2001 Volkswagen Jetta: jerking or lurching

Filed Oct 17, 2007 · Electrical · 46,391 miles · NY

My complaint involves two separate incidents where I experienced jerking and sputtering from my 2001 vw jetta glx vr6. In both incidents, following the reduced level of engine power I smelled a burning and was forced to stop the car. Both times, my car was brought in for inspection and repair to two different vw dealerships. Each time, I was advised that the vw ignition coil pack had malfunctioned and had to be replaced. Apparently, the malfunction of this part caused other sensors to malfunction as well. Also, these parts appear to damage environmental protection equipment. In one incident described above, my catalytic converter had to eventually be replaced. Note that the first incident, which is documented, occurred at 34,560 miles. The second incident, which was very similar to the first, occurred at 46,391 miles and is also fully documented. The matter was reported to vwoa and I was informed that any portion of the nearly $2,000 I incurred out-of-pocket would not be reimbursed and there seemed to be no concern by vwoa representatives regarding any damage to emissions devices and/or potential fire hazards, I believe exist due to the malfunctioning of the ignition coil pack. Vwoa, in my opinion, is well aware of the many (possibly thousands) of similar incidents across the us and still seek to marginalize it.

Filed Aug 2, 2006 · Suspension · 70,000 miles · WI

Conditions: normal driving, approximately 25 miles per hour on a city street. Failure: front left drivers side coil spring fractured through. The left corner of the car dropped, the car jerked suddenly to the left. This would have been catastrophic at highway speeds or if other vehicles were present. Vehicle is not safe to drive in it's current state due to the left corner being not level, spring missing part of it's length, steering (strut) binding. Corrective actions: volkswagen of america will not replace the defective part and is not interested in the potential life safety concerns regarding this failure. I directly contacted the o.e.m. Spring manufacturer (eibach). This may result in a replacement of the defective spring and failure analysis of the part, to be determined.

Filed Oct 9, 2005 · Engine · OH

Within the first month of owning my vw jetta 1.8l turbo, the check engine light has been on and off. Each time that I take it in to have the problem diagnosed something is repaired, but in a few days the light is back on and there is a new problem. I have already had thousands of dollars of work done on the car and nothing seems to help the problem. Recently, the check engine light has been on and the car will shake violently for about 2 minutes until the car is warmed up. If I try to drive the car before the shaking stops, it barely moves even if completely depressing the accelerator, and the brakes seem to lock up, nearly hitting other cars when parked in a parking lot. When the car does warm up it lurches forward but then seems to run just fine. I have had the recalled problems fixed as well as numerous other repairs, but I am concerned that this same problem keeps happening, and that I have seen this problem on several other websites.

Filed Mar 31, 2005 · Engine · CA

Ever since I bought the car back in 2001, there has been numerous problem mainly with the check engline light. I bought the car brand new, and within the first few weeks I had minor problems that got fix and is fine now. Now my main issue is the check engine light, it been on and off ever since the first year I bought the car. We are in 2005 and I'm still having trouble getting rid of it. Usually when the check engline light comes on the car would sputter and shake and sometimes it would shut off. Sometimes when I'm driving the car would shut off on me in the middle of the streets. Thank goodness the time that it happened I wasn't on a busy road. When I first start up the car when the check engine light is on, the brakes seems to fail to work becauase I would have to step on it really hard to get the car to stop. After getting fix the light would reappear a couple weeks later. So I dont know what the problem is since all the times I did take it in they said it was the air mass flow sensor which they have replaced already. Tomorrow (4/1/05) I'm taking the car in again for the check engine problem because lately the problem has been worst. Now when I first turn on the car, I have to warm it up for a few mins before being able to step on the gas and go or else it'll shut down on me. Even with that the car barely moves then all of sudden it will jerk and drive on a normal speed. I had major service done on the car and the air mass flow sensor has been replaced twice. Tomorrow will probably be the third time and we'll find out what else is new. I doubt that the problem will ever go away because I been having the check engine light ever since I got the car and I own it for few years now and it still has not been fix. I honestly think I been sold a lemon, but speaking with the people at the vw dealer, they don't the issue is big.

Filed Mar 8, 2005 · Transmission · 29,220 miles · PA

While driving 20 MPH transmission jerked before shifting gears. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Jan 25, 2005 · Transmission · 39,000 miles · CO

Clutch mechanism suddenly began engaging only at the upper end of the clutch pedal travel while driving in stop and go traffic. The vehicle had approx. 39,000 miles on it at the time. The result was that the vehicle was difficult to control while starting from a dead stop, either rolling backwards on an incline, lurching ahead or stalling. All of these conditions could contribute to an accident, particularly in an intersection or in crowded stop and go conditions. Inclement weather would compound the safety risks. The car was taken to an authorized dealer and the dealer reported a clutch failure, that the clutch is a wear item and that no warranty is offered. As I have never had a clutch wear out in 30 years of driving , I researched via the internet and found the problem was common amongst similar vw vehicles with the 1.8t engine and that many similar failures have occurred at even much lower mileage. I contacted vw of america customer care and vw denies there are any inherent design problems, cite driver error and confirmed with a return call that no financial assistance is available. Other sources, including a vw mechanic have independently acknowledged that vw have selected the same flywheel, pressure plate and clutch components as are used on the base non-turbocharged engine, and this arrangement is under designed for the more powerful 1.8t. I was also advised the reported failure is more consistent with a pressure plate failure than clutch wear. One dealership informed me they are replacing at least one of these clutch assemblies per week, often on low mileage vehicles. So far I have not repaired the vehicle and it sits idle while I investigate the applicability of aftermarket, heavier duty components.

Filed May 21, 2004 · Electrical · 39,591 miles · MI

Vehicle misfiring like a chocking sound and jerking while emitting black smoke from exhaust. Vehicle stalls and service engine light comes on. Vehicle starts after several sttempts. Vehicle stalls in middle of intersection while turning left.

Filed Oct 10, 2002 · Engine, Transmission · 20,985 miles · GA

The consumer states that while driving and with no warning, the vehicle jerked and lost power. Dealer notified. Mr the consumer states that the vehicle has had several transmissions replaced in a year-feels that the vehicle is a lemon. Scc

Filed Apr 21, 2002 · Engine, Transmission · NC

Transmision does not shift correctly around third gear, the car will rev up then the car has a hard jerk. As for the engine the engine will kill any where at any time the hole car will just shut of driving or just sitting still. I feel very unsafe in this car!

Filed Nov 13, 2001 · Acceleration · PA

On oct. 7,2001 ( four days after taking delivery), I was slowly merging into traffic . When I put my foot on the gas pedal, there was no accerlation for a few seconds (car just idled) and then suddenly, the car lurched forward into traffic at a high speed with the tires screeching. The same thing happened twice more on october 17, 2001 when turning left at intersections; then about 10 times on october 17 while either making turns or driving in heavy traffic; twice on nov.7; and, twice more on nov. 13. We were afraid to drive car on oct. 25 and had towed to closest dealer. Car has been to service dept. Twice, on 10/22 and 10/25. Defect not found or repaired. We are too afraid to drive this car as we were almost in 5 accidents.