2019 Hyundai Santa Fe: jerking or lurching

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Transmission · MT

Driving at highway speed, vehicle stuttered/lurched. The check AWD, engine light, tire pressure warning lights came on. Check by mechanic resulted in error code P0741 (Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck Off). Search of error code P0741 indicates that there is a Technical Service Bulletin TSB-23-AT-005H regarding this KNOWN problem. A stutter or lurch of the vehicle can cause the driver to over react, stop or swerve suddenly in traffic potentially causing an accident not to mention possible being struck on the side of the road while waiting for a tow/service truck. Vehicle/components have not been checked by manufacturer--only diagnostic code by Mechanic. Warning lights after incident included the AWD system, Check Engine Light, and Tire Pressure sensor light. Vehicle is being towed to a Hyundai Dealership as Mechanic advised it is not safe to drive.

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · TX

On 03/26/2026, my 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe received Hyundai Service Campaign 9C2 (TSB 26-01-013H-1), which included an Engine Control Module (ECM) software update for Theta II emissions improvement. The vehicle did not have the following drivability problem before this software update. Immediately after the 9C2 update, the vehicle began jerking/bucking slightly at low speeds, most noticeably around 10-20 mph when coasting with no accelerator input or when applying very light throttle. Acceleration response also feels slower than before the update, with noticeable hesitation when the accelerator is pressed. The problem is most noticeable during the beginning of a drive when the vehicle is cold. After driving for some time and the vehicle warms up, the symptoms improve, although the change in drivability remains noticeable compared with operation before the update. There have been no warning lights or warning messages associated with the problem. The issue began immediately following the ECM software update. The vehicle has not yet been returned to the dealer for diagnosis or confirmation and is available for inspection. I am concerned about the safety implications of delayed or unpredictable acceleration response, particularly when entering traffic, crossing an intersection, or merging when timely acceleration may be necessary. I am reporting this because the condition began only after Hyundai Service Campaign 9C2 was performed and I believe the federal safety agency should evaluate whether this ECM software update is causing similar drivability and acceleration problems in affected vehicles.

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · WI

My vehicle recently received the Hyundai 9c2 emissions upgrade they required and since then the vehicle has had predictable acceleration issues for the first several minutes after the vehicle. While trying to slowly accelerate the vehicle with unpredictably lurch forward. Many people have been reporting this.

Filed Nov 25, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · WA

Overly excessive oil consumption 2 Quarts every 3 or 4 days.no leaks. Engine gets so hot I don't have to turn on heater In winter. On going issue since 100,000 miles. EBS light stays on electronic parking brake switch does not work. Parking brake will randomly engage after vehicle is turned off. Dealership cannot duplicate issue. If cruse control is turned on the vehicles warning lights all of them will suddenly illuminate and the vehicle shuts off. alternator and battery replaced. Have not used cruse control since. Airbags never inflated in a front end crash at 45mph Most recently I started experiencing I intermittent trouble staring the car. Then one day it didn't start at all and smoke was coming from under the hood. Towed to mechanic , starter burnt up 155,000. $ 900 to replace then a couple days later I lost power on the freeway and the car started jerking and vibrating. Stopped Vehicle cut off and would not start. After 1hr I started and limped home. Vibration under 2000 RPMs and when stopped. Knocking noise under hood. Brand new spark plugs. Mechanic stated Cylinder 3;missfire was identified as a hole in a valve due to weak material now I have to replace engine. Oil consumption and excessive friction and heat is to blame. My car has been cared for like a baby it's all I have. I should not have to be responsible for this very cheaply made engine that was doomed to fail.

Filed Apr 26, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · AZ

Was at a complete stop at a light with a car in front me, I had plenty of space when I started accelerating and then suddenly the automatic system braked hard. Like there was literally NO REASON for what the car did. It took a few seconds to get out of that issue but then was able to proceed as normal. There have been at least 2 other times where a side sensor was triggered while on the freeway violently jerking me to the left, nearly putting into another lane.

Filed Apr 23, 2025 · Transmission · MA

Vehicle is shuddering/jerking upon acceleration due to a defect in the 8 speed automatic transmission. This condition was reproduced by Hyundai of Plymouth, MA and documented on the repair order. Dealer states that a new transmission is required to fix this problem. Safety is at risk due to shuddering upon acceleration which causes hesitation in acceleration. My Hyundai Santa Fe is available for inspection. There should be a recall on this vehicle.

Filed Feb 5, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 87,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power while depressing the accelerator pedal, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the turbo was replaced. The contact stated that months later, the vehicle hesitated and jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where a part on the transmission was replaced; however, the failure returned, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and had the transmission replaced. The contact stated that months later, the vehicle began to sputter with an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light returned, and the vehicle was taken to the nearest dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

Filed Feb 28, 2023 · Transmission · 34,000 miles · 00

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving from a stop signal, the vehicle experienced a delay while accelerating. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking without warning. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently made a sudden stop without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 34,000.

Filed Jan 22, 2023 · Transmission · AZ

Was driving my 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe and it completely shut off when I was stopped at a red light. Super scary! I could not get the vehicle to start again and had to call police to help. Had my hazard lights on but still felt very unsafe because there was traffic that had to go around my vehicle. Tow guy was able to get it to start again but said the transmission felt jerky. The vehicle was towed back to my home. Then the next day the vehicle was able to start and seemed fine. I had a friend drive it to the dealership while I followed behind in another vehicle. Half way there, it did the exact same thing. Was stopped at a red light and it turned off. The reason felt like a hard shift to the transmission. The engine would start but it would not shift to drive. It had to be pushed out of traffic. A few people stopped their vehicles to help push. After it was pushed to a safe spot, I had it towed to the nearest Hyundai dealership. The dealership service tech thought it just needed a new starter. He installed the starter and some update software and claimed it was fixed. Picked up the car, drove it home and it seemed fine. The next day I needed to use this car to drive my three children to school (one of my kids has special needs). I felt the transmission jerking half way there and by the time we (thankfully) made it to the school parking lot, it did a hard shift and died. That could have been very scary and unsafe if we were stuck in traffic and it died! I had it towed back to the dealership. This time around the service tech said it needs a new transmission. It’s a 2019 vehicle with 40,000 miles. It shouldn’t need a new transmission. I don’t feel safe driving this vehicle, especially with my three children!

Filed Sep 11, 2021 · Engine · IN

The engine stalled while driving on highway at 65 miles per hour. When I tried to push the gas the vehicle was resisting to speed. When I took a nearest exit, the car suddenly jerked and slowed on its own without me pressing any brakes. Somehow I managed to drive to a nearest parking area and called for assistance. When it jerked and slowed suddenly the person behind me honked so hard. May be the person barely missed hitting my back of the car. It was a scary experience.

Filed Apr 7, 2020 · Electrical, Fuel system · 11,300 miles · FL

I have had issues with this vehicle since very shortly after purchase in june 2019. I have been without my vehicle three times due to service/warranty related issues - twice in a rental, and now the third time I am using a friend's vehicle. My complaints began with a "hard start" and a delayed turnover of the engine. The vehicle behaves as though it wants to stall out. Hyundai told me for months that they couldn't recreate the problem to fix it even though it happened 2-3 times minimum per week. Then the other things started going wrong...here is a short list for you over multiple visits and phone calls to the dealership: -hard start - vehicle jerks forward upon engine start -delayed turnover - feels like it is going to stall -vehicle engine ticking upon start -most recently, vehicle engine loudly knocking upon start -vehicle auto collision sensors malfunctioned and almost caused an accident on a busy 4 lane highway by causing my brakes to slam to an almost stop because the car in a lane next to me was turning (I was going 60mph at the time with no risk of collision). -apple car play malfunctions - sounds like wires are crossed (using apple charger and generic charger) -rear view camera stays on for 10-15 minutes at a time to the point that I have to turn off and restart the vehicle -while going 25-40 MPH, at times, the vehicle will create a noticeable front end jerking motion -while the flight recorder was in me vehicle, it went off on an emergency alarm for over 3 hours and hyundai's service team couldn't determine a problem -the gas cap door will not open or close properly -vehicle, on 5 occassions, would not respond to depression of gas pedal there are other smaller issues that I have expressed my concern over, and I no longer feel safe in this vehicle with my two small children have now been without vehicle for 30+ cumulative days

Filed Feb 6, 2020 · Driver assistance · 7,700 miles · CA

At highway speed the computer has attempted to pull the car out of the lane into the adjoining lane as if in attempt to avoid something. This is happened at highway speed's about six times. Vehicle also at one time applied the emergency brake as the vehicle is approaching an intersection as an emergency stop. The car would not move for several seconds. When I brought the vehicle into the hyundai dealership the representative immediately suggested that there was a rodent problem. This was confirmed not to be the case.as there did not appear to be any other computer messaging the technician suggested that maybe it was the california fastrack responder unit. They suggested it be relocated which I did. The problem lies that you're not sure that this is what caused the problem and the suggestion 'to drive it to see if it repeated' as it does not sound prudent from a safety perspective. The computer pulls at a hard level which makes it difficult to maintain the vehicle in the lane and it suddenly releases the pulling which jerks the car back into the driving lane much like an over correction. This is obviously quite dangerous and I would suggest something else is done to either confirm or disapprove the responder issue as these responders are common and it was placed per the instructions of the fastrack.