2000 Volkswagen Passat acceleration problems

Filed Dec 8, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 140,000 miles · TX

While stopped at a red light, the engine accelerated by itself (computer failure?). My husband, who was driving, had to use both feet, pressing down as hard as he could, to stop the car. Fortunately, no one was in front of us and we were far enough back that we did not accelerate into the intersection. The engine sound returned to normal after 15-30 seconds and we drove it home without further incident but we have stopped driving the car for safety reasons. In addition, the ABS computer module has also failed, though we have not had any incidents related to that failure as the brakes are otherwise fine.

Filed May 2, 2010 · Acceleration · 146,000 miles · WI

Vehicle accelerated on its own while I was driving on the freeway. The freeway was congested and I had just accelerated quickly to move into the left lane to avoid a semi truck entering the freeway on my right. I took my foot off the accelerator but the car continued to accelerate. I immediately pushed hard on the brake to avoid hitting the car in front of me. I had to apply considerable pressure to keep the car from increasing speed. I then placed the car in neutral and took my foot off the brake. The tachometer showed the engine revving up over the red line to 7000 rpms. Fearing that the engine might be damaged I put the car back into gear and controlled the car by applying the brake as hard as I could. The acceleration slowed after about another 30 seconds or so to the point where the car was traveling at a sustained 70 MPH without my foot on the accelerator or brake. This continued for several miles and eventually the accelerator began operating normally. During the last portion of sustaining 70 MPH I tried switching cruise control on and off several times but this had no effect. After I got off the freeway and stopped, I checked the floor mat or anything else that might have interfered with the accelerator pedal and did not observe anything out of the ordinary.

Filed Apr 20, 2009 · Acceleration · PA

My car keep surging when my foot is on the brake, my check engine light is not on.

Filed Oct 7, 2008 · Acceleration · 101,000 miles · CO · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen passat. While driving approximately 30 MPH and making a right turn, the accelerator pedal became stuck and caused the vehicle to continue accelerating. The contact swerved to avoid a bus and struck a curb instead. As a result, the rear axles were damaged. There were no other vehicles involved in the crash and he was uninjured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the vehicle was salvageable. The dealer also stated that there were no recalls relating to the accelerator pedal. He took the vehicle to a local repair shop and the rear axles were repaired. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current mileage was 102,000 and failure mileage was 101,000.

Filed Aug 22, 2008 · Acceleration · 61,440 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen passat. While driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal became stuck. The contact had to place the vehicle into neutral in order to slow down the vehicle. The current mileage was 61,456 and failure mileage was 61,440.

Filed Oct 25, 2005 · Acceleration · 55,000 miles · MI

I have a 2000 volkswagen passat gls 5 speed manual car with 65000 miles; for past 6 months while cruising on the highway with speeds above 65 MPH, the cruise control automatically gets engaged many a times even though I have never switched the cruise control on. This has happened atleast 10 times in the last 6 months and I have no way of knowing how and when it gets engaged. I have to be always alert to press the brake to disengage-engage this. Please let me know if you need more information.

Filed Mar 19, 2005 · Acceleration, Engine · NJ

2000 4-cyl vw passat, 64000 miles: 2 emissions failures within 48 hrs: 1.) replaced defective evaporator check valve and hose, replaced fuel reg to manifold line and n249 valve line to manifold, replaced vacuum lines ($331); 2.) cleaned carbonated throttle body, replaced jet valve, repalced air filter. Replaced mass air flow meter (under extended warranty) ($236). At 50,000 miles: replaced 2nd pump, n112 valve, cobi valve, cracked pipe, fuse set codes.

Filed Sep 15, 2004 · Acceleration · 58,000 miles · WA

When driving with cruise control set at 55 MPH, upon moving down a slope of a hill, the engine raced off and vehicle, a 2000 vw passat accelerated uncontrollably.

Filed Jun 10, 2004 · Acceleration · 72,500 miles · SC

Idle pulsates heavily at stops when in gear. Idle is rough when car is cold. Car hesitates heavily sometimes while accelerating from a stop. No fault codes displayed. Have replaced combination valve due to fault code stored in ecu, valve showed heavy buildup of carbon. Have replaced secondary air pump due to water buildup in pump. Problem occurred 1 year ago, was resolved by replacement of throttle body and coolant temp sensor at cost of $600. Problem now back.

Filed Jun 10, 2004 · Acceleration, Engine · 72,500 miles · SC

Engine speed pulsates at idle when automatic transmission is in gear and brakes applied. No failure or warning lights displayed. To prevent surging of car while stopped, transmission must be put in neutral. Also hesitates significantly during some accelerations from stop due to condition, and idles rough when cold. Same fault last year in jan. 2003, resolution through replacement of coolant sensor and throttle body.