1999 Volkswagen Passat: jerking or lurching

Filed Aug 18, 2005 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · NY · fire

Dt: while driving at 30 MPH and suddenly there was a jerking of the car as if the tire was flat. Pulled over , inspected the vehicle for a flat and none was found. Consumer got back into the vehicle and noticed the malfunction engine light was blinking. At this point consumer continued to drive down the service road of the highway of about 15 MPH. There was a strong odor of something burning, no smoke was seen. This smell was like burned rubber. Consumer called volkswagen, and they suggested that if the malfunction engine"light was blinking to shut off the engine immediately. After pulling over, consumer called tow truck. Tow truck arrived , inspected under the hood and discovered there was fire from underneath the engine itself. The tow truck driver tried to extinguish fire with water and later a fire extinguisher-this did not put the fire out. The fire department had to be called.,in the meantime the fire grew larger. At that time, fire department came and put fire out. Fire crew noted this was most likely an electrical fire, perhaps due to the intensity of the heat from summer and a mix of electrical wiring started the fire. The car was then towed to an insurance company lot for further investigation. Currently, the consumer did not know why this h happened. The vehicle was regularly serviced and maintained. The vehicle had only 60,500 miles. The was the first problem experienced with this vehicle.

Filed Jan 28, 2004 · Engine · 54,000 miles · NJ

While braking engine light came on . Vehicle jerked forward before stopping. Dealership replaced the oil pump and other engine components, but the problem still occurs.

Filed Apr 14, 2001 · Steering · NC

Driving in downpour, from stopped position at stoplight, turned onto street free of any obstacles, steering jerked hard, right tire ripped, wheel rim bent, dealer says not covered by recall (?) 3 weeks, dealer can not fix car.

Filed Jan 28, 2000 · Acceleration · VA

When applying brakes to make a normal stop vehicle will lurch forward before it comes to a complete stop. Dealer cannot determine cause.

Filed Nov 15, 1998 · Electrical, Transmission · CA

Clutch - the clutch remained depressed to floorboard even though the gear remained engaged! The car lurched forward into intersection! Electrical fire - the car's electrical system under the hood caught fire burning the car to the ground.. This car is brand new and experienced these problems within 1 week of delivery to customer...