "nothing, that's just the way it is. They've had several complaints and now they don't use that engine anymore." I said it felt like it was getting worse over time and he said, "it probably is, but there is still nothing they can do about it". Hyundai was apparently aware that there is a concern of safety with this engine since they no longer use the engine and are manufacturing their santa fe's with an improved, safer engine. I am at the point where I no longer feel as if I am driving a safe vehicle and I am getting tired of people asking me why my car jerks forward. (the car snaps your head back and I do not want to be held accountable if someone gets hurt.) there are numerous complaints to the federal safety agency and I do not want to be killed or kill someone on the road because my car concerns were not addressed by the appropriate administration of hyundai. If the federal safety agency has yet to formally force hyundai into fixing this issue, I am requesting that now is the time to do so. Hyundai's lack of interest in the safety of their customers and the general public is unacceptable.

Filed Sep 13, 2006 · Acceleration · 1,991 miles · CA

Dt: the contact stated while stopped at a red light, the vehicle lurched forward without warning. The vehicle stopped after applying brake pressure, placing the vehicle in park, and turning off the ignition. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who was unable to duplicate the problem, but suggested that the contact should not use floor gear shift of the automatic transmission as though it were a manual transmission while driving. The manufacturer was alerted.

Filed Apr 6, 2006 · Acceleration · PA

To whom it may concern: we are writing to you concerning a safety problem with our hyundai santa fe SUV that we purchased in september 2005. We have returned to the dealership on several occasions as well as contacted the hyundai corporate USA headquarters, but to no avail. The problem relates to the gas pedal and its acceleration. When the car is at a stop and you apply your foot to the gas pedal, it hesitates and then lurches forward. This in itself is dangerous enough, but if the roads are wet or snow covered, the car tends to slip and skid. By way of explanation, the dealer claims this delay in acceleration is due to the fly-by wire acceleration system. Interestingly enough, the dealership and the head quarters acknowledge the problem, but state that it is merely a function of the vehicle and there is nothing that can be done. We would like to see this problem corrected before a serious accident occurs and would appreciate any assistance that you could provide. Thanking you in advance for your concern and help. Sincerely, bruce and lynne blatt. *jb

Filed Jan 29, 2006 · Acceleration · 1,000 miles · ME

The throttle hangs up when going from a dead stop. This causes the car to lurch ahead so fast it spins the tires. This will cause you to rearend a car in traffic , or to pull out in traffic to late which could also cause an accident.