2014 Hyundai Santa Fe: jerking or lurching

Filed Jun 17, 2026 · Engine · TX

We are the original owner of a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe. The vehicle is experiencing issues from internal engine oil consumption caused by a manufacturing defect in the GDI powertrain. In 2023, while driving under normal operating conditions, the vehicle began severely jerking, shuddering and hesitating during acceleration. This hesitation and sudden drop in power creates a severe and immediate traffic hazard, as the vehicle loses acceleration capabilities unpredictably while driving, merging, entering a highway or crossing intersections. I have since experience low oil volume due to this systemic oil consumption. On April 7, 2023 while I was under the 100,000 mile factory warranty (at 99,644), the issues were reported to the dealership but they found no issues. Since then the engine light come up regularly and we must add or change oil soon. On June 15, 2026 we took it back with the same issue and we have been told after checking it and filling it up we must repeat the process from 2023, drive it for 1000 miles without changing or adding oil, even if it dries up. This will create a safety hazard not only for the public but for my family. Now we are told the engine needs to be replaced but since we're out of warranty, we must pay $21,000. We were under warranty when we reported the issue and they purposedly led us out knowing the issues were happening to other Sonata and Santa Fe models. Now we are left with a dangerous vehicle which we cannot in good faith sell to any other family.

Filed Oct 2, 2023 · Engine · NC

The engine burns oil at an alarming rate. It also frequently stalls when driving on the highway, trying to accelerate, or when driving up hill. The gas pedal will shake when accelerating and the car sometimes feels like it’s jerking. I have done an oil consumption test and tried to work with a local dealership that told me there are recalls on all of the other engines in this make and model but not my liter. He said that a recall should be issued because this is a common problem but it has not been done yet. When the car displays these engine issues the Check engine light comes on, most of the time if you stop the car and wait 10ish minutes then restart the light will be gone.

Filed May 14, 2021 · Engine · 110,000 miles · AR · fire

The contact owns a 2014 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The contact stated that smoke started coming from the passenger’s side tire. The contact stated that the oil from the engine was leaking onto the brakes causing the smoke. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and upon exiting the vehicle, noticed that the engine was damaged. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to gossett hyundai south (2660 mt moriah rd, memphis, tn 38115) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v226000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Filed Dec 20, 2020 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 85,000 miles · CA

There is a significant leap or jerk when it shifts from 1st to 2nd gear. Seems to happen when the car is cold. I have taken it to the local hyundai dealership that claimed it didn't do it when they drove it. After picking it up from them, the car ran beautifully for about two weeks. They don't claim to have done anything but from I can find out about this problem is that they reset the computer but it doesn't fix anything. This is a safety hazard. The car jerks violently when starting off at a stop light and jerks violently when it comes to a stop as downshifts. I have been able to make it stop when I put it in park, turn off the engine and then turn it back on. Seems to reset the computer and it's ok for a week. I believe hyundai does know about this problem with the santa fe and the elantra. They just have not come up with an updated software program that will fix this hazardous situation. The other problem is the blind side detection becomes disabled when it is raining making that a hazardous situation as well.

Filed Nov 18, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 56,000 miles · TX

Car loses pressure car down shifts very hard and jerks non stop while driving

Filed May 23, 2019 · Engine · 50,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 hyundai santa fe. While driving 30 MPH, a knocking noise was heard underneath the front of the vehicle. In addition, when driving at a low speed, the vehicle would jerk. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to ourisman hyundai (located at 3516 fort meade rd, laurel, md 20724, (301) 725-4400), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 15786624. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed May 8, 2019 · Engine · 1 miles · FL · fire

On friday 4/26/19, I was driving along the highway and all of a sudden there was a jerking movement, all error lights came on to the dashboard, and lots of smoke out the back underneath the car. I immediately pulled over to the side of the highway and a gentleman saw what happened said to shut off the engine that there was fire. I got out and noticed all of the oil draining from the engine and liquid dripping and sparking upon reaching the ground. There was a bolt found on the flatbed tow truck which was determined to be a bolt for a piston rod that shot through the block and oil pan. There was a catastrophic failure to the engine.

Filed Mar 4, 2017 · Steering · 29,000 miles · AL

When driving, the wheel sticks into what it thinks is center .we must use two hands to drive the car at all times and clutching the steering wheel is a must. When the wheel is in the center position you have to lightly jerk back and forth to keep it straight, even when changing lanes on the interstate. The vehicle drives a lot like a SUV with a really bad alignment, however it doesn't need one according to carmax. We are newly wrapped in a 30,000.00 car loan financed by capital one and we are getting more fearful of this vehicle the more we drive it. We don't have as much of a problem within the city limits at 30 or below in speed, however anything above that is going to feel very noticeable. I have 29,000 miles on the vehicle and have had the vehicle since 2/23/2017. The vehicle was purchased from carmax, a reputable company in birmingham, alabama. The car is being financed through capital one credit. The 2014 santa fe is white, gls, 3rd row, drive assist. We suspect that while the car has drive assist ability (especially in turns) that the vehicle isn't aware we aren't turning as we pull the steering wheel to keep it centered in the lane. Thus we are pushing the wheel left to right to balance out the wheel to keep the vehicle straight constantly. Example: driving on interstate 20 heading to the doctors office at uab kirklin clinic at 8:00 rush hour traffic. Trying to maintain the center position of the wheel while pulling the wheel left to right to keep it straight. The wheel seems to pull to one side or the other and while checking mirrors and for other cars before getting over in another lane, I could be in another lane without even realizing it. I am afraid a policeman will see me and think I am a drunk driver. I have driven off onto the shoulder of the road a few times by accident after looking for a second to check my speed or check my gas gauge.

Filed Oct 12, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · TX

Driver's seat lurches forward and backwards at random times while driving. This happens regardless of speed, brake/ acceleration/ cruise control, type of road, direction or movement etc. Often times while the car is parked or in motion, the seat will not move at all in any direction. Also, the ABS, traction control, and downhill light have all been turning on and off at random, and, while parked and without provocation, my speedometer needle began jumping. Less important, the driver's seat A/C does not work consistently which leads me to believe this is an electrical malfunction, however, the multiple times I have taken this vehicle into the "service center", the mechanics said they could not recreate the problem and sent my broken car home, so the official reason is unknown. I am only 5'2" so this has caused me considerable problems with suddenly not being able to reach the pedals, and has almost resulted in numerous accidents.

Filed Jul 19, 2016 · Tires · 31,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 hyundai santa fe equipped with continental crosscontact lx tires, size: 235/65r17. While driving 60 MPH, there was a loud explosive noise and the vehicle jerked. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed that the rear driver side tire blew out. The contact replaced the tire with a spare. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v624000 (tires). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The dot number was unknown. The approximate vehicle and tire failure mileage was 31,000.

Filed Sep 2, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 200 miles · CA

This is a transmission problem shifting 1-2nd gear, as we slow down to enter our garage and wait for door to open, the car lurches forward with huge amount of force, almost as if we are hit from behind, then it goes into gear and proceeds. Happens almost every day now. I read many consumer blogs saying this is an issue for the santa fe models. Definitely a transmission issue.