2012 Volkswagen Jetta: sudden loss of power

Filed Jan 19, 2020 · Fuel system, Transmission · 80,000 miles · AZ

I was on my way to work at 3 am I jumped on the freeway and my vehicle lost acceleration and started sputtering back and forth I was able to pull aside to get away from the freeway the car then sped up on its own I put my foot on the pedal to see if I could slow it down it then drove normal about a block away from the freeway back toward my home it lost power again while driving very scary I noticed an epc light go on and off 2 times while driving when I finally got it home I turned the car in the on position and noticed the epc light staying on thank you for your time

Filed Nov 13, 2019 · Driver assistance · 65,500 miles · FL

While driving 45mph, epc and engine lights came on and car suddenly decellerated, causing traffic behind me to drive off the side of the road to avoid hitting me. Fortunately it was on a curve with enough room to avoid a multi car accident. Then my car accelerated to normal and I parked it and shut it off. When I restarted it, it quietly lost power and stalled in reverse only. A few hours later I started it and the warning lights were off and the car was towed to a shop where no error codes were showing in order for them to fix it and it seemed to be operating normal. So, I drive it home but this intermittently and suddenly reoccurs. And each time I am told that there are no error codes showing so there is nothing they can do (or like I'm imagining it in other words). It seems that after the car sits, whatever is winky, resets by itself or something...until it happens again. I am attaching a pic of the epc and engine light to prove this happens, even though they are off by the time it gets to service. Tow today took 3 hours to arrive.

Filed Jun 27, 2019 · Driver assistance, Engine · 89,000 miles · NJ

Out of nowhere the epc light and mil lights came on the car lost power and the engine was rumbling. Very scary while driving on the highway. Took it to the dealer. Ignition coil and spark plug wires has to be replaced. Cost me over $900. A day later, I see that this same problem was a recall on jettas in the past. I am out of pocket $900 and was nearly rear-ended on the highway because of this. Why hasn't vw corrected this problem? I want to be reimbursed since this is a problem that has existed in jettas for year!

Filed Apr 9, 2019 · Fuel system · 104,000 miles · AL

High pressure fuel pump failure at 104k miles on 2012 vw jetta tdi a fuel line was leaking, which as stated by the service manager at serra vw, appeared to be a manufacturer defect. The engine cover was rubbing the fuel line (grommet possibly) causing a leak. The fuel presumably leaks onto the serpentine belt weakening it, and causing it to fail and shred to pieces. Fuel line was replaced, as well as the serpentine belt. Car was tested and would not crank still. Service technician thought it could be the battery, though it had been replaced roughly a year and a half ago. Still, they discharged the battery, charged the battery, and tested the car, and it still would not crank. At this point it was thought the fuel filter may be an issue. Fuel filter was replaced, the car tested again, and again it would not crank. That is when the high pressure fuel pump was going to be replaced. Serra vw placed a warranty claim, which was declined, with the blame placed on the leak in the fuel line.the fuel pump is covered under the extended emissions system warranty as a result of the emissions recall due to unethical modifications of the company. I opened a customer service case, to investigate. They found no reason why the hpfp warranty would be declined. They relied on the word of the service manager, that stated a manufacturer defect causing the fuel line to leak was the cause for the fuel pump failure. At no point was there ever any indication of stalls, lack of power, or reduced power or 'missing' when the serpentine belt failed, indicating no issues with the hpfp prior to arriving at the dealership for service

Filed Sep 18, 2018 · Engine · MN

Vehicle stalls randomly while idling and has happened twice will driving at low speeds, which causes loss of power steering. The car also drives rough before, and the stalling happens sometimes 3-4 times a day and other times not at all.

Filed May 23, 2018 · Fuel system · 102,000 miles · CA

While driving vehicle in parking lot, car sounded strange. As car moving through parking lot car completely stalled. Turned hazards on. Turned car off and attempted to restart car. Car would not restart and windows would not function. After a few minutes a nice gentleman offered to push car to safe location. Put car in neutral and steered as nice gentleman pushed car. Car lost all power steering at this time. Contacted nearest vw dealership, vw valencia. Vw valencia stated shop and dealership would be shutting down and could not help me, directed me to nearest vw 14 miles away. Pregnant and with a 2 year old in the car decided it would not be safe to venture out of my town. Called aaa. Aaa towed me to german hi tech inc. German hi tech inc determined fuel pump was to blame. Researched vw fuel pump recalls. Found recalls on passat and cc models. Contacted vw to determine if recall is extended to jetta tdi. Vw employee told me not at this time. Determined best course of action to have work completed in town if no guarantee of recall. Did file a complaint with vw.

Filed Feb 21, 2018 · Acceleration, Body · 120,000 miles · FL

42g8 recall 2015 also in feb 2018 total loss of power when vehicle is a a complete stop as well as slowed to no acceleration once vehicle is slowed or stopped.

Filed Apr 13, 2016 · Fuel system · 53,000 miles · AZ

On an afternoon in early february 2016, my 2012 vw jetta tdi went into 'limp' mode after starting it and driving for less than two minutes out of my workplace parking lot. I was barely able to get it to the side of the road and stop, when it died completely and would not start again. The glow plug dash light came on. I had it towed to the dealer the next day and they diagnosed that the high pressure fuel pump (hpfp) had failed, blowing ,metal shards throughout the entire fuel system. They performed a diesel fuel test, which 'passed', so all repairs were covered under warranty. The car had 53,000 miles on it at that point. Parts alone would have cost nearly $4000, and I was not shown what the labor costs would have been! I then discovered that this is a 'known' issue but not under recall, only an extended warranty period. Having the complete loss of power that limp mode resulted in, and being stranded for hours waiting for a tow, made me reconsider my purchase decision for this vehicle. I am very glad I was not on the freeway, as the failure could have been deadly in that driving environment. With the current diesel emissions scandal ongoing, I am 'stuck' with this vehicle, unless I want to take a drastic hit on private resale value; no one will take it in trade. This is a very dangerous problem that needs better resolution.

Filed Mar 7, 2016 · Fuel system · 71,000 miles · MD

For over a year, my car was having hesitation issues. I kept calling my dealer and going in for regular service. At one point, my car started but then turned off two times. I kept getting different stories..."unable to replicate", "a faulty valve, code p2004." on my way to work 2/23/16, my car lost power on acceleration. The check engine light and the coil (tdi) light came on. I pulled over and turned off the car and waited. Then started the car again, began driving, and it happened again. I called the tow truck. Dealer service manager (fitzgerald - andrew) gave me the run around -- telling me that I put contaminated fuel in my car. I called sunoco and my, geico, immediately. The most upsetting part of all of this was how andrew approached the problem, exaggerated my involvement in it and arrogantly used his position to show blame to me -- never explaining this is an extended recall and why! I am now getting my fuel pump fixed under the warranty. But.... This should be a recall now. I know that this problem was on-going for me for a whole year, and I believe that it has damaged my car, and I cannot prove this. Please save other owners and recall this part.

Filed Dec 11, 2015 · Fuel system · 72,000 miles · AL

I was driving on a county road when I began to lose power. There was traffic behind me. My car began to shake and make a loud knocking sound as it countinued to coast. As soon as I was able to begin to pull to the shoulder, my car completely and violently died. It would not restart, leaving me stranded and causing upcoming traffic to avoid me. The dealership states it is high pressure fuel pump failure. The analysis of fuel shows a lubricity failure, which the dealership stated was due to metal shavings. It was negative for gasoline and has not been mis-fueled. There has been multiple reports of these failures, which cause the metal shavings to contaminate the fuel system. Vw has extended coverage to these pumps, but does not take responsibility for the ongoing failures. "not passing the lubricity test" which appears to be caused from the pump failure itself, voids the extended coverage, causing thousands of dollars in repairs.

Filed Aug 10, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 62,740 miles · IL

Car lost all power and would not restart.I was driving about 55mph on a rural road, thankfully there was not a lot of traffic at the time the car failed. The glow plug light started flashing as the engine was losing power. There was no warning that the car would fail like this. I was able to pull off the the road in neutral. I suspected a high pressure fuel pump failure since vw had just sent out a letter notifying me that the warranty on that part had been extended to 120k miles. After it was towed to the dealership, they confirmed it was a hpfp failure and I am waiting to find out if vw will cover the repair. Was told that this failure caused damage to the entire fuel system ($8,800.00usd). I do not see how vw can put a car on the road with a part that could potentially fail and cause this much damage.

Filed Jun 11, 2015 · Fuel system · 82,000 miles · CA

The car is a 2012 jetta sportwagon tdi. It has received all appropriate service and maintenance, and only diesel fuel has been used in the car. There was approximately 1/2 tank of diesel left when the incident occurred. While driving on a residential street, the glow plug warning light began to flash. Approximately 30 seconds later the engine began to lose power, and within two minutes died completely. I was able to coast to the curb and park, but the car would not start again. An inspection by a certified mechanic found metal shavings throughout the fuel/propulsion system, and diagnosed a blown high pressure fuel pump. This is a known issue with vw tdi engines.