2000 Volkswagen Jetta: hesitation when accelerating

Filed May 7, 2009 · Brakes, Engine · 103,000 miles · TX

Since vehicle was purchased, there has been numerous problems and issues with the vehicle. The most troublesome and expensive is the cooling system. I have had 3 different repair shops look at it and "fix it" only to have the car do the same thing. The temperature gauge does not indicate that the car is overheating, however, it must be. I have been stranded multiple times (almost everyday in my commute to from work and school), after I sit in traffic over 20 minutes, out of nowhere the radiator cap blows off the cooling reservoir spilling the liquid all over the engine and causing the car to smoke. I have even burned had a second degree burn from having to pull over and opening the trunk so I can refill after it cools. Someone has yet to figure out what is wrong with the vehicle. The check engine light has been on for years, again only to have multiple people look at it, and not have the problem solved. I will crank the engine but the car will die out. But if I hit the speed control to set the speed it will stay on. The car will hesitate and I will start off slow then it will go at normal speed. Last but not least I have gotten pulled over 3 times in the last 3 weeks because the brake lights go out. I have replaced these brake lights all recently but they will burn out within days with out me knowing. It is horrible vehicle, I have spent a lot of money trying to get it repaired. Everytime it goes in the shop is for days I have to get a rental car everytime. Enough to say that the car rental people know me by name! My job and school are affected by this each and everytime. I suffer from anxiety every time I get in the car because I don't know what will happen next! It is stressful and ridiculous having to deal with this. Please help!

Filed Mar 23, 2005 · Seats · FL

There is a spring under the driver's side seat of my 2000 vw jetta that has become detatched and fallen off. When you accelerate or brake, the seat shifts backwards or forwards. When I took the car to the local vw dealer for service, the technician, without hesitation, said that vw does not replace the spring, but has to replace the entire seat at a cost of $500+ dollars. His rapid response leads me to believe that this is a widespread problem with vws. I think it is an unsafe condition.

Filed Nov 17, 2004 · Engine · 41,000 miles · CT

Bought the used 2000 jetta in may 2004. A month later in the dealer because check engine light went on. They changed oxygen sensor. Car started stalling/hesitating again and several weeks later in the dealer again. They changed the mass air flow sensor. Continued to hesitate/stall and went into service again and they found nothing wrong. No codes are coming up showing there is something wrong. This car is going again on monday november 22, 2004 into dealer for the same problem. The problem has never been corrected and I can't believe I have such problems with this car that cannot be corrected. It only has 43,000 miles on the car and this is probably the reason it was traded in and has low miles.

Filed Nov 3, 2004 · Electrical · 5,000 miles · NY

While driving, my 2000 jetta gls, vehicle hesitates and stalls (engine light also would come on at times). On six occasions to service, vw claimed that nothing could be found. The seventh time, conveniently after warranty expiration, they found a bad ignition coil...which obviously, I had to pay for. Speaking to four acquantainces that had same vehicle, all reported similar issues with the hesitation and stalling. The kicker came from my friend who received a recall on this issue (ignition coil recall) for his 1.8t jetta. A call to vw (1800-822-8987) to inquire about reimbursement for my expenses revealed that my jetta VIN did not match the recalled VIN's!!! How can a part that has been recalled not be covered for my vehicle that has the same part? This is absolutely preposterous. Obviously, there are significant owners out there that are being talked into unnecessary repairs and sidetracked from the real issue and are not aware of the recalls or simply do not file complaints. A little bit of info...to test for the problem, run your vehicle with less than 1/4 tank of gas (one or two gallons will reveal the problem), and watch what happens!!! Since the ignition coil was replaced, no problems...hmmmmmm! I urge all to call vw and file complaints with aaa and the federal safety agency if you have been duped. Eventually, the truth will win.

Filed Oct 14, 2003 · Electrical · 62,000 miles · NY

My jetta has been back at the dealer 5 times in the past two months to repair the same problem. The car hesitates upon acceleration as if it will stall. The check engine light comes on. Sometimes it stays on until they reset it and sometimes it goes off. The dealer has replaced the mass air sensor and cleaned parts of the engine. Then the intake manifold had to be replaced. Now they told me the problem is the ignition coil and wires for an additional $700.00. This car is just three years old and I have spent close to $2000 in repairs in two months. I didn't even made it out of the dealer's parking lot before the check engine light came on again. Vw needs to address this issue but their customer service representatives won't help.

Filed Sep 13, 2003 · Engine · NJ

Purchased new jetta 1.8t from dealer in 8/00. Have taken it back several times due to check engine light and back firing w/slight hesitation on acceleration. They replaced air filter 8/01, 10/3/01 replaced defective sensor & valve, 2/02 couldn't find reason for continued backfiring, had oil change and reset light. Next couple of times the light came on they said to wait a couple of days --it did go off. 5/03 they performed diag test and reset light. Said if came on again I'd need catalytic converter. 8/13 in shop again for check engine light this time diag test said they should replace the mass air flow sensor & wiring. Told me not under warranty even though the check engine light has been a consistent ongoing problem. Will be calling vw customer care.

Filed Aug 6, 2003 · Electrical · 47,484 miles · CA

Aprox. Dates. Severe hesitation @ 2000 miles on may 23 2001. Purchased new on april 8 2001. Repaired three more times after first "check engine light" appeared. Light is on at current time and not under warranty any more. This car has been in and out of vw shop to many times for how new it is.