Table 1 shows one common power train related problems of the 2009 Hyundai Veracruz.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Power Train problems |
While driving at 70 the car jerked, completely stopped accelerating. There was no response when pressing the gas pedal. Luckily we were near an exit, we were not rear ended by a truck and were able shift lanes and to roll off and put our hazard lights on. After checking the engine, a local service mechanic was able to determine there was an error code related to the throttle control. On restarting the car the engine lights reset and the car ran normally. Returning home we brought the car back to Hyundai. We were told there was nothing they could do as there were no error codes in memory even though there was a technical service bulletin regarding the throttle sensor. I was told that they would not do anything until an error was recorded in the memory of the computer because Hyundai USA would not cover anything under warranty. When I asked if it was likely to occur again, I was told it most likely would happen soon and too be careful. A month later it happened again traveling at about 65 mile per hour. This time there was no shoulder but I was able to partial pull of the road and put on my hazard lights as cars drove by and avoided hitting mine. This same situation occurred four (4) more times as I was able to get my car finally back home to the Hyundai dealer to service the car. The Hyundai dealer replaced both the throttle sensor and the pedal assembly. Having researched the problem with acceleration, I have learned that many others have experienced this similar and potentially dangerous problem. After speaking with other Hyundai service technicians I was told off the record that this was not an uncommon problem. As the throttle position sensor is less than $29 I am not sure why Hyundai did not address this problem when I first brought the car or as a recall as the consequences could be much more serious.
While driving, it felt like a jerk or shift in the engine two times and then the accelerator stopped working. I coasted into a parking lot and called a tow truck. Not five minutes earlier I had been driving 65 miles an hour on interstate 35 - an extremely busy and fast-moving highway. If the problem had happened then, I have no doubt that a terrible accident would have been the result. The service representative at the Hyundai dealership said it was probably the throttle position sensor and that this was a "common problem. " the sensor is being replaced as I type. I looked online on edmunds car space and found several other Hyundai owners complaining of the same problem as far back as 2007 (probably even before). This is a life endangering problem that Hyundai is apparently ignoring until owners bring in their vehicles.