2002 Volkswagen Jetta: sudden loss of power

Filed Jan 17, 2015 · Brakes · 146,000 miles · PA · fire

I was driving my car when all of a sudden my check engine light came on and was flashing and my battery light came on. I was about to switch lanes to pull over and I lost power, brakes, and steering. I just made it into a parking lot about five feet from a building when my car all of a sudden started smoking. I popped my hood but it wouldn't come open. Within about a minute and a half my hood started melting sparks were falling from the underneath of my car and through the grill I could see a small fire. Within two minutes my car was on fire! I had to call to fire department and my car is completely totaled and burnt to a crisp ! Before the fire department came a volunteer fire fighter just happened to drive by and fire extinguished it but it didn't do a thing. Now I am out my car...my lively hood..and the $4500 I spent 1 year ago.

Filed Apr 18, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 92,000 miles · IL

Engine abruptly lost all power and turned off while driving down the street. No warning lights came on, and the car restarted and ran normally for 6 months. The same thing happened about 6 months later. 10 minutes after the second episode, mechanic wasn't able to find a fault code and drove it without the stall recurring.

Filed Jan 24, 2012 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · MA

Transmission failure resulting in inability to shift above third gear without allowing the car to warm up for 20+ minutes. Sometimes the transmission will slip out of gear and the car will lose all power from the engine. (rpms drop to 0, car will coast).

Filed Oct 17, 2011 · Engine · 70 miles · WI · fire

We were traveling 70 MPH on a highway in our 2002 volkswagen jetta wagon (gls 1.8t) when, without warning, an loud "poof" sound was heard, the car lost all power, and we smelled burning plastic. The car regained power, then a second "poof" sound was heard, and the power flickered in the car, at which point the car began filling with smoke. We rolled down the windows, pulled over to the shoulder, and evacuated the vehicle. We pulled out what belongings we could, but retreated from the car once flames appeared on the driver's side interior. Approximately 1 minute later, the entire car was engulfed in flames and was a total loss. We are thankful to have escaped with our lives. Here are the specifics of our vehicle: model:jetta trim:gls body style:4 door wagon engine:1.8l i4 20v mpfi dohc turbo transmission:automatic.

Filed Apr 18, 2011 · Fuel system, Transmission · 102,000 miles · CA

Vehicle lost power at highway speed. Further application of the throttle caused the transmission to second from fourth, causing the vehicle to rapidly decelerate from 70 to 40 MPH, at which point the engine resumed normal operation. This happened several times in the span of an hour, and is entirely intermittent. Three vw dealers are at a complete loss for an explanation. The ecu does not return a fault code. This problem occurs completely at random, regardless of fuel level, incline, or throttle position. The only consistency is that it has never happened at a speed over 50 MPH.

Filed Dec 29, 2010 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · NC

According to carfax report, maintenance has been regular. I maintained car appropriately. All of sudden major sporadic shifting issues began occurring around 140,000k with 3rd gear causing the car to jerk and lose power each time it attempts 3rd gear. This has occurred with me at numerous stop lights in city causing traffic behind me to slam on brakes to avoid a collision.

Filed Sep 3, 2010 · Transmission · 124,600 miles · CO

We have a 2002 volkswagen jetta with the 1.8t engine and the transmission is failing. At times it has gotten stuck in first gear while on the highway. It also slips between second and third gear causing the car to lose all power. In general, it has been a danger to drive on the highway and you cannot get out of the righthand lane because you need to be able to pull quickly to the side in case of a rapid downshift or loss of power while it can't find the gear. Vw repair shop says it is a known problem with this transmission (09a) and that volkswagen has refused to deal with it. The repair cost for a new transmission is $5k!

Filed Jul 22, 2010 · Acceleration, Engine · 95,600 miles · CA

Loss of power on freeway, without warning. Vehicle lost power, then, while attempting to restore power by 'pumping' the accelerator, shifted into second gear, resulting in a very rapid deceleration from 70 MPH to 45 MPH. This occurred twice in one hour, at both times requiring following motorists to swerve severely to avoid.

Filed Nov 18, 2009 · Electrical · 52,000 miles · PA · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen jetta. While driving 55 MPH the vehicle lost power and decreased speed to 10 MPH. He was able to avoid a crash and drive onto the emergency lane. He was also able to drive the vehicle to his residence. The dealer stated that the ignition coil caused the vehicle to lose power. The manufacturer stated there were no related recalls. The failure and the current mileages were 52,000. Updated 03/01/10 *bf the consumers daughter hit the front seat and sustained a bloddy nose. Updated 09/16/10

Filed Dec 17, 2008 · Electrical · 85,000 miles · IA

Ignition coil!!! Was entering interstate and accelerated and engine lost a lot of power and started running roughly. Was lucky enough to be only a few miles away from a vw dealership (not my own, we were out of town). They said #1 coil failed, be careful because the rest will probably follow shortly, but recommended I wait for another one to fail and then replace the rest. $230 and 16 days later, another failed. Was not accelerating hard, just normal hwy driving. Started doing some research, found out this is a major problem and has been known for 5 yrs!!! Will complain to high heaven to get these replaced free of charge. I understand normal wear and tear and a random part here and there failing, but a 5yr old problem is a little bit harder to understand. Dealership and vw need to practice better business practices and I don't know why this hasn't been an official recall yet. Losing power at 65mph on an interstate is very dangerous, no matter what vw or the federal safety agency says. What is it going to take? Deaths? I hope I can get this resolved to my satisfaction by the dealers and vw.

Filed May 15, 2008 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · CA

Related to htsa 10024548. 2002 jetta stalls and has transmission issues between 2nd and 3rd gears which makes controlling the car difficult when trying to accelerate from a stopped position. Took this issue to dealer but they recommended other service which is not needed. The sudden loss of power and then the fast gear shift from 2nd to 3rd can be a real issue in stop and go traffic as it is hard to control the car. Lucky no accidents but a few close calls including merging into highway traffic. Have to use very low speeds to avoid this hard shifting issue.

Filed Apr 20, 2008 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · MI

In regards to investigation dp05004, I also experienced this same problem about 2 1/2 years ago. My 2002 volkswagen jetta engine lost power, and stalled. When the dealer checked my car they said it was my ignition coil and didn't inform me that there was an investigation. I was told I had to pay for the coils, which I did. I have a copy of my paperwork for the repairs. Is there anything I can do?