# 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe lurching while driving

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-hyundai-santa-fe-lurching-while-driving/16489>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [July 10, 2008, 12:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-hyundai-santa-fe-lurching-while-driving/16489 "2008-07-10T12:33:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dawnie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@dawnie](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dawnie)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 12:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-hyundai-santa-fe-lurching-while-driving/16489/1 "2008-07-10T12:33:51Z")

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Over the last two weeks my 7-year old Santa Fe (automatic transmission) has started doing something unusual.  
  
  
  
 On hot days (we’re in Atlanta, so think 90+ with high humidity), the car will lurch forward while I’m in drive and accelerating. Instantly, the check engine light comes on and then, if I come to a stop, it takes a few moments to get the car in motion again. Once I get it to start going again, I can accelerate without problem. It’s just getting it going from a complete stop. I really have to press down on the gas pedal.  
  
  
  
 Any suggestions what the issue is. I’m guessing transmission. My husband (who knows even less about cars than I do) says O2 filters and that I need a tune up.  
  
  
  
 I’m supposed to drive 2 hours to see in-laws tomorrow .  
  
  
  
 Oh, yeah. The problem is intermittent. Not there on days where it’s not too hot and can be there one afternoon and gone the next morning.  
  
  
  
 What should I expect from a mechanic and what kind of cost should I be expecting for repairs?  
  
  
  
 Thanks,  
  
  
  
 Dawn  
  
 Atlanta, GA

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**Author:** ![dawnie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@dawnie](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dawnie)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 12:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-hyundai-santa-fe-lurching-while-driving/16489/2 "2008-07-10T12:41:55Z")

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I forgot to mention, the car has 53,000 miles.

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**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 1:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-hyundai-santa-fe-lurching-while-driving/16489/3 "2008-07-10T13:50:28Z")

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Sounds like fuel starvation. Change the fuel filter if it hasn’t been done. If that doesn’t help, the fuel pressure should be checked. It’s possible the fuel pump is failing.

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**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 2:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-hyundai-santa-fe-lurching-while-driving/16489/4 "2008-07-10T14:07:52Z")

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AND change the air filter at about 25,000 mile intervals.

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**Author:** ![dawnie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@dawnie](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dawnie)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 2:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-hyundai-santa-fe-lurching-while-driving/16489/5 "2008-07-10T14:30:56Z")

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Thank you both so much! That’s very helpful information!