The control of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) without a position sensor based on a sliding-mode observer (SMO) algorithm has a serious jitter problem in the process of motor phase tracking. A second-order adaptive sliding-mode observer algorithm was proposed, and the ideas and principles of the second-order sliding-mode observer algorithm based on the super-twisting algorithm were elaborated. In particular, adaptive estimation with the introduction of back-electromotive force (EMF) was investigated, and the Lyapunov stability criterion was used to determine the convergence properties of the algorithm. The results showed that the second-order adaptive sliding-mode observer algorithm had better jitter suppression and a better phase tracking performance than the traditional sliding-mode observer algorithm. The experimental results showed that when the motor velocity was 800 r/min, the velocity error of the second-order adaptive sliding-mode observer algorithm was 0.57 r/min and the position error was 0.018 rad, with accuracy improvements of 93.63% and 58.34%, respectively. When the motor velocity was 1000 r/min, the velocity error of the second-order adaptive sliding-mode observer algorithm was 0.94 r/min and the position error was 0.022 rad, with accuracy improvements of 90.55% and 55.10%, respectively. The jitter of the system was suppressed well, the curve of back-EMF was smoother, and the robustness of the system was high. Therefore, the second-order adaptive sliding-mode observer algorithm is more suitable for the position-sensorless control of a PMSM.