2006 Volkswagen Passat: jerking or lurching

Filed May 27, 2020 · Transmission · 91,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

The automatic transmissions used in the b6 volkswagen passat 2.0t along with several other vw models are notoriously problematic. There was a recall on the transmission control unit needing a software update which was done on my vehicle, however this does not address the real issue with these transmissions. The widespread and more serious issue with these transmissions is the valve body assembly part of the transmission causing hard shifts usually between first and second or third and fourth gear. These hard shifts cause the entire car and it's passengers to jerk violently during upshifts and sometimes downshifts between these gears. At only 91,000 miles and well taken care of my car has developed this problem between third and fourth gear making it feel very dangerous and unsettling for the driver and passengers of the vehicle when getting up to speed especially on on-ramps to the highway. I also want to mention that this problem has destroyed my motor mounts as well. Vw should take responsibility for this defective part of the transmission similar to the way honda did with their odyssey, only this does not require the whole transmission to be replaced like with the odyssey. This is an enormous safety concern that needs to be acknowledged and address by volkswagen, the largest automobile manufacturer in the world.

Filed Feb 21, 2018 · Fuel system · 125,000 miles · CA

The car hesitates roughly in a jerking way. Mostly when driving from a stopped position in 1st gear the car would hesitate then get a burst & start to move properly. Sometimes on the highway I wouldn't be able to accelerate if I'm trying to pass someone. The car would hesitate for a second, so I release the gas for a second then press again to continue. I already replaced fuel pump controller (very expensive) now it's going out again & my engine light goes off & on for long periods of time. The mechanic says it's the same problem, now I'm trying to wait for this recall to be active so I can drive my car without fear of car failure in the worst moment with my kids in the car.

Filed Jul 1, 2016 · Acceleration, Engine · 80,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that the vehicle unintentionally accelerated and jerked as the rpms revved. The contact stated that force was constantly applied to the brake pedal when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on four occasions where the throttle body and the electronic control module were replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Jan 18, 2008 · Transmission · 60 miles · MA

I leased a 2006 vw 2.0 on jan 4, 2006, and it has been a choir. The engine light came on after 3 months, the car bucks as if I am riding a donkey, lunging very unsafe to the point of almost causing whiplash - with no rhyme or reason. I have taken the car to the dealer in braintree, ma several times - unable to duplicate problem. On jan 4 , 2007 a year later I took the car in to be service - I was told that it went out for a test drive - again unable to duplicate problem - as soon as I hit the highway the car started jerking (so much for the test drive) 2nd vw with throttle problems I will never purchase or recommend vw to anyone.

Filed Nov 10, 2007 · Acceleration · NJ

There is an unsafe throttle lag on the 2006 volkswagen passat 3.6 liter. Approx 4 sec delay when depressing the accelerator pedal after the car comes to a stand still or in the event of an evasive maneuver, merging, passing and stop and go traffic. Nothing happens until you've depressed the pedal approx. 3/4 to an inch of pedal travel, then all of a sudden, the car lurches and accelerates at what feels like half to full throttle.

Filed Aug 12, 2007 · Acceleration · 14,700 miles · VA

On hot weather days (90 degrees or more) the engine will intermittently run at a high idle of approximately 1,000 RPM at stops. The engine normally idles around 600 RPM at stops. When this happens, the car lurches forward and requires excessive force on the brake pedal to maintain control of the vehicle. As it is an intermittent condition, the driver will be caught unaware of how much pressure to apply to the brake to bring the vehicle to a complete stop in the anticipated distance. This has LED to near accidents with vehicles and pedestrians.

Filed Aug 10, 2007 · Acceleration · 14,000 miles · GA

Engine idle intermittently sits higher than normal (900-1000rpm) permitting car to want to lurch forward (like at traffic stops) which can cause the driver to hit the person in front of them.

Filed May 17, 2007 · Transmission · 200 miles · MI

2006 volkswagen passat 3.6l hesitated from a slow rolling. When slowing but not stopping the car completely, the car hesitated when the throttle was applied. When throttle input was realized the car may lurched forward unexpectedly. This appeared to be a combination engine / transmission issue, but may be more related to the transmission not being in the correct gear. Volkswagen issued a programming update for the ecu in october 2006 , which reduced, but did not eliminate the problem. The incident date really did not n apply as this was a constant problem.

Filed May 16, 2007 · Acceleration, Transmission · 1,000 miles · WI

2006 volkswagen passat 3.6l fwd automatic. Hesitation from a slow roll. When slowing but not stopping the car completely the car hesitated when the throttlewas applied. When throttle inputwas realized the car lurch ed forward unexpectedly. This appeared to be a combination of engine / transmission issue but may be more related to the transmission not being in the correct gear. Volkswagen issued a programming update for the ecu in oct 2006, which reduced, but did not eliminate the problem. The incident date really did not apply as this was a constant problem.

Filed Aug 2, 2006 · Acceleration · SC

Throttle lag. When turning into traffic, sometimes the car lurches forward instead of easing forward. The throttle should be adjusted so that softly pressing the pedal moves the car instead of having to press the pedal hard (which leads to the dangerous lurching).

Filed Jun 28, 2006 · Acceleration, Transmission · OH

There is an unsafe prolonged hesitation when depressing the accelerator pedal on the 2006 volkswagen passat 3.6 liter 4 motion. When depressing the accelerator pedal, nothing happens until you've depressed the pedal approx. 3/4 to an inch of pedal travel, then all of a sudden, the car lurches and accelerates at what feels like half to full throttle. It is a random hesitation, yet occurs at probably 30% of the time. It is most noticeable when starting from a stop, yet will happen on the highway, if accelerating to pass. This is a very dangerous malfunction. If this abrupt acceleration occurs in snowy or icy conditions, it could cause a loss of control. I have experienced several times, when I expected my car to move forward when I depressed the gas pedal, only to have it hesitate and nearly cause an accident. This car has a drive by wire accelerator, which I believe is a fairly recent design change. We have another car with the same type of system which does not do this. I have read 2 new car reviews that have mentioned this problem with this particular model. After taking delivery, I called to tell the service department of this problem. After trying to convince me that this was "normal", they took my car in to try to resolve the problem. It was there for 10 days, during which time 2 engineers came out from volkswagen to look at the car. They agreed that there was something amiss, and felt that they needed a software update installed. There was not one available, and I was told on march 30th that it would be ready within 30 days. It has now been 3 months since then, and multiple phone calls later, a fix is still not ready. I have been told that it is ready, but waiting government approval, and then told that nothing is ready. No one at volkswagen customer service has been able to give me an estimated time when my car can be repaired. There is really no "incident" to report, other than an unsafe malfunction which needs to be corrected.