The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, there was a strong gasoline odor inside the cabin. The contact immediately pulled over and exited the vehicle to inspect for visible fuel leaks, but found no leaks. While attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and stalled repeatedly. Additionally, the brakes failed to function properly, preventing the vehicle from stopping as needed. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The independent mechanic associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V403000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.
Volkswagen Passat jerking problems
109 of the 7,709 owner complaints about the Volkswagen Passat describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2004 model year.
- owner complaints
- 109
- worst model year
- 2004
- typical repair cost reported
- $5,000
- typical mileage
- 45,540
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 17Hesitation 15Harsh shifting 8Loss of power 6Won't shift 5Stalling 5Transmission failure 4Fuel pump 4
Trouble codes mentioned
P2181 1
What owners say
My vehicle was part of the emissions scandal that I knew nothing about when i purchased it. I was not told. I have had it in over 15 times at the dealership with ongoing problems that they say they fixed but isn't and because of its other Problems have occurred. The vehicle gets hot, and I am afraid to drive it out of fear of it exploding. It is a diesel and has stalled on me while driving after jerking on its own. Other issues are lights going out such as break lights, fog lights and doors locking up and not locking. Glow plugs, fan going out and now problems with the coolant system getting hot. I have taken it to Volkswagen Tracy where i bought it several times, but they only charge me more in diagnostic fees and repairs. I noticed when driving on the highway people stay far at a distance in back of me than normal. Now with a recall on the airbags after it gets hot, I am afraid to drive it out of fear of serious injury or death to me and my family. date is approximate and i have over 50 pages of repair invoices.
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle was vibrating abnormally while in park(P) and had started jerking while driving. The contact stated that while driving and exceeding 70 MPH, the shaking and vibrating became worse. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil on top of the engine. The EPC warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed. The contact was informed that the breather valve, oil separator, the lower and upper timing cover, all four coil pack connectors, the coolant fluid and brake fluid, rear brake pads, wheel alignment, and engine air filters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
This is the second car like this that I have had. Both had the same issues. when at highway speeds of 65 or greater the steering wheel will shake left and right. It is almost like there is a wheel that is not balanced. That is not the case, I have had the car in the shop 3 times now for this same issue. The last car I had(2015 VW Passat TDI) my son totaled it out in January. It also had the same issues but the dealer ship in Fort Wayne Indiana got it fixed and never really told me what was wrong with it other than they had to call the manufacturer to resolve the issue. The new car has been to the shop and I recorded what it was doing while driving for the technician to see and he put it back up on his lift the day after I got it back from them. he was able to replicate what it was doing for me on the road in the air and on his lift without the car moving. The steering wheel will shake from left to right and as speed picks up it becomes faster and more violent. I was told that I needed a new "Rack and Pinion". The dealership explained to me that the main steering gear is bad and since it is electronic the computer doesn't know where zero should be, thus causing the jerking of wheel from left to right as the computer is guessing and then over correcting. This information would have been more helpful upfront before I paid to have the car worked on chasing other issues that did not resolve the problem. So as of right now I am $1,700.00 in on this issue and being told that it's another $3,500.00 to fix said issue with no guarantee that it will actually be fixed. I asked what would happen if the gear actually broke and I was told to always wear my seatbelt and to keep both hands on the steering wheel. The faster you go the harder it shakes, when your at highway speeds and go to pass someone the car really shakes.
While driving car began to jerk and had odd smell. Stopped at a Midas to have car looked at and all of the transmission fluid leaked out. Techs at Midas state the gasket that hold the fluid in came out and caused all the fluid to leak out. Had no issues while driving previous to this, this just happened randomly in the middle of our drive. We did jot hit or run over anything and the road we were traveling on was in good paved condition.
Since owning the vehicle, the lane assist is very aggressive. It will pick up tire marks or tar in the road and jerk the car out of the lane that I am in. I’ve contacted the dealership and they told me that there is nothing they can do to turn the sensitivity down. It has done it several times and almost caused a sideswiped collision.
I was taking an exit ramp onto the highway when my car just started accelerating on its own. I pulled onto the highway and was cruising at 55 mph. The car then jerked a little and started to accelerate past 60 then to 70. I pressed the brakes and nothing happened. My car then accelerated to 80 mph. I continued pressing the brakes to try to slow down but nothing happened. Then I heard a loud crack sound and all of a sudden the car started to slow down. That is when I realized it had actually shut off. So I pulled to shoulder and had it towed to a mechanic shop. It turns out the road hazard that I ran over was probably what saved me from serious injury or death. It busted my oil pan and that is what caused the car to shut off.
While driving straight in dry weather (i.e. no rain), the lane light will change from – green – to – yellow – color in the dash and the steering wheel will jerk, usually left, sometimes right, very abruptly, as if the car is trying to find the lane with lane assist on. Note, this is on well marked city streets and on regular interstate roads with clearly marked dashed lane lines. This has been happening for at least two months (today's date Dec. 12, 2021) and only now reporting this complaint. It did almost cause me to run into the car beside me several times or turn into the center median (trees) on city streets.
Tl*the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle jerked forward while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle went into limp mode with an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact pulled over and inspected the vehicle. The contact stated that the engine was rattling and over heating. At start-up, the RPM's revved up while the rattling persisted, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Bergstrom volkswagen of appleton (3019 n victory ln #102, appleton, wi 54913, (800) 398-6846) was contacted and an appointment was scheduled for the vehicle to be inspected. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was promised a call back which was still pending. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000. Consumer took the vehicle to be repaired and paid $300 but warning light is still on.
My 2013 vw passat 2.5 s only has 59k miles and I was driving I no down road all sudden the car jerked forward and went into limp mode. I had it looked at then parts replaced and still having issues and they can't figure out issue. And now new codes keep coming up and keep getting new parts put in but it still feels like engine about shake right out of the car. I tried calling volkswagen and they were supposed to call me back withing 2 days and I never heard anything back. I take really good care of my car and had all the parts replaced but its still having throttle and electrical issues and I can't get ahold of anyone. Mines having a lot of same issues as these people too which is weird especially around same time.
Related recalls
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG). The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.
- Risk
- If the leaking grease contacts a heated surface, such as the exhaust system and/or the diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could increase the risk of fire.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft heat shield, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23W5.
Recall number 17V309000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles equipped with a 1.8T engine and torque converter automatic transmission. In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between the oil cooler and the transmission may leak fluid.
- Risk
- The leaking transmission fluid could contact a hot surface and result in a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the O-ring seals in the transmission oil cooler, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38B9/9V.
Recall number 14V182000 · Recall details
Questions about the Volkswagen Passat jerking
Which Volkswagen Passat years have jerking or lurching problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2004 (19 complaints), 2002 (11 complaints) and 2006 (11 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix jerking or lurching on the Volkswagen Passat?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $5,000 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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