2016 Hyundai Sonata: jerking or lurching

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Engine · PA

My Sonata 2016 suddenly lit up the Check Engine icon, which was blinking. It is available for inspection request, as it's in the shop right now. Added 2 qts of oil just to be safe. Was hoping the light would go away in the morning. It didn't. The car was sputtering and jerking while I was attempting to get where I was going, so I drove a little slower so it wouldn't stall out, which would have caused someone behind me to crash into me if it stopped suddenly. My mechanic said it was engine failure, possibly due to oil burning. Hyundai Dealer told me there is no recall for this issue, but my mechanic said there had been. I was never notified of such, and when I called them, they said that there was no recall, and she acted like she had never heard of the problem. I find that amazing, since on your website, there are some 717 claims of the same problem.

Filed May 19, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · FL

The following mandatory software update was performed on my vehicle: ECU SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THETA II EMISSIONS IMPROVEMENT (SERVICE CAMPAIGN 9C2). After this update my vehicle drivetrain is quite erratic. In particular when the engine is cold it appears to jerk even when in Parking gear position. When cold the drivetrain experiences erratic gear shifts. This provides little confidence when driving and could result in safety issues when merging into traffic. Once the engine has reached its normal operating temperature it still makes occasional gear shift that are jerky and probably not good for the transmission. This vehicle had a very smooth transmission prior to the ECU software update, now I am hesitant when I need to merge into traffic, since I am not sure it will select the correct gear when accelerating. I have reported this to the dealership and Hyundai corporate service center and both indicate that when the engine is cold that the drivetrain can act strange, but once it is up to temperature it should be smooth. I have looked on the web and noticed multiple Hyundai owners with similar engines reporting the same issue after this software update. Hyundai may have satisfied the EPA requirements with this software, but they may have a created a safety issue for the vehicle operator and their passengers.

Filed May 14, 2026 · Engine · TX

After completion of Hyundai Service Campaign 9C2, my 2016 Hyundai Sonata SE is very difficult to drive at low RPMs. Cold start its sluggish and jerks and driving uphill feels like transmission slipping but is not. An additional update to the ECM needs to be conducted ASAP.

Filed Feb 11, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 152,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond or exceed 30 MPH. The contact stated that the speedometer reading was lagging. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal with more force. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the camshaft position sensor was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the starter was previously replaced due to the engine's failure to turn over while starting the vehicle. The contact stated that upon switching to Sport Mode and driving 40 MPH, the vehicle jerked and lost motive power. The contact shifted to neutral(N) and was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle was undrivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the failure could be an electrical failure or that an engine replacement was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

Filed May 20, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ

I had engine issues back in 2021. I had to pay $600 for a part to be installed to fix the problem . The engine failed, the idle was violently lurching forward and would randomly Shut down. Recently the car shut down without warning again. Its scary.

Filed Mar 7, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · DE

My vehicle had the following symptoms: 1. Alternating between sluggish acceleration/handling AND rough acceleration with the vehicle lurching forward at times 2. Check engine light with error code P00010 3. Occurred frequently over a one month period (5+ times) This was unsafe as the car could not properly accelerate and would lurch forward at intersections. This could easily have led to a crash. We limited driving. This issue was observed at the dealer where I repaired issue. The issue is exactly the same as the issue described in the recall for Hyundai Sonata 2015 under SB-10058136-4434 and was resolved by replacement of the E-CVVT seal as described. This issue is ridiculous for me to deal with and put my family as risk given it a KNOWN issue for Hyundai in their other vehicles.

Filed Jun 5, 2024 · Engine · 95,950 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered significantly. The contact stated that the vehicle stopped shuddering while shifted into neutral(N). Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the failure recurred, and the vehicle jerked significantly. The low oil pressure warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where four ignition coils and four spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure recurred four months later. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the spark plugs were replaced and a fuel induction cleaning service was performed; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was jumpstarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was oil intrusion in the combustion chamber, and the spark plugs were fouled. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 95,050.

Filed Sep 12, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

I keep having the same issue with this vehicle's fuel/propulsion system, power train, engine, cruise control. This vehicle is need it's fuel system cleaned now for a 3rd time in less then 2 years. I have done the high mileage maintenance on it as well. I drive the vehicle less than 5,000 miles a year. When I am driving the vehicle, it struggles to speed up, making me press on the gas repeatedly to get to the indicated speed limit. The vehicle does not slow down as it should when pressing on the brakes. I have to press repeatedly over and over and harder on the brakes in order for it to slow down. The vehicle jerks, speeds up without me pressing on the gas and sometimes it will not stop when prompted. I cannot put this vehicle on cruise control, because it speeds up and out of no where, it accelerates causing me to almost collide with another vehicle or object. Even when the vehicle is not in cruise control, the sudden jerks and acceleration puts me, my children and others in harm when it suddenly speeds up, jerks or will not stop in time. It makes a loud noise and jerks even when the car is in a resting position. It loses power, it speeds up when i need it to stay the same speed or slow down. I fear this vehicle is unsafe. I have reported these issues and a few more to the dealership who never responded, so I had to go over their heads, then finally I got a response from their Consumer Affairs' Department, as well as the BBB and they state because of the vehicle's age and/or mileage there is nothing they can do about it. Please help me. This is the only vehicle I have, and I am a single parent who cannot afford another vehicle. What is going on with this car? Why do I have to keep struggling to pay for something to get fixed and it is still not solved. Below, it ask for a date, but it is multiple dates, not just one. I have listed the first time it occurred. Thank you.

Filed May 11, 2023 · Engine · NC

I have owned my sonata since I bought it in 2016, brand new. Started having issues with having to get more frequent oil changes in 2021, of course after my warranty out. It ‘s supposed to make 5,000 m between changes for synthetic/hm oil, but when it first started the car would be not wanting to run right, jumping, engine seemed to be running rougher, which would happen right around or close to the 3,000mark. From there it got worse and worse. Oil changes started becoming needed at 2,000 or less miles between, so many mechanics say that Hyundai are the worst for burning excessive oil. Fast forward to 2022, even with the oil changes in every 2,000 miles or so, we started having to literally ADD extra oil to the engine between changes, to the point where we would worry and check it about halfway through the 2,000 miles and sure enough very low or barely any oil even in the car??? So we would add about 2-3 quarts, get it back to the right amount. Then at times right before oil change adding 1-2 more quarts. The car would start not running as well every time it deemed it necessary for an oil change, which was way too early AND after adding up to 5 quarts , just did what we had to do bc we kept being told, Hyundai’s are just bad for Burning excessive oil!! Throughout all this, not once did a check engine light, problem indicator light come on to say anything was wrong mind you. Here comes August 2023, oil had been changed yet again and it wasn’t time for even an early change at like 2,000 miles, 1-2 quarts of oil had already been added mind you.. We were driving two of our children home and the car just started bucking, jerking, shaking violently, smoke coming out everywhere, car completely quit operating, had to be towed, has not been driven since. Engine failure needing prob replace, oil level right after incident—surprise barely any oil! 135,000 on it/destroyed bc of excessive oil burn/engine issues, not paid off, missed work, forced to buy new car asap, unacceptable

Filed May 10, 2023 · Engine · MS

Brought car at 49k…notices Car started burning oil around 80k.. I went to dealership where I brought the car from and they did a oil consumption.. I was told I passed it around 88k… oil getting worse was told it was my oil pan…120k car started jerking and hesitating on interstate while I was going 70 mph tune up cylinder 3 coil.. changed it… no oil pan leak… 130k jerking and hesitating again while getting off interstate.. same code this time I need a new motor

Filed Apr 28, 2023 · Engine · LA

Car stopped on interstate.. jerking and loss power.. cylinder 3 went out with no warning… car just burning a lot of oil no oil on ground no check engine until car stopped on interstate

Filed Apr 19, 2023 · Engine · TN

Randomly one day I was driving on the innersate, the car started jerking and the engine light was blinking then the car stalled. I get my car routinely maintenced, then my engine was knocking and blew up oil out of my engine. I have my oil changed every 3,000 miles, also just had an oil change 3 weeks before this happened my car just now has reached 100,000 and then the engine blows???? Muliple complaints have happened like mine and they are doing nothing