If your vehicle is showing car sputters or jerks at highway speeds, here are the most likely causes and the parts you'll need to fix each one.
At highway speeds, the engine is under higher load and requires a stronger spark. Worn spark plugs or failing ignition coils will struggle to bridge the gap under this pressure, causing engine misfires that feel like sputtering or jerking.
If spark plugs or coils were recently replaced, a loose wire, unseated coil boot, or damaged connector can vibrate loose at higher speeds, causing intermittent misfires and jerking.
The MAF sensor measures air entering the engine. If it is dirty, it miscalculates the air volume at higher speeds, leading to an incorrect air/fuel mixture and noticeable hesitation or sputtering.
Highway driving demands a higher volume of fuel. A restricted fuel filter or a failing fuel pump cannot deliver enough fuel to keep up with the demand, causing the engine to lean out and sputter.
Often occurring after an air filter check or oil change, if the intake hose isn't tightened properly, unmetered air bypasses the MAF sensor. This causes the engine to run lean and jerk at speed.
Often mistaken for an engine misfire, degraded transmission fluid or a worn torque converter clutch can cause a rapid jerking or shuddering sensation when the vehicle shifts into overdrive at cruising speeds.
A severely restricted exhaust system chokes the engine at higher RPMs. The engine cannot expel exhaust gases fast enough, causing severe power loss and sputtering when trying to maintain highway speeds.