Engine hesitation leaves drivers feeling powerless. When you go to step on the gas pedal to accelerate, it’ll feel like the power has been lost in the engine for a second or two.
Instead of going faster when pushing on the accelerator pedal, your speed actually reduces. The vehicle may even stumble entirely during this time.
Engine hesitation is usually the result of a problem with the air and fuel mixture within the combustion chamber. However, there are other causes as well.
Top 10 Reasons Your Car Hesitates When Accelerating or Driving
One thing is for sure, you won’t be able to drive safely if your engine keeps hesitating while you’re on the road. You’ll want to figure out the cause and get it fixed ASAP.
To help you pinpoint the cause of your engine hesitation, here are the most common culprits.
1) Bad Throttle Position Sensor
The throttle position sensor monitors the throttle valve’s position and then relays this information to the engine control unit. This helps sustain the proper air and fuel mixture while the vehicle is in use.
If this sensor goes bad, the engine control unit will be unable to keep the right balance in the mixture. Replacing the TPS is the only solution.
See Also: Drive-By-Wire Throttle Pros/Cons
2) Vacuum Leak
If any of the vacuum hoses around your engine become damaged or worn out, you could experience air leakage from them. Then you will experience engine hesitation which is most noticeable at low RPM. Repair or replace any hoses which are causing the leak.
3) Faulty Fuel System
If any of the components in your fuel system stop working correctly, like your fuel injectors, fuel pump, or fuel pressure regulator, then your engine won’t get the proper amount of fuel it needs for combustion. This will cause your engine to lag, stumble, or hesitate.
4) Faulty Ignition System
If there is a problem with your ignition system, such as with your spark plugs, rotor, or wires, then your engine will lose power at inconsistent times. This will cause hesitation as you accelerate.
5) Dirty Fuel Injectors
If you have not cleaned your fuel injectors for a long time, then they’re probably corroded with carbon deposits or other debris. If you let your fuel injectors continue to be dirty, then it will impact how much fuel gets injected into the chamber.
A good fuel injector cleaner is often a good, cheap fix that will restore proper fuel flow from the injectors. If that doesn’t do the trick, you may need to have them professionally cleaned or simply replaced with new fuel injectors.
6) Bad Oxygen Sensor
The oxygen sensor is responsible for calculating the amount of oxygen that was not burned in the exhaust system. Based on this information, the engine control unit will know if there is too much or too little oxygen being ignited in the chamber.
If the oxygen sensor is not working properly, then the proper air and fuel mixture cannot be achieved.
7) Faulty Mass Air Flow Sensor
When outside air goes into the engine as part of the combustion process, the mass air flow (MAF) sensor measures how much of this air is going in. This helps the engine control unit determine the right amount of fuel to inject into the chamber.
But if this sensor is bad, then the wrong amount of fuel will get injected and cause engine hesitation.
8) Bad Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor
The engine control unit depends on the MAP sensor to determine the engine load. This is how the timing of fuel injections into the chamber is made. If the MAP sensor is not working, the engine control unit won’t know how much fuel to inject in order to accommodate the given engine load.
9) Faulty Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve
The exhaust gas recirculation valve, or EGR valve, may be damaged and causing a leak. This is known to cause engine hesitation problems, so it should be addressed.
10) Bad Fuel
If you are using bad fuel which is has been sitting in your tank for too long or is too low of an octane for your engine, it can cause many different problems. Hesitation will be the beginning of your troubles so look at it as a warning sign if you notice your engine hesitate when you accelerate from a stop.
Diagnosing the Problem
Tracing the roots of engine hesitation requires some detective work to pinpoint where the glitch is happening. Here are smart tips to analyze what’s amiss:
- Scan computer codes – The ECU engine computer stores diagnostic trouble codes when it detects issues. An OBD-II scanner can decode these codes, revealing related problems like crankshaft position sensor failure.
- Monitor RPMs skipping – Use a diagnostic RPM meter when accelerating. If RPMs spike inconsistently, that signals misfiring cylinders or ignition problems.
- Listen for backfires – Loud backfiring noises point to issues like vacuum leaks, weak fuel mix or faulty spark plug timing.
- Check fuel smell – Strong fuel odors indicate flooding, leaky injectors or regulator issues.
Preventing Future Hesitation Issues
Once you’ve resolved existing engine hesitation problems, smart maintenance and driving habits will help prevent recurrence:
- Use fuel injector cleaner regularly – Detergents help clean injector tips and passageways, improving spray patterns for optimal combustion.
- Replace oxygen sensors per schedule – As oxygen sensors wear out, poor data to the ECU reduces performance.
- Follow tune-up schedules – Spark plug, wire and coil, air filter and fuel filter replacements per mileage intervals prevent power loss issues.
- Address warning signs early – Don’t ignore initial symptoms like occasional stall-outs or hard starting issues that inevitably worsen if unchecked.
Employing high quality fuels and oils also promotes engine efficiency. Tracking mileage between recommended servicing for various components identitfies deterioration before it accelerates.
Being attentive to changes in engine sounds, smell or drivability protects your investment too. With consistent prevention tactics, hesitation and sudden power loss can be avoided to support safety and confidence each ride.
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My 2001 Toyota 4Runner when the engine is either hot or cold and in neutral when trying to rev the engine it has a big hesitation and falls on its face and then revs up every time.
Does the same thing while in gear and while accelerating as it shifts to the next gear it hesitates each time it shifts through all four gears.
When is the last time the spark plugs have been replaced? Any codes?
Had car serviced (Nissan Note 07) because I noticed acceleration issues. So new spark plugs, battery, oil changes etc.
Mechanics computer says one of my engine coils needed to change and so I changed all of them. This did not fix the problem, just made it worse when driving.
I was then told my throttle body needed to change and so I bought a new one. Again no improvement when driving.
The car still struggles with acceleration, jerks more than it smoothly drives, shakes if I try to go too fast, brakes get hard sometimes and engine stalls forcing me to pullover and cut it off for a few mins before driving again. I also smell a burning smell coming from under the hood when driving and I don’t know if its oil or fuel etc. Do you think its a sensor issue?
Kindly advice Sir.
I took my Toyota highlander 2003 for servicing, plug changed, injector nozzles washed, & MAF cleaning.
The following problem occurred afterwards.
1. The car hesitate when i step on the gas. & atimes it works fine.
2. It makes a shooting sound (poõw) many tyms. Either the engine is cool or hot.
3. Many times, while driving the Drive (D) indicator & Reverse (R) indicator appear on the dashboard at thesame time, after sometimes it returns normal. When this happens, the traffic lights indicator works abnomally (blink faster).
4. When the issue persist, it grow worse that, the RPM will get close to zero.
Step taken so far.
1. Changed Fuel pump 3 times within 2 weeks
2. Changed Fuel filter.
The problem persist. Currently am thinking of checking the electric work out, but i need advice.
Sounds like something got messed up at the last service, if those problems have only occurred since you were in the shop. I’d take it back and have them double check their work.
My Honda Pilot 04 hesitates while picking up after I had slowed down a bit. Releasing my leg from the throttle and it picks up speed for a while but when I press the gas pedal it hesitates. I have to shut off the engine in neutral and start again for it to move for a while and the same cycle happens again. What could be the problem?
When was the last time the spark plugs were changed? If you pull the plugs, how do they look?
I have a 2015 fusion 1.5 turbocharged after getting gas, once car is killed and I go to crank it again the car goes to shuddering and losing power. All lights, chimes etc stay on but no acceleration. Hard to crank, No check engine light no codes stored. Changed throttle body and purge valve. Any ideas? Much appreciated
Make sure you’re putting the correct octane in the vehicle.
What can I do with my Toyota Corolla sports,I’ve changed so many things like fuel pump, injector, spark plug,fuel filter yet it still hesitate..help the helpless
You’ll probably need to take it somewhere to have the issue diagnosed. It will definitely be cheaper to have a proper diagnosis than to fire the parts cannon at the problem.
Getting frustrated with money spending on hesitation problem.. mechanic have change injectors, pump, new iridium spark plug, filter and MAF.. I also sense wiring problem and rewire have try to check the wire and tape where necessary, he said i should go and drive it for a while.. what should I do?
Can you describe the hesitation problem in as much detail as you can? When does it happen? How bad is it, and does it prevent you from driving the car normally?
I have a2016 Nissan Sentra my car flutrate sometimes like it wanna kill ,put it on a machine and no codes come up,Can u tell me what’s wrong.
I’m not sure I understand the question. It’s probably best to have a local shop take a look at the vehicle in person.
The code reader is giving me p0172…
My Toyota Corolla Sport 2003 model started hesitating while at speed, I consulted mechanic and they change fuel pump, filter MAF, check the throttle position sensor, it’s like it’s not working, I have to start twice unlike before.. what should I do?
Has the problem gotten worse since the mechanic changed those parts?
Changed my spark plugs new valve cover gaskets oil on dip stick looks clear though had fuel in oil but tried igniting the oil on dip stick , nothing . It is a 350 it did over heat but head gasket good no water in oil or over heating . Also carbureted It idles fine revs up fine takes off fine but when get it under load starts bucking and more gas you give the more it wants to die . I cleaned the carb and put some sea foam in it ..noticed have oil on spark plugs on threads and getting down into chamber . Not just one plug like three on pass side maybe one on other side .. now not smoking so. I’m hoping not needing internal work .. wondering if oil on plugs could be cause faulty manual fuel pump 0 2 sensor ,don’t hear any vacuum leaks.. just seeing if one those could be the problem before start tearing down to see if o ring or piston rings are causing oil to fouling my plugs .just with not smoking maybe just fuel problem not enough or coil not getting hot enough ?
I’m not sure I understand the question. Are you asking if oil on plugs could cause a bad fuel pump? If so, the answer is no.
loved reading your article. wish to see more in the coming days.
wish to see you more in the coming days.
I have a 2014 vw tiguan and it seems to be hesitating only when it’s hot outside (85+ degrees) it will trip a check engine lean code but if I clear it and drive during cooler temperatures it drives perfect.
I’m not sure. If it were my car I might hook up a scanner and check short term and long term fuel trims. Observe where they sit both when it’s hot and cold outside. Any misfire codes? The car may be pulling timing for some reason when it’s hot.
My Nissan Macra car hestates when pressing the gas pedal, it acts like losing the power!
What could be the cause? I put my fuel pump direct without a return pipe.
I’m not sure. Have you checked the spark plugs? Sometimes this can be a quick, cheap, easy fix for initial stumbling and hesitation when you step on the gas.
My 2001 Acura TL is starting to hesitate when accelerating, then starts slowing down. I know my transmission is bad but is that all?
I don’t know, you’re probably going to have to have a technician take a look at it and see if there are any other problems.
my jeep hesitates to accelerate and other times it’s running great.Took it to get diagnosed and they say nothings wrong. Any suggestions?
You could check basic things like spark plugs and wires, injector functionality, and engine air filter cleanliness. Can you narrow down when it hesitates? Is it just on cold start, certain ambient temperatures, etc?
My mustang hesitates 40mph and gives me “ hill starts assistant not available “ !
My 2007 Ford Edge hesitates/ jumps at 60-70 mph. Once I’m going faster or slower it stops. What could be causing this?
Wheel balance issues tend to manifest in that speed range. Does it happen in any gear? Can you describe the hesitation in a bit more detail?
Why would my 2004 Dodge ram 5.7 keep throwing a map sensor code and I changed out the senser and the computer and now that I have a new computer it hesitates on takeoff
Could be an electrical issue elsewhere in the system, like a short in one of the wires leading to the MAP sensor or a bad ground.
I have a 1991 Toyota MR2 with a 2.2 liter engine and 5-speed stick. It has started bucking under load, feels like it is losing a cylinder when accelerating and I get a sweet smell like kerosene. Fuel mileage is bad now as well. Drives fine otherwise. I have changed the TPS, coil, coil igniter/module, plugs, cap, wires, rotor. Plugs are burning cocoa brown/tan. Idles a little rough at times as well. Getting ready to change the up-line O2 sensor(s) and then maybe the MAP if the O2s don’t work. No noticeable vacuum line cracks/breaks. Thanks to this article I will also try cleaning the MAF but It still does it with the air cleaner disconnected but it is worth a try.
My car stalls when I’m getting ready to pull of at a light and when I hit the gas I have hit hard for it to go and I have my fuel pump changed I have transmission leaks they were fix it just started doing it a few minutes and my car knocks while sitting a light and rattles when I take off sometimes
Any answers you described my issue to the T
I was wondering why does my car lose power/jerks and hesitates to accelerate when I’m close to the E I’ll have 60 miles of fuel left and it starts to act weird
Perhaps there’s a lot of sediment at the bottom of your gas tank, perhaps your fuel gauge is reading incorrectly, or perhaps you need to change the fuel pump or fuel filter. I’m not sure.
You might need to replace your MAF sensor which is your mass airflow sensor and definitely check your fuel rail and fuel injectors. If still having issue after that let me know
Sometimes simply cleaning the MAF may do the trick, too.
Doesn’t using an abbreviation only to then state what the abbreviation stands for really defeat the purpose of aforementioned abbreviation…?
Not if it’s unfamiliar to the audience or needs to be disambiguated.
My 2008 nissian Altima is hesitant when going up a hill or accelerating I’ve changed the fuel pump the air filter and the air intake hose but it is still having the same problem
Gotta get rid of it 😅😩😅😄😆
We found my car was hesitating and stalling when I took off from a stop or went up a hill because after 24 years, the motor mounts were worn and that caused rubbing of the wire harness and some of the wires had the insulation rubbed off, causing shorting. Thank Heavens for my wonderful mechanic who found and fixed this! (This after we changed the fuel filter.)
2014 Ford Escape with 88k miles. When going up hills at speeds of 30-40 mph is misses. I have changed the spark plugs.
Any codes? You’ll probably have to take it to a shop to get that diagnosed.
See Ricky😂😂
2016 chevy equinox stalling after putting gas in the car? Now it is starting to stall when stopped
Any check engine lights? Could be bad gas or an unrelated issue.
my car hasitate at 3000 rpm
rpm fluctuate but at 2000 rpm it looks fine
Could be a number of things. It’d be best to bring your car to a shop you trust for a diagnosis.
My car hesitate when you start and start driving it does not move then after a jurk it moves
Nissan sentra 2012
My car hesitate on red light. We changed spark plug, fuel filter, transmission fluid, engine oil, engine filter, and clean throttle body, change air flow sensor. Still my is not starting smoothly.
Have you taken it to a local mechanic for an inspection? Are there any codes stored?
See micky
My stabilize traction control light came on but went off now check engine light is on and my car hesitates when I step on the gas and go up a hill I got a 2011 Chevy cruze
Sounds like your car is entering limp home mode. If this is the case, it means something has gone wrong with the car that makes the engine or transmission computer think it needs to run a really conservative calibration to protect the powertrain. I’d visit a mechanic to get it checked out as soon as possible.
I recently wrote an article on limp mode, which is due to be published soon. Check back in a few days if you’re interested.