Last Updated on July 11, 2022
Cars have become increasingly complex over the years, and with that have been a growing number of symptoms that can mean multiple things. Thankfully, many of these symptoms can be diagnosed and remedied without specialty equipment.
If your car jerks when accelerating, it can be an indication of several current or potential problems. Here we’ll go over the most common culprits and how to fix the issue.
Related: Car Jerks When Braking or Idling
Why Your Car Jerks, Lurches, or Stutters When You Accelerate
When car feels like it’s jerking, surging, bucking, or stuttering after you step on the gas pedal, it’s usually a result of inadequate fuel, air, or spark during the combustion process.
However, there are other things that can be the cause. You want to find and fix the problem as soon as possible before it gets worse and costlier to fix.
See Also: 9 Reasons Your Car Makes a Rattling Noise While Driving
#1 – Dirty Fuel Injectors
This is a common and annoying problem that can be responsible for a variety of issues. Dirty injectors can cause your car to lose power and make your car jerk while driving at constant speed or from a stop due to frequent engine misfires. You can also hear as the engine stutters from inconsistent fuel intake.
Cleaning the injectors should be done regularly to avoid this problem. Thankfully, this process is quite easy using a fuel injector or fuel system cleaner.
However, the injectors can be so fouled up with carbon deposits that even the best fuel injector cleaner may not do the trick. In those cases, you’ll have to either have to take the injectors out to attempt to manually clean or simply replace them.
#2 – Blocked Catalytic Converter
A catalytic converter is responsible for reducing the amount of pollutants that exit out of a car’s exhaust. When the air/fuel mixture in your engine is too rich, a blockage can develop in the catalytic converter over time which disrupts the airflow of the exhaust system.
This can result in stuttering, jerking, and an overall delay in responsiveness whenever you step on the gas. Besides the jerking, other symptoms may include a rotten egg odor (hydrogen sulphide), a drop in the car’s fuel efficiency, and the check engine light may come on.
You may be able to unclog minor blockages by first using a good catalytic converter cleaner. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to take it to an auto repair shop to fix the problem which will likely include replacement of the catalytic converter.
#3 – Faulty Mass Airflow Sensor
If you notice your car surging forward or jerking at high speeds, it may be due to a mass airflow sensor (MAF) that is failing. Its job is to measure the amount of air entering the engine so it can relay this info to the car’s computer.
The computer then instructs the fuel injectors to provide the right amount of fuel at the right time for proper air/fuel mixture.
With a faulty MAF sensor, you may experience your car unexpectedly jerking or surging forward while driving at higher speeds such as on the highway where it would be most noticeable.
A check engine light should be present when the mass airflow sensor is bad but you can easily confirm via an OBD2 scanner.
#4 – Bad Fuel Pump or Filter
The cause of your car jerking while accelerating is often a fuel supply issue. When the correct amount of fuel is not being delivered to the engine, it’s often best to start at the beginning.
In this case it would be the car’s fuel pump. A failing fuel pump would struggle to keep up with fuel demands and cause your car to jerk or surge forward while driving.
Alternatively, you may have a clogged fuel filter that’s restricting the flow of fuel which also can cause issues as fuel delivery is inconsistent. Replacing the fuel filter is a fairly simple and inexpensive process.
#5 – Dirty Air Filter
As you read this article, you’ll notice an improper air/fuel mixture is often the culprit if your car jerks or sputters when accelerating. Opposite the fuel side of things, is proper air intake.
When not enough air makes it into the combustion chamber, you’ll often get the same issues when not enough fuel.
Your car’s air filter is the first line of defense against dirt and other foreign particles. A dirty air filter will allow some particles to get into the engine, which in turn will affect performance and cause jerking.
Check the condition of your air filter. If it’s dirty, replace it. It should only cost $10-$20 and take a few minutes to replace. Alternatively, you can purchase a reusable air filter such as a K&N which allows for future cleanings instead of replacement.
A clean filter can drastically improve the lifespan of your car’s engine, including reducing or eliminating the acceleration jerks.
#6 – Faulty Spark Plugs
One of the most common causes is also one of the easiest to identify and fix. During the combustion process, a good spark is needed to properly ignite the fuel in each cylinder.
A bad or dirty spark plug can prevent this proper ignition and will cause the engine to misfire. While driving, it feels like your vehicle jerks or shutter when accelerating.
Fixing this problem is as easy as replacing the bad plug. If you don’t remember the last time you replaced your spark plugs, it may be a good idea to get them all changed out. This is a quick and inexpensive repair.
#7 – Moisture Buildup
On colder days, condensation can form under the distributor cap. This mainly occurs when you have the car parked outside overnight. This moisture will cause the engine to misfire, thus your car will jerk when accelerating at low speeds.
Luckily, the problem will go away once the water is gone, but repeated moisture buildup can tax your engine over time.
You can avoid this issue altogether by ensuring your car’s parked in a garage or other protected location. A thermal cover can also help reduce the risk of condensation when shelter isn’t an option and you’re expecting colder weather.
#8 – Worn Accelerator Cable
While most cars on the road use drive-by-wire electronic throttle control to accelerate, a physical accelerator cable (or throttle cable) are still found in many vehicles. It acts as a mechanical link between the gas pedal and throttle plate.
Over time, this accelerator cable can wear out. This will cause the car to respond more slowly when you press on the gas and it lurches instead of providing smooth acceleration. You can usually see damage to the cable’s outer coating when examining it, making this problem easy to diagnose.
A damaged cable requires immediate attention, as the car can stop functioning when the cable breaks. Be sure to take it to a trusted mechanic to ensure the replacement is done right.
#9 – Bad Transmission Control Module
If you drive an automatic transmission car and notice your car jerking or bucking right around the time your transmission changes gears, you may have a faulty transmission control module (or solenoid).
This part is responsible for gear changes when you accelerate. Gear shifts may be delayed or unpredictable and are often harsh and may feel like the car jerks.
While not a common point of failure, it’s worth considering while you troubleshoot.
Good morning my Juke Techna is loosing power when I accelerate, and thereafter it will jerk and loose power even if its at a low speed and the engine light is on. I. I took it for service, but that was not diagnosed, only the following day when I took it back to complain that the car is now loosing power that I was told its a radiator and thermostat. the care is not overheating though. One of the spak plugs was washed and the rest were not washed or removed. The engine ligh is still on?
I don’t see how a bad radiator or thermostat would cause the issues you’re describing. I would find a new mechanic and get the car scanned to see what exactly is causing the engine light to come on.
Hi I just purchased a car friday was unaware of how the car jerks a little when I push on the accelerator!!!!! It’s been doing this lately !!!! What are the common problems for this to happen is it normal!!! Is my car gonna die oh no!!!! Just got it !!!! Helppp
Any update? is your car still jerking? please update I’m facing the same issue
The car is having an engine light on and is jerking also losing power.
When start it cut off the engine.
Am having same issue
How did u get helped and where cos am having the sameproblem please advise me
I am lost. Had new sparks plugs. Air filter tune up this and tune up that. He said flow senors. It is still jerking. Now what.
New flow senior installed.did dianostic. $700 later til jerking.
Did U fix that problem. My car is doing the same thing right now.
Hi I have a 1988 ford f150 5.0 5 speed just got it out of the shop and when I was driving home it started jumping and then would run fine then jump again badley just had new distributor new sensor relays so what could be causing this
I don’t know, but I would take it back to the shop and have them check their work.
I have a 98 Honda Accord while accelerating the car if I thorttle it reach 3 it will start jerking pls what is the problem or which sensor is the causing
I’m not sure I understand. Are you saying the jerking occurs when you hit 3,000 RPM?
First I’d scan for codes to see if that gives you any indication of the issue right away. If there are no codes, check the transmission fluid. If it feels like the car is slipping or losing power, it could be a transmission issue.
Hi, I have a chevrolet lacetti that that jerks when driving, usually in 2nd or 3rd gear and only when the engine has warmed up. I have changed plugs, maf sensor, leads, coil pack and it’s no different, any ideas to point me in the next direction would be greatly appreciated.
Have you gotten the car scanned for trouble codes yet? Could be something as simple as a vacuum leak or a clogged catalytic converter.
I use mg3,After repairing my gearbox,my car jerks or vibrates when staring off with 1st,its does same when its changing to 2nd and sometimes 3rd. What is the cause and remedy?
Check your drive shaft and clutch disc
Was this resolved, am facing the same problem with my Audi A3
Personally I think alot of our issues may have to do with the quality of fuel we are using. I have this issue and did all of the same things to correct it. The only thing that worked, albeit temporarily was a spark plug replacement. I also switched to premium fuel and while I could afford it my redline drove like a champ. It took a little while but when I could no longer afford premium my cars symptoms came back.
Interesting. Premium is usually just a different octane rating, which means the fuel is more resistant to combustion under pressure. Does your vehicle require premium fuel according to the owner’s manual?
You’re right. More than likely, PH Jr. is enjoying the false high of thinking that “treating his vehicle” to premium fuel is actually working. If that were true, then that manufacturer would tell owners to use premium fuel. What manufacturer would allow their vehicle to be driven with driving problems that could be solved simply by using a higher octane fuel? NONE of them, because it would cost them NOTHING to let their customers know, yet would cost them a new future sale if the owner hates how the vehicle runs. You made the right assessment…it’s not the octane.
Minu is doing the same. Just had spark plugs,coil pack etc. Replaced because it was misfiring going uphill….1400 later and now it feels like the engine is jumping when it shifts into third gear😭
I have a Sharon VR6 although a Passat engine with sensor. The car looses power the more you press the accelerator and it jerk. I consulted so many mechanics and they told me that its from the timing, electrical contact, airflow meter, brain box or pulley for timing. All have been tried and checked but non could solve the problem. Am tired of the car. Please what is the solution? Thanks in anticipation for a positive response!
Hello Stephen,
I also had a VR6 years ago and ran into the same issue. Took it into the shop and the mech told me that 2 of my spark plugs were misfiring. So I paid to have them replace. 2 days later when I picked up my car it drove good around town but when I got on the highway it started doing the same thing. I then took it to a different mech and he told me I was having a misfire from one of my plugs again. Luckily for me the new mech was cool enough to replace the misfiring plug for 10bucks. Long story short in my experience spark plugs can be a reason for misifing in a VR6 even if the first mech didn’t install the new ones right. Luckily for me it was only spark plugs…Hope this help…
Try premium fuel if your not using it. I would use some sea foam also and try premium for as many taknfuls as you can afford and see what happens
Hi, I discovered my car make strange sound like gun shot and it brings not too deep black smoke via the exhaust pipe. I noticed a change if I remove the socket of the airflow meter but it will bring more smoke. Please what can I do after changing airflow meter and there’s no change.
Hi I’m wondering if you have any knowledge on my problem
I have 1 fault code mass air flow circuit a
And occasionally turbocharger
Underboost
I have changed the maf and air filter and map sensor
I have replaced the egr valve, I have replaced the vacuum pump, I have cleaned the turbo and greased the actuator rod, and I’m still haveing the same issue
Any thoughts?
Hi, my GM Acadia 2012 jerks while changing from second to third gear. The scan test showed code P0989. The mechanic reset the code and the scan shows normal all. Can you help what may be the possible
I just got a 2004 Buick Lesabre Custom. Transmission has supposedly been replaced. Why does it jerk when changing gears?
Good evening! My audi a3 car is just starting to jerk while driving it I don’t know if it’s because around my house it was flooded with water, after the water has dried off, I started the car and a lot of water came from the muffler, the jerking problem has started 3 days after the floodwater came from the muffler. What you may have be thinking the problem is, please?
Depends how submerged the car was. If it wasn’t running at that time and water just got in the exhaust system, you should be fine after a while.
The fact that the car is jerking makes me thinking is was being driven through water. In that case, water may have been sucked in from the intake into the engine (check the air filter for dampness). The fact that it starts up is a good thing. First thing I would do is change the engine oil in case water got in there.
One big thing to note is that water and electronics are a bad combo so there may be some electronics damage including sensors. This will be hard to diagnose and honestly, the hardest to fix.
I use Mazda Tribute, After repairing my broken frawueel ,my car jerks or vibrates when staring off with 1st,its does same when its changing to 2nd and sometimes 3rd. What is the cause and remedy? Because I done almost every thing from plugs, maf, filter, pump nozzles but still jerking.
My 2000 Toyota corolla jerks and sometimes switches off while driving.
Any suggestion? I replaced the carburetor fuel pump plugs and radiator .
Helpful article, thank you. While I have not went through everything yet it sound plausable that it could be a couple of these issues. Injectors and plugs sound most reasonable right away.
I drive a Polo vivo 2012 model. It loses power once I step on accelerator pedal. I bought a new fuel filter, spark plugs, coil parks. I had the injectors and throttle cleaned. But it still does the same.
Hello…I have a 2008 Jeep Liberty. I ran out of gas the other day, and after adding a gallon it wouldn’t start I added more and got it to start but it now jerks, sputters and cuts off while driving.. any idea what this may be??
You may have some air trapped in the fuel lines which should work itself out. Alternatively, there’s a chance sediment from the bottom of your fuel tank got sucked up and it may be clogging the fuel filter.
hi I have a jeep compass 2016 and my vehicle jerks about three consecutive times when accelerating before I hit 30 mph. Nothing is coming up on my panel and I don’t want it to get worse. I bout fuel injector fluid and put it in the gas tank but Its still happening.
I have the same problem – don’t d yet u find a solution? And how much did it cost if you were able to fix it?
Eish I tried everything in my power on my Golf5 2.0fsi dsg. I changed air fuel sensor I changed vacuum pipes and did a new service on the car it still jerks. Now the mechanic is out of ideas he says it’s an ECU.
My suzuki swift 2015 has this problem. Sometimes it feel like the car is being pulled back when i am pressing gas. I notice this most when I am in traffic
hi my Peugeot 207 1.6 manual has a problem when it gets to 2000rpm it hiccups a lot ,we,ve changed the fuel pump but it still doing so we even tried to unplug the sensor on the acceleration pedal but it still doing the same thing please help
My Lexus just began to shutter at 55mph
Hi my Audi A3 jerk when I press the accelerator sometime it drive ok but it will do the jerking I put more acceleration, I have put on plugs nd charged coil packs but still does the same, any advise posits annoying
I drive a Polo vivo 2012 model. It loses power once I step on accelerator pedal and it jacking. I bought a new fuel filter, But it still does the same
If it’s a petrol motor you may want to check the spark plugs. Unfortunately jerking under acceleration could be caused by many things so it’s hard to know what the problem is without more information.
my car is a 2008 honda stream and I felt a bucking sometime ago I took it to the garage and the plugs was changed and the mechanic uses carburetor cleaner to clean the injector since then i’m feeling a jerk when driving slow or when I am stopping. What could be the cause of the jerk.
My Toyota corolla axio 2018 jerks after acceleration, looses power when uphill.what could be the problem, someone says i clean the engine throttle. Advice
Can help but check the spark plugs first
I’ve got a 98 Dodge Dakota V6 automatic, when driving it randomly jerks usually around 50 or higher. Changed spark plugs, plug cables and trans filter. Still jerkin but it doesn’t always happen. Some drives it’ll do it barely once and others the engcaleine will pop, truck dies or it just keeps jumping around. Looking for advice on what to do next
I have a 2004 Serena when i drive slow or fast i am getting a jerk
It could be a lot of things. I’d take it to a shop to have it inspected.
I have a 2004 honda civic ex coupe… I bought from person next door to me. K I know it has minor issues already…
Here’s my issue I’m having… alright the coolant overflow tank has grease and gas and oil mixed in. I’ve done a code check on it came back as vvt solenoid so bought it and replaced it… but my problems still not fixed…. like for my issue car runs good but when I press the gas pedal itll go but once at a certain speed like after its warm 20 mph itll act like it’s in neutral but I let off and touch gas pedal itll go but get to say 45mph it does it again…
Now I thought mayb the valve cover being bad and me having oil and coolant tanks smelling like gas could also cause it to do that but not sure… I’ve thought bout throttle body sensor as well but I know plugs didnt have no oil on them as in they were tanish color when I pulled them… so I’m in a issue and dont know what else could cause that to do that…
Does anyone have any type of advice to help me out here… I need to get issue fixed I blew motor up n my 99 honda civic ex coupe few days ago my 04 is my girls car and our back up car that we have to daily drive … plz and ty
It sounds like there are several issues with the car, so it’s hard to say why there would be gas in the coolant.
Generally oil in the coolant is a sign of a blown head gasket. You could try performing a leak down test and see if any of the air escapes into the cooling system.
I don’t think the valve cover gasket has anything to do with the issues you’re experiencing.
what does it mean when your car jerk when stop than you go it jerks a lil no engine light or nothing on any suggestions
Is there anything you can do to more easily replicate the problem, or anything you can do to make it go away? Jerking could be caused by all sorts of different failing components, but you may be able to narrow down the problem with some careful observation.
I have a 2011 ford fusion sedan and I unplugged my battery and plugged it back on now when I am coming to a stop or try to accelerate my car jerks really bad and this happened. To me a few times before but i titend my battery cables and it stopped jerking but this time it has not stopped only worsened and now my check engine light and a wrenh light is on also now I have to jump start my car every time I leave can someone help please?
Check your battery terminals and main engine grounds. Make sure the terminals are free of corrosion and the battery cables are tight. What check engine light codes are you experiencing?
Hi,I have a 1.3 Avanza 2008 it was involved in accident and sent to machenic now is jerking when am driving not easy to change gears,no power please help.
How long ago was the vehicle in the shop? What all did the mechanic replace while it was in there?
I have a ‘16 Tucson. When I am in reverse and then stop and switch to drive the car bucks, it also does this when I come to a complete stop and slowly start to accelerate. It will buck/shutter until I step on the pedal harder. There is also a loud running noise coming from somewhere that I only hear when ideling. My car is that noisy car in the drive thru. Any idea what could be going on?
Can you describe the noise you’re hearing? I’m really not sure what it could be, I’m hoping the noise will help narrow it down. Do you know where the noise is coming from?
Hi I have this problems on my 2000 Nissan Frontier when you star drive the car it you press the gas it going slow than on the first gear it kind jump after that it drive normal
Are you up to date on all of your maintenance? Is the check engine light on? If so, what codes are stored?
What I did was I cleaned the entire throttle body with a spray called throttle body cleaner and it runs like new. Cheapest and fastest thing to do first.
Hi my names Ricky I have a 2006 Scion TC and I’m having similar issues with my car. It jerks doing into 2nd gear (it has an automatic transmission) I also notice after driving for a while it’ll jerk when going into other gears almost like the trans is overheating. I had the transmission fluid changed a few months ago and the mechanic said there were no shavings in the fluid so the transmission is good. Any suggestions as to what it might be?? Thanks in advance
I’m not sure. It could be some weird transmission programming or it could be an issue with one of the internal components in the transmission itself. What did the mechanic say your next steps should be if the transmission fluid change didn’t help?
I’ve got a Nissan Versa Note that only jerks from a dead stop till I get to about 30 or 40 mph at higher speeds on the highway it will start to fell like it is hesitating, any thoughts on that?
Any codes? When was the last time the spark plugs were replaced? There’s not really enough information here for a proper diagnostic, and might be best to have a mechanic look at the vehicle in person.
Hi I have a 1998 Honda Civic coupe dx my car keeps jerking at a speed to 30mph to 40mph and my car does not pick up the speed until about a good 20mins and still doesn’t accelerate like it’s supposed to and cuts off in the middle of driving my car I put a new radiator in and I put new spark plugs in it and it just started to act like that after I drive from Marion to Columbus I got there and I went in the store and come back out try to start it it started but cut back off then I started it and I put it in reverse remind you my whole car is jumping engine is jumping crazy before i got there it was fine and it was fine when I purchase it 2 weeks ago then outta nowhere it’s been acting like now and only had my car for 3 weeks now
That’s an interesting problem. The jerking and loss of power sounds like maybe not all cylinders are firing. Check for codes and see if you have one that says “Cylinder X Misfire”, where X is a cylinder number. That would be a great place to start.
When you put new plugs on, make sure you got the firing order correct. Make sure all spark plugs were torqued correctly inside the head. If you pull each of the spark plugs, see if any of them look wet or burnt. This may give you a clue as to what is going on.
The reason I don’t suspect a transmission issue is because you said the issue is happening while you are standing in a parking lot, if I’m understanding correctly. If that is not the case, let me know.
Hi my name is Christyshow I have a 2012 Honda Accord and I’m having similar issues with my car. It jerks doing into 2nd gear I notice after driving for a while it’ll jerk when going into other gears . I had the Plug and nusel changed a few months ago and the mechanic said there were no shavings in the fluid so the transmission is good. Any Suggestions Thanks in advance
If the check engine light is on, scan for codes before you do anything else. How many miles are on that transmission, and have you noticed jerking in any other gear?
I am assuming this is an automatic transmission.
I have a 2009 Hyundai Sonata v6 87k miles, when it shifts into second it feels likes the front end bogs a little and it pulls the car back the rest of the gears are smooth for how old the car is. Sometimes first gear from a dead stop feels like a kick from behind but if I give it enough rpms it’s usually pretty smooth. I recently got the car’s transmission serviced by the dealer they reset the ecm and flushed the trans and it felt good for a week then all the same things started coming back. Any suggestions?
Can you tell if that kick is coming from the transmission? Have you ruled out the possibility of a bad motor mount or transmission mount?
A co worker of mine had her car jerking, and she wasn’t able to get it over 15 mph, up hills it had trouble with the gas pedal floored.
My first thoughts were Fuel Filter, and Catalytic Converter.
So I used my scan tool to get a list of codes.
I replaced 4 new spark plugs set the appropriate gaps.
4 new coils, 1 Camshaft position sensor, A new Fuel Pump Assy With fuel filter,
1 Upstream and 1 downstream or( Bank 1 Sensor 1, Sensor 2) Oxygen sensors.
The Fuel Injectors had been replaced in the fall of 2021, So I pulled those and cleaned them thoroughly. Air Filter is clean.
No rotten Egg smells, Overheating, or low exhaust pressure and No Code PO420
The car is still doing the same exact thing. 10-15 mph, Rough Idling there are no scan tool codes that havent had the parts replaced.
What would you recommend doing next?
This is a 2013 Hyundai Accent GLS 1.6 (July Manufacture Date Code) it has about 145,000 miles on the odometer.
Use a scan tool that gives you live data and check some of the engine parameters. For instance, look at fuel trims and air fuel ratio to see if you’re running excessively rich or excessively lean. If there are any remaining codes, please post them here.
Hi, my name is seun, my car is nissan almera 2013, just 4 days ago i was going to see my mum, immediately i drove out of my compound, i discovered that i can’t accelerate, when I’m on brake, my car will start a low jerking and after a little while it will stop. I will start the car again and it will move and same thing happens, is with the mechanic. Is there any solution please.
I limped into the he gas station in my 08 Altima and fueled up and afterwards it started jerking and running rough so I changed the spark plugs due to a mis fire in one of my cylinders and still doing it. Anyone have an idea what else it could be?
Could be some sediment or debris at the bottom of the tank that the fuel pump sucked up, which is now causing issues. Could be bad fuel. Perhaps changing the fuel filter will help. Hard to say without doing some more digging into the problem.
Jerking or Bucking when accelerating of any Nissan is most often cause by a silent failure of the Crankshaft Position Sensor. OBD scans often do not detect the failure which is only a partial failure of the component in addition to the lack of the appearance of a check engine light.
This problem can only be rectified by using the appropriate DENSO (OEM Supplier) Sensor for the vehicle.
This is so because the ohms or resistance, the voltage and the signal from the sensor all have to be at the correct Nissan Specifications to be recognized and accepted by the Nissan Engine Control Modules.
I’ve tested over 9 aftermarket brands for replacement CKP sensors from accessible online and regular auto parts stores and found the DENSO Sensors to be the only ones to work properly on NISSANS. The correct sensors can be recognized with the imprints similar to ” A29-662 L41 SGI B002 1707A4″. That imprint is the correct sensor any Nissan with a VQ35DE Engine.
Hi I have an issue with my toyota belta when I press on the accelerator paddle the car jerks for a while and becomes stable during the third gear upwards. When the car is not in motion it jerks slightly and stop. Also when I put on my air-condition the engine goes off.
I don’t know. This will probably require a mechanic to look at the car and give you an accurate diagnosis. The idle air control valve was my first thought for the issues when the car is not in motion, but the idle air control valve shouldn’t affect the car while it’s moving. Could be an issue with one of the accessory pulleys or belts too I suppose, or maybe even something inside the engine.
Good day, my Toyota camry spider gear doesn’t select very well instead it jumps. It has double exhause, six plug and twenty two pin. Pls help me