2000 Volkswagen Passat: sudden loss of power

Filed Jun 12, 2012 · Engine · 13,430 miles · CA

Check engine turned on. My car starts to lose power. There was a misfire at #2 cylinder according to the auto mechanic.. In a stopped position or when I turn car off, I smell something burning. Had new coil installed and did a road test. The car was still misfiring. Checked again, and all ignition coils needed to be replaced. In 01/2012, again, there was a misfire at the #2 cylinder. The burning smell returned. I had that repaired. In 05/2012, again, there was a misfire at the #3 cylinder. The burning smell returned. I had that repaired.

Filed Jun 11, 2007 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · NY · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen passat. While driving 60 MPH the vehicle hesitated and there was a loss of power. He noticed smoke coming from the hood. Approximately five minutes later he noticed fire in the engine compartment. The dealer has not been inspected the vehicle to determine the cause of the fire. There is a defect investigation open for the ignition switch (the federal safety agency action # pe07024). The fire destroyed the vehicle. There is a police report available. The failure and current mileages were 80,000.

Filed Jul 6, 2004 · Brakes · 62,000 miles · GA

While driving on the highway at 62 MPH the vehicle started shaking, lost power then coasted to a stop. This occurred because the left rear rotor melted down and gummed up the brake fluid. This resulted in the braking system and transmission being inoperative. The dealership couldn't identify the cause of the rotor melt down ,they only replaced the melted and damaged parts. *nm

Filed Sep 9, 2003 · Engine · 57,000 miles · TN

While driving at moderate speeds of about 35 to 45 MPH, car engine lost all power. Engine was still running and all accessories (lights, radio, etc.) were on, but pressing on the gas pedal lead to no movement by the car. Epc warning light came on at the time of power loss as did the asr warning light. Stopping the car and turning it off and then back on remedied situation, but it recurred on 9/2/2003 under same conditions. Dealer analysis showed a sticking turbo booster valve and a bad oxygen sensor (this is the 2nd o2 sensor to be replaced within a year). Dealer had to order parts and they will not be in until at least 9/9/2003. Meanwhile, I have to drive a 79 mile round trip commute daily in traffic, and fear that this will happen when I am at 75 MPH on the interstate. This could lead to a crash with possible fatalities if it occurred.

Filed Apr 30, 2003 · Engine · 31,796 miles · CO

I purchased a new 2000 passat in feb. Of 2000. On nov. 5, 2001 the engine light came on, the dash displayed emission workshop.the sysmptoms were a jolting when placing the car into any gear and the car losing power for several seconds while driving.I took it in and found out the "engine control module" needed replacment & the "mass air flow sensor" needed to be replaced and it was fixed at no charge. Then, on dec. 23, 2002 I had the same symptoms and took it in and had topay $161.00 to replace the "vaccum line to manifold". Now yesterday april 28,2003 I had the same symptoms and found out the "mass air flow sensor" needs to be replaced for the seoncd time and the dealer will only pay 50% and they will stand behind their decision because they feel it's more then fair. The dealer has told me that it is very rare for this problem to happen. Well it has already happened 3 times in the 3 years I have owned it and they are unable to give me an answer to why this happens. I would like to know how may complaints you have received on case number:748685. I feel like I purchased a lemon and will be dealing with this same problem over and over. I will never purchase or recommend a volkswagen to anyone.

Filed Oct 26, 2002 · Engine · GA

I bought my 2000 volkswagen passat from georgia auto square in athens, ga. It was brand new with no miles. I have had all service requirements & recommendations done at this dealer. My car hesitates & loses power when trying to pass other cars on two lane roads, accelerating onto the expressway or accelerating while on the expressway. I have taken my car to the dealer one hour away six to seven times over a year (not including the times it was in for routine maintenance). They have kept my car over 50 days trying to find the problem, which they claim, is a wet air filter. They told once that they had to remove the snow guard, which worked with other cars experiencing this problem (obviously I am not the only one). This seems bizarre since it doesn't appear to be weather related. How does water get into an air filter (if that in fact is the problem) and why after all this time haven't they been able remedy it? I have had numerous close calls involving my family & other drivers unfortunate enough to be near me during these power failures. Being in several life threatening situations after being assured that my car was fixed, their service manager apologized for "my inconvenience". Three weeks ago while driving to a funeral, my car stalled while merging at I-985 & I-85. After suddenly losing power & terrifying me and the driver behind me, who saw that I experiencing trouble, the car finally started jerking, let out a billow of smoke & finally (and thankfully) caught & drove on. I have been forced to drive a nissan with 240,000 miles on it while I pay for a volkswagen with a little over 40,000 miles, which once again sits at the dealer's. This time he has had it for over a week (test driving, yet again) the car I am paying for. He has admitted previous times experiencing the exact problems I reported while driving the vehicle. Yet, the dealer and the volkswagen rep continue to exercise reckless disregard for my life, my family's lives, and others on the road. Dt

Filed Jul 18, 2001 · Engine · CA

The vehicle has had three failures of the mass airflow sensor since it was purchased. In each instance the failure occurred while accelerating onto a freeway. Each failure resulted in a severe loss of power for several seconds that could have resulted in an accident. The dealer has only replaced the mass airflow sensor with no other cause found reported for the previous failures.