I've been having trouble trying to figure out what's wrong with my car. I have a 2004 SXT and its been jerking when I try to accelerate.

 

Is the check engine light on? Sounds like it might be a vacuum leak, as that can cause erratic idle and a bucking/jerking while trying to accelerate. How is the idle on the car? Is it smooth, or does it go up and down at times?

 

We had a similar performance issue in Florida during Christmas in our Ford (am I allowed to mention that manufacturer?)
Ended up being a failing spark plug...not fouled, but failed internally. Metering from tip to anode shows it as ZERO resistance.
...just sayin'.

 

I guess my post cut off. It drives rough and will drive okay for a while without jerking and then it will start jerking. And when it does the cruise control light won't even come on. I've gotten so used to just turning on the cruise control just so that when it goes out I can expect it to start jerking. I thought it was the speed sensor and changed that out about three months ago and of fixed the problem for about a day and it came back. Also the fuel economy is terrible compared to my last neon.