2001 Volkswagen Jetta acceleration problems

Filed Jan 1, 2011 · Acceleration, Electrical · 160,000 miles · MA

While driving at a steady speed the accelerator pedal will depress by itself making the vehicle accelerate. The problem goes away when the brake pedal is depressed (so far). This started happening about a couple of months ago. It's done it maybe 4 or 5 times.

Filed Oct 30, 2008 · Acceleration, Engine · 109,000 miles · WI

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 volkswagen jetta. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began accelerating on its own. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle continued to accelerate. The engine failed, which prevented a crash from occurring. The vehicle is currently being diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 109,000. Updated 11/25/08. *lj when the engine accelerated on its own, the force pushed the driver back into the seat. The speed was so great, that the engine redline and blewout the motor. Updated 11/25/08.

Filed Jun 18, 2008 · Acceleration, Electrical · NC

I own a 2001 vw jetta gls vr6. Since I have owned this car I have had problems with it. I am a young woman in the military and am in full time school, so I don't have the money to run around and fix it as much as I have been forced to do. First my gas gauge went out three months after buying it $600(under warranty) then a month later o2 sensor $300(non warranty). Then it was the catalytic converter$1500(non warranty) wiring system$1000(of course non warranty) windows wont roll up without rolling down again and sometimes get stuck$700(non warranty) cruise control went out$845 (non warranty), windshield wiper motor... Stationed in alaska and couldn't go without that $750(non warranty) now my secondary air pump is out and I was quoted $1294 from private mechanic and $1400 from vw. Also the cruise is still out and the windows are doing the same again. I have talked to many people in the same boat I have been in with so many repairs. Is there anything that can be done to stop vw from making faulty parts and charging an arm and a leg? I feel though that if it is brought up to you that my voice will be heard, because when I call the volkwagen customer service and complaints I get nowhere.

Filed Dec 13, 2006 · Acceleration · 104,000 miles · WY

Dt*: the contact stated when driving 5-25 MPH on a gravel driveway, the cruise control engaged and the vehicle accelerated. This occurred when the vehicle hit any bump or pothole on 50-70 occasions. When the brakes were applied, the cruise control would disengage allowing the vehicle to slow. The service dealer and manufacturer were not alerted. Updated 02/06/07.

Filed May 11, 2005 · Acceleration, Lights · 109,895 miles · WI

I signaled with my right turn signal for a right-hand turn, suddenly the turn signal stopped flashing (not the quick flashing & clicking for a burnt out bulb), the light stayed on. Tried the left turn signal and the same thing happened. Kept trying them and would not work. Suddenly began operating. The hazard lights did not work either. After repeated attempts, the lights unexpectedly began working. I continued driving, when I signaled another right-hand turn the again the signal repeated the previous failure. I immediately contacted the auto repair shop that I use and setup an appointment for service three days later. The problem occurred intermittenly between the first occurrance and the service appointment. The service technician could not duplicate the problem immediately but the headlamps would not go to bright. He did eventually have the problem with the turn signals. The end result was to replace the switch: headlam dimmer/turn signal/cruise switch 8l0953513j01c (part #). This is an integrated switch. I have listed the three components separately on the complaint list. This same shop had changed the same switch on an audi. I do not know if the replaced part would still be available.

Filed Feb 22, 2005 · Acceleration · 22,200 miles · NJ

I was at a full stop at a red light waiting to cross a busy highway when suddenly. And without warning, the car started accelerating on its own. My first reaction was to push on the brakes harder. This did nothing. The car kept accelerating to such a rate that the back end started fishtailing around to the right. I have a cdl license and reacted by putting the car into neutral. This reaction definitely saved a major accident. The car was doing its best to force me into moving traffic. The next person this happens to might not be so lucky. The car was towed to the local vw dealership. After keeping my car 2 weeks, they still couldn't come up with a plausible explanation for why this happened. They did remove the on/off button for the cruise control, but they can't guarantee me that this is what caused the malfuntion. Normally the cruise control would de-activate when the brakes are pressed. I remain without a reasonable explanation or repair.

Filed May 14, 2004 · Acceleration, Engine · NM

While applying the accelerator pedal vehicle failed to move. Consumer applied the accelerator pedal numerous times and the vehicle suddenly accelerated. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that the engine needed cleaning due to intake manifold being clogged with carbon.

Filed May 11, 2004 · Acceleration · OH

While driving vehicle lost power when accelerator pedal was depressed. A technician was unable to duplicate the problem.

Filed Apr 9, 2004 · Acceleration, Electrical · OH

My speedometer started bouncing up and down. One second it would register 25mph the next it would register 100mph. It would do that frequently. The fuel gauge acted funny as well. It would move left and right. Finally the speedometer stopped working completely. The fuel gauge works ok now. I have read about what the problem is. The coolant migration system is faulty. The coolant bottle leaks fluid onto the electrical wiring harness which in turn acts as a vacuum and the coolant makes its way all the way to the ECM. After it reaches the ECM it makes all the electrical components act funny. This could be dangerous considering it may be the cause of air bag deployment which I have heard. My wiring harness on my coolant does have coolant on it. Which has stopped my speedometer. Thankfully my airbags haven't blown(yet). Please consider this serious issue. Thank you for your time. ~chad~

Filed Apr 6, 2004 · Acceleration · 74,000 miles · PA · crash

My wife was pulling into an uphill parking spot and pressed the brake to stop. Instead, the car accelerated out of control and hit a concrete block wall, which caused the airbags to deploy and damaged the front of the car. The car then reversed itself and my wife had to pull the emergency brake to bring the car to a stop.