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2018 Hyundai Tucson: jerking or lurching

30 of the 399 complaints about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson describe jerking or lurching.

owner complaints
30
of this car's complaints
8%
typical mileage
43,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 11 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Jerking or lurching by model year

What owners say

Filed Feb 19, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · FL

Hyundai Tucson has been jerking and shaking for over over 4 years now and either when taking to the dealership they reset the dual clutch and have replaced the same part twice in the dual clutch. This shaking has been happening since the car was bought brand new like a year after. The vehicle now will get stuck in gear and while driving will go down to 20 mph and get stuck in that speed. This is a serious safety issue. The dealer could replicate the shaking but not the gears being stuck. It has happened on more than one occasion and they just reset something but this continues to happen. There are no warning lights when the gears get stuck it just happens while driving and it has happened twice now in the last 3 weeks.

Filed Jan 14, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · MN

The engine and engine management system of my 2018 Hyundai Tucson experienced repeated failures resulting in loss of propulsion and unsafe drivability. In November 2025, while traveling approximately 75 mph on a freeway, the vehicle suddenly entered limp mode without any prior warning, causing an abrupt loss of power in active highway traffic. No warning lamps or messages appeared before the failure. After the loss of propulsion occurred, the check engine light, battery light, and oil light illuminated sequentially. Diagnostic trouble codes P1326 and P0326 were recorded. Initial inspection indicated severe oil consumption despite a recent oil change less than 2,000 miles earlier. A Hyundai dealership replaced knock sensors under warranty. Shortly after release (30 miles), the vehicle again exhibited severe drivability issues, including a flashing check engine light, and required immediate towing. A second Hyundai dealership replaced the short engine block under warranty. Approximately 180 miles after the engine replacement, the vehicle again developed unsafe drivability symptoms, including delayed throttle response, failure to accelerate unless the accelerator was fully depressed multiple times, jerking or lugging when slowing or stopped, and a faint whining noise. The check engine light illuminated again. These failures represent repeated loss of propulsion and unsafe operation following manufacturer-approved repairs, including full engine replacement. The vehicle has been out of service for approximately 57 days and remains in the custody of a Hyundai dealership awaiting diagnostics. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The sudden and unpredictable loss of power at highway speed created a significant risk of collision and serious injury to the driver and surrounding motorists.

Filed Oct 24, 2025 · Engine · 78,563 miles · GA

The contact's sister owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while his sister was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly jerked and jolted, prompting her to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway to turn off the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with all four fuel injectors and the injector assembly. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who then diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,563.

Filed Mar 27, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 94,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil with the oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a dealer to be inspected and two oil consumption tests were performed by the dealer. The oil consumption tests showed no defects with the engine. The dealer performed an engine flush; however, the failure persisted. The contact was advised to have oil changes performed every 3,000 miles instead of the recommended 5,000 miles. The contact stated that recently, after having an oil change, the dealer recommended a transmission fluid flush. The contact stated that after the transmission fluid flush was performed, the vehicle jerked and hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

Filed Mar 3, 2025 · Steering · MS

56310-D3050 Steering Column Assembly 56400-D3000 Steering Joint Assembly Steering wheel would jerk hard enough to lose grasp of it. Hyundai dealer confirmed Steering Column Assembly was "Faulty". "Faulty" Steering Column Assembly was replaced by Hyundai dealership. No warning lights.

Filed Oct 9, 2024 · CT

When accelerating from a stop (particularly when taking a left turn across traffic, and uphill), the car often will hesitate and near-stall. It does not respond to driver “punching” the accelerator even to the floor, the car won’t respond, then suddenly catches and lurches forward. This problem has occurred since the purchase time in 2020 as a certified used vehicle from a Tucson dealer. I have reported the issue multiple times and ask the dealer frequently about it. They tell me no issue, never heard of it, no recall or repair. Online I see many people have reported this as a problem. It is definitely unsafe as drivers evaluate distance of oncoming cars in taking a left turn. When the car hesitates and doesn’t engage, time is lost to make the turn in time to make it.

Filed Apr 15, 2024 · Transmission · MI

While on the highway going 70mph the check engine light flashed on the immediately off out of nowhere and car started aggressively shaking before loosing temporary power. My wife and toddler were in the car and we were all pretty shaken up. Luckily I was able to gain control of the car but I'm concerned that another issue may occur. I immediately took my car in to the shop and they were unable to replicate the issue. Spark plugs, oil, transmission fluid and coolant fluids were all as regular maintenance but no real issue was addressed. My car has also had issues with struggling to accelerate from stop, causing jerking motion and my oil seems to be burning faster than usual.

Filed Oct 17, 2023 · Transmission · SC

CVT Transmission failed under 70,000 miles. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety was put at risk due to no warning light or indication of this failure from Dick Smith Hyundai in Greenville, SC during a routine maintenance check. The problem has been confirmed by Dick Smith Service Center. The vehicle has been inspected by Dick Smith Hyundai. There were no warning lamps prior to failure. The characteristics of the CVT appeared in 2018 however; the jerking accelerated over time. Dick Smith Service Center stated not to worry the transmission was okay. October 16, 2023 with less than 70k miles I’m being told I need transmission, starter, & fly wheel.

Filed Sep 26, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · AR

When I accelerate from a stop sign or yield it Jerks and hesitates to accelerate. I have to release the gas and push again sometimes doing this multiple times when this happens daily. I've taken it to Hyundi shops and they say it's a normal chararistic if a Tuscan. It also uses an excessive amount of oil. I am told this is because of the engine. If I go change my oil right at every 3k miles my oil level is well below the minimum line so I have been changing it every 1500 miles.

Filed Aug 24, 2023 · Brakes, Transmission · MS

Transmission is jerking when driving. Brakes are squeaking.

Filed Jul 31, 2023 · Transmission · MO

Immediately after purchasing the car I stopped for gas. When pulling out of the parking lot and onto the road, the transmission stalled. The car did not move, the rpms jumped to 5-6 and the lurched and jerked forward then stopped and lurched forward again with the rpms jumping high. This had happened numerous times to various deplgrees since purchasing the car 48 hours ago. There were and continue to be no warning lamps or messages on the dash. I have an appointment with the dealer to have it assessed in a week. This is dangerous because it causes the vehicle to not pull into or cross traffic in a smooth, sage and predictable manner, potentially causing a collision.

Filed Jul 29, 2023 · Transmission · NC

Back in January of 2023, car would not go into reverse. While out driving the engine light came on and went into safety mode. I had no power to merge onto highway and make it up hills to get to Hyundai service repair. They said the gear actuator failed. They repaired, but within a week the car was not going into reverse and engine light came back on. They had my car for over a month with no loaner car. They replaced transmission. Car only had 32,000 miles on it. Yesterday, July 28, car started losing power in traffic. Sometimes car would lurch. Engine light on so I pulled into grocery store parking lot. Turned car off and when I turned back on a loud clunking noise. Called Hyundai and drove to service. The entire time the car struggled to merge or go up hills. They ran test and said the gear actuator failed. So this is a trend. It is under warranty but that is not the point, this is dangerous and you can get stranded or the car can lurch or loose power at any time. I complained to Hyundai the first time and they did nothing except repair under warranty guidelines.

Questions about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson jerking

Is jerking or lurching a common problem on the 2018 Hyundai Tucson?

30 of 399 owner complaints about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson (8%) mention jerking or lurching. The model year with the most reports is 2016.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2018 Hyundai Tucson?

There are 0 recalls and 11 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2018 Hyundai Tucson

Check engine light 75Engine failure 75Oil consumption 65Knocking 63Stalling 52Loss of power 36Hesitation 31Fire or smoke 17Won't shift 14Headlights 12Transmission failure 10ABS 9Won't start 6Grinding brakes 5Misfire 5Overheating 5

All model years of the Hyundai Tucson

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