Click here to register.
Passat accelerates...by itself!
User: acceler8
Date: 12/20/2005 7:38 pm
Views: 5430
Rating: 12

OK...this is the first time I've ever in my life joined a message board of this type.  I'm desperate at this point and begging anyone for information.

Recently, I bought a 1999 V6 Passat (Certified Pre-Owned...which I'm finding means "squat").  The car has roughly 49K miles on it.  Two weeks ago, my girlfriend was on the highway and noticed the car wasn't reacting or slowing when she removed her foot from the gas pedal.  When she applied the brake, it was obvious to her that the car was taking on a life of its own.  The car ended up getting up to 85 MPH and increasing before she had to slam on the brakes to fight the acceleration, pull into the breakdown lane, throw it in neutral, and turn the car off.

We had it towed to VW (Manchester, NH) where the car was purchased.  Of course, the computer doesn't show anything wrong (do they ever?), they couldn't re-create the problem, and so their obvious answer was "There's nothing wrong".

Now, I know - you're thinking "was the floor mat on the gas pedal and she didn't realize it?".  The answer is no.  There was nothing inside the car manipulating the gas that would cause this.

We decided it was best to trade vehicles and I would drive the car.  Well, low and behold, I did experience the problem.  Since I was expecting it to happen at some point, it was a little easier for me to handle.  What I did was to throw the car into neutral right away when I felt the car increasing without touching the gas.  I found the RPM's were running at roughtly 4500...I can see why she was so scared when it first happened.  It's not a pleasant experience to say the least.

This time we had it towed to another VW dealership (Bernardi VW in Massachussetts).  They too say the computer didn't find anything and they can't re-create the problem.  But they were nice enough to hand over a bill for their services - or as I'd rather say "lack thereof".  Plus, one of their Service Technicians took the car home of which I'm probably paying for his labor.

I need to know what can be done about this situation.  I'm paying on a vehicle that is not safe to drive and have never had this type of experience with a car (call me fortunate). 

If you have experienced this, please reply to this message.  Just the same, if you know of anything that can be done legally please provide any comments you can. 

I'm feeling quite stuck.

 

Re: Passat accelerates...by itself!
User: tprogers
Date: 3/5/2008 2:40 pm
Views: 612
Rating: 0

This same thing happened to me this morning.

I had to speed up quickly to avoid being hit by a semi while merging onto a highway, and when I let up on the gas pedal the car continued to accelerate rapidly to the high 80s. I didn't think to put the car in neutral, but I did stomp on the accelerator repeatedly when I wasn't holding the brake. Eventually the pedal came up, but that didn't slow the car.

I think this continued about two minutes, and then the unusual acceleration ceased. I had complete steering control the entire time, which I think is the only reason I didn't hit anything.

I was driving a 2000 Passat. 

If this happens to you, please post here. 

--- (Edited on 3/5/2008 2:40 pm [GMT-0600] by tprogers) ---

Re: Passat accelerates...by itself!
User: 2001Passat
Date: 6/23/2008 7:23 pm
Views: 1829
Rating: 0

I've never joined one of these things either but the same thing happened to me tonight, twice, driving home from the airport after a long weekend out of state. 

First, I hit the gas to merge onto the highway and the car did fine, but when I took my foot off the gas, much to my surprise the car continued to accelerate.  I tapped the breaks, which helped until I of course stopped tapping them and the car reaccelerated.  I then thought it was the mat, and reached down and pulled that out of the way and things seemed to settle down right after.  Nothing else seemed to be wrong and the car handled fine after that, so I kept going...

And had to accelerate again to get into my exit lane a few miles later only to have the same thing happen.  This time I went right for the mat, which should have been out of the way from the earlier episode, and the car started to slow after a few seconds.

 I have to tell you, I am not scared by much and this really frightened me.  I'd like to think it's just the mat but I would hate to find out otherwise going 70 on the highway again.

--- (Edited on 6/23/2008 7:23 pm [GMT-0500] by 2001Passat) ---

Previous • Next •
Intro To VW Story

*This website is in no way affiliated with Volkswagen Corporation or any of its affiliates or dealerships. This is a personal web site exercising the First Amendment of the Constitution of The United States, which is Freedom of Speech and Self Expression. This web site has been created and obtained for personal use only. Neither the website or the domain is being used for commercial use or profit. This website is not for sale nor will it ever be for sale. Any reference to employees or dealerships is not in anyway a reflection of any individuals personal character or demeanor. The business events, service records, statements and information are truthful and to the best of my knowledge.
Please read the legal notice for further information regarding this website. - DISCLAIMER
If you disagree with any of the legal statements contained within this site, click off of the website and do not return.
Contact The Webmistress

AMENDMENT I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.


My Personal Experience with Bob Rohrman Gurnee Volkswagen