We alert you to a troubling article regarding the Volkswagen Golf published by Fairfax Media. Most of the issues reported on relate to Mk5 Golfs and centre around the 2011 death of 32-year-old Melissa Ryan on Melbourne’s Monash Freeway:
A coroner this week investigated the death of Ms Ryan, who was killed when a prime mover with two trailers hit her Golf from behind. The truck driver and Ms Ryan’s family believe her car dramatically and inexplicably slowed before the crash. After Fairfax’s reporting of the coronial inquest, 15 owners of Volkswagens have spoken of frightening experiences when their cars, including Golf, Passat, Polo and Eos models, suddenly lost power on highways and, in one case, a train line.
“I did not feel safe driving a car like that. It was frightening,” said Jean Lim, who was driving a 2007 Golf automatic that suddenly decelerated. VW replaced the gearbox but the issue returned. Another driver, who owned a 2008 Golf automatic, said she drove “in constant terror”. “The light comes up, the car just dies and you just pray that you’re not smashed into,” said the driver, who declined to be named.
We suggest you read the article in full. If you drive a recent model Volkswagen and have experienced similar problems we’d like to hear from you in the comments section below.
For the interests of transparency we spent over six years at the wheel of a 2006 Golf GTI (6-speed manual) and never encountered anything at all like this. The car went back to Volkswagen for three voluntary recalls, although the car was not exhibiting any of the problems covered by the recalls at the time.
95 replies on “Has your Volkswagen suddenly lost power?”
Does the DSG hesitation count? just as dangerous IMO when left hanging in an intersection for what seems an eternity praying the gears box wakes ups.
Get a manual and stop whinging. But, yeah, DSG reliability is questionable.
Thanks Liam for giving long suffering Golf owners like myself a platform from which we can openly express our frustrations and be heard.
In answer to your question – YES! This was happening last year to my Golf, a lot. For example, a bunch of times I was driving along a busy arterial road doing 80-90km/h, or a Motorway doing 100km/h+, and upon squeezing the accelerator for a little more power to go up an incline, I’d lose all power for a few seconds and the car would slow down really fast. Super scary stuff. I was constantly driving around with a puckered up arsehole, and my finger over the hazard light switch, waiting for the next time I’d suddenly lose all power and have to start praying nobody would hit me until my Golf came back to life.
Keep up the good fight for us long suffering Golf owners! It’s good to see VW are finally being held accountable for their poor product quality.
For reference, my Golf is a 1991 Mk II Golf GTI.
My new B Class is DSG no such problems and yes there is a slight hesitation but nothing like VW/Audi where your could boil an egg in the given time
limp mode has kicked in 5 times on a 2012 Polo. taken it to 2 separate dealers and none have been able to fix the issue. 🙁
The girl who was involved in the accident was driving a manual golf….it’s also worth noting that no mechanical fault was found with the vehicle by investigators.
I suffered a problem on a MK5 2005 GTI where the car cut out 9 times before Chatswood Classic threw there hands up and had a head office technician check out my car. In my case the engine would turn off, it occurred at a range of speeds, fast and slow. Over the nine visits they replaced almost the entire fuel system, before the head office tech also requested them to change a low pressure fuel sensor. This appeared to fix the problem but I didn’t own the car for long after that. My car had other problems too, notwithstandinding it was bought brand new via a factory order with a six month plus wait. Needless to say I haven’t bought another VW since.
[…] In a not unexpected development Volkswagen has issued an official response to yesterday’s Fairfax Media article: […]
I had a relatively scary moment when my reasonably new (3 months at a guess) 2011 Polo GTI went into limp mode moments after I’d mashed the throttle to pull into busy but fast flowing freeway traffic after I’d pulled over on the Hume Highway to try to find my e-tag which had fallen off the windscreen. It then proceeded to stay in limp mode and run like a bag of bolts until i got to my destination. If I recall correctly it was something to do with a software glitch with number 4 cylinder and knock sensing or something like that.
To be fair, limp mode can happen in any car, it’s just that out of the 8 cars I’ve owned since 1998, none except the Polo have thrown EML and check engine lights – and the Polo did it on more than one occasion. That and other issues are why i only kept it 12 months and why I probably won’t be sending my hard-earned money VW’s way any time soon
[…] fallout from Fairfax Media’s article last Friday, reporting on cases of Volkswagen’s suddenly losing power, continues to gather momentum. First, Volkswagen issued an official response after the original […]
[…] Limited brings word of an expected recall to be announced by Volkswagen following intense media scrutiny over the last couple of […]
[…] delivered her findings into the investigation of the death of Melissa Ryan in 2011. The case came to prominence earlier this year after a concerted campaign from Fairfax […]
My VW golf 1.8 20v turbo lost all power on the motorway going up a slight incline had to roll over to the hard shoulder to turn the car off and back on then would run fine but continue to do this leaving me having to come of the motorway as to dangerous I have no clue why it does this and am now scared to drive it on the motorway can any one help it’s an older golf on a V reg
I have a VW 2004 Polo and this started to happen two days ago. luckily I was not rearended every time, but it usually happened when I pulled off at a light, the car just loses power and the rev’s drop to zero but within a few seconds it will kick in again or I have to restart the car, it’s happened four times in the last two days.. but to be honest I am afraid to to take to a dealer or mechanic , they take one look at me and know they can tell me anything and I would believe them. Sometimes I wish I did a mechanics course #firstworldwomenproblems.
@lara – it is unfortunately true that sexism is endemic within the automotive dealership industry.
It would be nice if you didn’t have to, but find a male friend or family member who is clued up on these issues to go to the dealer with you. The voluntary recall issued by VW might not have covered the 2004 Polo, but your rights under the Australian Consumer Law are not subject to whether VW feel like it or not and a mention of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission should be enough to get VW to fix it.
[…] of concerned owners who have been complaining about a number of reliability problems in the wake of heavy media scrutiny regarding the Victorian coronial inquest into the death of Melissa […]
March 2014
My 2012 Passat has lost power completely three times in three days!
It has been towed to the dealers in Mildura ,who say there is nothing wrong it.
They sent me home suggesting I not stop on the way and maybe give the battery a charge.
Guess what, it happened again this morning.
Go figure. It the last VW I’ll buy!
I have been using it for as while now and I didn’t have any issues.
I owned a mkv gti manual which had this problem. after a couple of complete power losses (complete power failure, had to pull off the road and restart the engine) I took it to the service centre but they couldn’t find a problem. It happened again and I worked out that it was happening when the tank was no more than a quarter full and I was travelling over 60km/h. I took this information to the service centre and asked them to check the car. Once again they couldn’t find a problem so I took the manager out with me and recreated the problem whilst he was in the car on a busy freeway. I think he was a little shocked when the car cut out and I had to swerve across two lanes onto the hard shoulder. Anyway, they now took me seriously and diagnosed the problem as a faulty fuel pump which was fixed under warranty. I didn’t, think too much of it until the death in Victoria. Sounds very similar.
Recently bought a Golf plus 2.0 GT TDI 55 plate. I suddenly lose power on the motorway and with my pedal all the way manage to crawl to 60-70 mph. Scary stuff especially being on the motorway and slowing down suddenly. Can this issue be rectified?
hi i am loosing power on my golf 6 gti 2010 model while driving can you please help me with troubleshooting tips
had my golf gt 2008 2 months when i experienced the same as all above …i was driving on a bit of an incline pushed down on accelerator and it lost all power car nearly went into the back of me and i had to slowly make my way to the hard shoulder turned off engine then after getting over the shock for 5 mins it drove home normally but now i dont fancy driving on motorways in next time im not so lucky
We are currently sitting waiting for the tow truck for the second time in 6 weeks to pick up our 2013 Toureg. Yes, even VWs so called flagship has loss of power issue. My other half was nearly cleaned up last night crossing a dangerous intersection on her way home in Margaret River. Try having this issue when you live regional, VW customer(don’t) care are useless.Oh well back to the land cruiser.
I recently purchased a 2009 Golf TDI manual and it lost power twice within 4kms. The second time was halfway through a turn, car just slowed down and steering went heavy but engine was still running. Lucky there weren’t any oncoming traffic and car behind me stopped. This is not safe at all.
I too bought a 6 year old car that broke down once or twice.
Unacceptable.
Hi. I purchased a second hand 2008 beetle 1.6 manual petrol. Occasionally it looses power for a few seconds and then kicks in as normal. The epc light sometimes goes on. It also revs for nothing. I feel it so unsafe. I took it to mechanics who said its the air flow filter, changed that. Then the lamba sensor, pressure sensor and still the problem is there. I love the car I just want to fix it. The Mecchanic is suggesting as a last option to change the ICU or ECU but is not sure it will change anything as he practically gave up on it. Any suggestions please?
My Passat Alltrack 177 HP 36000 Km on the clock from January 2014 had the same problem I have only had the problem once and now I´m in contact whit VW in Denmark.
I´d was driving 130 Km/t on the freeway and was mowing my foot from the accelerator and the care go into a free run (normal) when I´d pressed the accelerator the car lost its power, putting the gear in position sport the power went back. If the was putting into sport that fixed the problem I don´t know. If you ask if it´s was terrifying yes I´d almost S… in my pants.
This happened to us last night. We were in our Golf TSI 2009 petrol model. We were on the Hume Fwy at 100 kms. It suddenly lost power and decelerated fast, no power at all, but managed walking speed. Happened to be near Sydney road exit and crawled to a very narrow shoulder. Vic roads highway management man came to help after 25 mins. Very dangerous before he came. RACV fixed the problem by hard booting the computer. Brilliant short term fix… Thank you so much RACV
I have a 2014 VW Passat 130TDI. Today at 110 KMpH heading up a hill I had a sudden loss of power, the revs were coming up but I had no drive. I knocked itout of drive and back in and the power came back but before this it was just like the car as coasting and slowing on the hill.
I have a 2007 Golf 1.9 tdi DSG and in the last two weeks it lost sudden and full power 3 times. The ladt time I was busy passing a very slow ( fortunately) truck. As I turned back into the lane the car lost all power an slowed down drastically. I had to coast off the road because I almost had a panic attack seeing the bug truck becoming a grill only in my rearview mirror. I went back home an had it towed tonthe dealer. Awaiting a reply from them. It is really scary when the sudden deaccelleration occurs.
I have had dozens upon dozens of incidents where my TDI has suffered a sudden loss in power. I have spent a ton to determine the culprit…and the culprit is Volkswagen.
It is NOT a mechanical failure. It is a CONTROL failure brought on by the software design for the vehicle’s engine control unit (ECU).
This ECU puts the occupants of the vehicle in harms way by cutting fuel or by disabling the turbo on the TDI.
The ECU is reset each time the engine is turned off and then back on. It can happen at any instance when the ECU does not like the feedback from multiple engine sources.
I repeat: The ECU can cause the vehicle to lose power even though there is NO MECHANICAL FAILURE.
I have a 2014 Tiguan 1.4TSI with 6 speed DSG. Twice I have had the problem of power loss. The first time when the vehicle was about 6 months old and most recently a couple of days ago. I was approaching an incline and applied more gas and there was no response from the motor. The revs were limited to a maximum of 1500 and the DSG would not change down from 6th gear. The vehicle started to slow down. Putting the DSG into manual shifting mode cured the problem.
The agency ran a diagnostic and found no error codes. The car has only 65K km with full service history and DSG oil change a 60K.
I have today had the same problem with my VW Passat 2.0l Estate DSG. I was starting from a traffic light pretty fast when I ended up behind a slow vehicle so took my foot off the accelerator. Immediately placing my foot back on the pedal all power was lost and I started to crawl in the second lane luckily no traffic was coming up fast behind me as I would have ben zapped. The only way I got the car back to normal was by playing with the manual paddles on the steering wheel changing gear. This happened when I was on the way to the garage for a service, it was checked for faults however none were found.
This seems like a potential life threatening issue that VW need to take on board and resolve. How many people will be in accidents or even get killed before VW do something about it.
Recently in 22 Jan 2016, my Volkswagen Polo Petrol Car (Manual gear Transmission) has gone down with sudden Power Loss issue and reached to a grinding halt while driving on road. No power, no lights, locked doors and trunk, and the car was sent for Servicing and till now no proper response from Dealer in India (about 2 months). Heard that few more vehicles also faced the same Power Loss Problem. Yes, it is life threatening and dangerous to drive on such vehicles though branded.
I own a Polo 2007 model For a year and four months I am struggling with power loss/
I already replace three sensors the coil pack and plug wires. Still my car loss power when and were it like. There is no indificaton when it will happend. Anything between 100 km to 2000 km it can happend. Everytime VW try new parts and nothing happens.
I am so unhappy and I dont know what to do. I cannot buy a new car.
What can I do
Hi. given i have a polo gti dsg it happend one day i was over taking a car suddenly the looses its power wen i accelarate its as if the computer box its confused!! i took it to vw they told me dat my supercharge turbo fuse was burned.. they replaced nd now its fine i hope the problem dnt come.
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I do have VW jetta 2007 1.6 of late its been losing power I was told the problem was Oxygen sensor I replaced it. There was some improvement driving it within the City. I decided to go a long journey and the problem started after driving it for about 65km. It loses power as you drive what could be the problem
Yes. My golf 2007 Tdi has recently been acting like that. I have already spent a fortune in the hope that it has been repaired. I am now terrified to drive it as I usually have children in the car. No way do I want anything to happen to them.
I have not had a problem with loss of power – yet (my Golf Station Wagon is only 5 months old)- but I have had it slam on the brakes and come to a dead stop in response to a bird flying across in front. I am about to take it to the dealers but am very nervous about whether they can or will fix it. Has anyone had a similar problem?
My 2009 golf 6 highliner does the same. Don’t understand it. Its not save.
Guys
Nearly s— myself this morning on the Eastern Freeway driving my 2015 Alltrack.
100kmh and then loss of power – nothing.
Hazard lights on and drift across lanes of traffic into emergency lane.
Tried selecting gears manually but nothing worked.
Turned ignition off and turned back on again and all OK.
Not happy.
[…] AUSmotive.com » Has your Volkswagen suddenly lost power? – 35 comment(s) for “Has your Volkswagen suddenly lost power?†Cat. May 31, 2013. Does the DSG hesitation count? just as dangerous IMO when left hanging in an … […]
The same thing happened to my auto 2013 1.4TSI Tiguan. Sudden loss of power on a slightly inclined railway bridge. Nowhere to pull over but luckily the cars behind were able to change into the next lane in time to avoid a collision. Lasted for 5-10 seconds- I tapped the brake and then power returned (although I’m not sure that application of the brake fixed it or whether this was just a coincidence). Very disconcerting!!
The local VW service centre have been helpful but couldn’t find any problem.
I regularly drive the M1 freeway with children in the back (we’re heading down to Sydney tomorrow) and now I’m just scared and unsure what to do. What if I keep driving it and then we do have a serious accident- I would never forgive myself if something happened to the kids or another driver on the road.
I love my car but have no confidence in it now. I can’t afford to buy another car. I feel trapped between a rock and a hard place!!!
I bought vw golf jetta wagon few months back there was no problem until I got oil change at vw dealer and its start after week I’m loosing power suddenly and traction sign got on then vw dealer told me my car need transmission oil change to I did it still same anybody els with solution ?
adition to that its put car in neutral and I have re start car to get in gear
Our brand 2016 VW Tiguan with 1.4 engine lost total power and electronics at highway speed 100km/h, twice on 23 June 2016 , we were almost rear ended once. No control at all. Returned to VW Warwick, Qld they do not know what is the problem, all the service manager said was that the car is not safe to drive. The dealer said that they are contacting VW Australia engineers.
I have a 2013 R6 GTI Polo with the same issue, intermittently losing power when accelerating. Started about 3 months ago and it feels like someone is applying the brakes when accelerating. The revs would drop from 4k to 1.5k and no matter how deep you press the pedal in at this point there is no response from the engine. This loss will last about 2-3 seconds then come good again but then the revs shoot up to 5k from 1.5k and shoots the car forward. Initially I thought that this only happens when accelerating up hill after making a left turn (could replicate this every time) but then it started happening everywhere anytime. No matter if you go uphill, level road, left or right, there is always that 3 seconds it will not respond.
Took the car to VW Melville and they are really eager to get the issue sorted, however, it’s been back 5 times with the same issue. Luckily it’s still under warranty (till Aug). Needless to say not too happy with the brand. Probs won’t recommend getting a VW
This issue plagues VW’s, Audi and Skoda. The dealers have no idea how to fix it so if you have this issue and your car is out of warranty…good luck. If the dealers don’t get this sorted, I might push for a refund.
I have bought a 2nd 2009 VW Golf. The car regularly starts to shudder and then eventually an alarm sounds and the red dash light comes on usually accompanied by some other error light (I’ve had a few…). Usually turning the ignition off and on clears the error. Today it occurred doing 100k’s on the freeway and before I could pull over the car completely lost power – no acceleration at all. Fortunately I was able to pull over at that point, turned the ignition off and back on, and the car has been fine since. I have had the car to VW 3 times now. The first time the replaced something and said that was the problem. Clearly it wasn’t the only problem…. The second or third time they couldn’t find anything wrong. I will take it back again this week and see what they can find. Clearly there is something seriously wrong with these cars. VW need to come clean and help us owners who have real concerns about driving these cars on highways and freeways where you can’t always pull over in an emergency. Shame because otherwise it’s a good car…..
I own a 2015 VW Tiguan 1.4 TSI Bluemotion with dsg gearbox. About 2 months ago while cruising along a highway at about 110kph, the engine suddenly lost power and began to slow down. I stepped on the accelerator several times trying to speed up but the engine failed to respond. The needle on the tachometer was somewhere around 1,600 to 1,800 rpm and slowly falling. I managed to maneuver the car to the road shoulder where it came to a complete stop. After about 5 seconds I managed to restart the car and it ran fine without any problem.
Sent it to the VW workshop the next day and the mechanics found nothing wrong with the car. They however took the opportunity to upgrade the engine software to a newer version as my car still has the old version, so I am told. Haven’t had any problem with the car since but I noticed the car to be slightly more responsive now.
Hi,i had a vw golf 1.6 fsi Auto 2004.UK.
From 2009 it began loosing power after 50k miles.
Local vw dealership said it was the dsg gearbox.For 3 consecutive years(2010-13) they kept on changing the torque converter on the gearbox.
2016.112k miles.Esp light came on.RAC attended the break down and they took it to RAC approved garage.They found carbon build up on injectors caused the pistons on 3 cylinders to melt hence loss of power.It was not the torque convertor.
I am driving a 2003 vw polo which suddenly loses power to read zero on the rev counter. But once I turn the key on it comes back to life. It does this whether I am at high speed or low. It’s really frustrating and scary.Why they would make such a car and put it on the market baffles the mind. So much for German engineering.
My 2015 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack lost power at 100km/hr whilst on the monash freeway Melbourne, I lost power to 40km/hr. Almost got rear ended. Contacted VW to put car in on Friday.
My car is still under warranty and I wont accept that they wont find anything wrong with it. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE!!!!
Today I was driving in the monash freeway. My 2010 golf 118tsi. I looked at the dash tobsee nothing working. The car had switched off the came to a sudden stop. I was hit at high speed from behind. Thank God everyone was ok. The scariest moment of my life. I’m not sure if anyone can help but what can be done? This could have easily ended very differntly. The car was purchased in 2013 and had been through the recall process.
Anyone had any luck with fixing this issue? 8 have a 1.4tsi beetle sport. 2013 plate.
Had it 5 months and have been experiencing intermittent loss of power. Not complete loss but makes a total difference to the pull of the car. Feels so sluggish. Been to vw dealership and cannot find a fault through diagnostics or by driving it. At my wits end and my warranty runs out next month. If anyone can even point me in the right direction or suggest what it could be instead of expecting a computer to magically give them an answer I will be very grateful!!
I have 2006 vow polo 1.4litre. While driving on the motor way it looses power. Then you have to go to lower gears and start again to accelerate. Do anyone knows what the problem is. No orange light comes on the dash board.t
Same with mine. And only when on full throttle mines going in tomorrow. Let me know if you get any pointers as to what it may be.
I have a tiguan R line 2.0 turbo, two years old the problem had being occurring occasionally since it was new but has got worse. Over the long weekend I ended up in two dangerous situations with the family in the car. Driving up MT Hotham on a steep corner, it just started shuddering and lost power . There was a car behind me, I put the hazard lights on and limped along until there was a place to stop. The second time two days later was on the Hume Highway with a truck behind me, lucky the truck was able to move into the next lane. Once the car is stopped you can turn it off and on and it then seems to work okay (until the next time it does it). I got the car towed to the dealer this morning. I do not think it is safe for my wife to drive) I do not know if it is the same issue as above, but they have replaced injectors and are now replacing a cylinder. They can’t seem to fix mine either.
Hi all, I’d like to add my several experiences also.
Replaced battery, spark plugs, coils, had a DSG service and all and yet I still have two issues…
The car will randomly enter limp mode or just coast to a stop while running, or more commonly (such as happened to me 3 times in one day the other day and once in traffic today), the car just stops all together and throws the alternator fault and CEL. Had the alternator investigated and it’s certainly not the issue.
Got her booked in for a cambelt replacement in a week…
Hi an update on mine. I and the dealer put my case to VW to replace the clutches and they agreed. I had to pay labour….. Work was done in December 16 and so far it’s been good – no repeat of the problem that was occurring regularly. It still idles a little rough at times but apart from that it has been good. It doesn’t get much use but at least my wife is confident to drive it again. Can’t say my problem was the same as everyone else’s but keep pushing your dealers and VW to identify your problem and fix it at their cost.
As per comment above, I had my clutch packs done two weeks ago on my 2011 VW Jetta 118TSI for shuddering issue. Seemed to fix problem. Then air con stopped working today. I drove it an hour later and had flickering lights followed immediately by complete power failure at a busy intersection with my 2 year old in the back. Car won’t restart and has been towed to dealership. I was terrified someone was going to rear-end me.
I have a 2005 VW Gti 1.8 with 34,000 miles ( REALLY!) ilove my car but I ma becoming afraid to drive it. It will suddenly die on me ! It will , for no reason, slow down and stop. Or it will die at a traffic light. Just shut off. It has started this most recently. I notice that on hills it happens a lot. Even a slight grade. Curious? I have thought it was a vacuum line.
I am still investigating. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
I have a Golf 6 TSI 1.4 2011 manual transmission. My car has just over 90 000 kms on the clock. Following the 90 000 km service , a few days later, the car started losing power as I accelerated to 100 km/hr. The next day, the car just switched off and the EPC light came on. The car was towed to VW Barons Bruma in Johannesburg South Africa on 29Mar2017. Diagnostics was conducted where the issue found was water entry and damage to the computer system resulting in the replacement of th computer costing R30 000-00. The car was repaired and collected a month later. A day or two after collecting the car, driving to work on th highway, the car started losing power again. I just managed to pull into the parking lot at work. The car was noy safe to drive and I requested VW to collect the car. They picked up water entry again and told me that they took out the computer and components to dry put in the sun as well as needed to replace the temperature coolant sensor which was causIng the leak. The car was at the dealership since 21Apr2017 two days after the first collection until 02May2017. It was collected and two days later, the same issue on the highway. I do not feel safe drivIng the vehicle and it is now back at the dealership. Basically my thoughts are that after 90 000kms , the car is good for nothing. So much for German quality. Has anyone had a similar incident take place recently?
I have a 2013 VW Passat. I have only owned it for 3 months and during this time is has cut out twice. Both times I was travelling at about 100km/ hr and acclerating. This was very dangerous as I lost all power and the lights lit up the dash. The first time it occurred I pulled over and it re-started fine. The second time I was in the right hand lane of a dual carriage way. There was no where to pull over and traffic was thick so I placed the automatic in Neutral and restarted the car while rolling. It started fine and I accelerated back to 100km/hr. My speed did drop to about 70km/hr though and was very dangerous. This has not occurred since and I have returned to car to VW to investigate the issue. Hoping they can find the issue as otherwise I have been very happy.
Last September, I bought the car off motability I had been leasing for 5 years. It is a 1.6 TDI,which, until recently, I have had no problems with. The car has been to two garages, the most recent visit today & no fault was found. But, guess what? The car lost power about three times on the way home. So guess where I’m off to in the morning?
same thing has been happening for around 2 years now, i have a Golf 1.6 2003 . Its gradually got worse tho. originally it would just lose power & id have to pull over but it didnt actually turn off & wud regain power within seconds however its now got to the stage where it happens everytime i use the car & the car actually stops altogether. Its scary as the traffic behind you have no warning that you’re stopping as there are no brake lights on. Im a single mum with 3 kids & i darent go far anymore as i dont trust my car to get me there in one piece. A few times when the car has cut out completely everything on the car has reset itself as if ive disconnected the battery but luckily everytime this has happened the car has always restarted straight after. Its been to several garages & had various things done to try solve the problem, everytime ive drove it away with no epc lights on however i dont get far before its back on again. its on constantly now & has been for months but i cant afford to spend anymore money on it if it isnt going to fix it
We have a VW Golf Gti 2003 automatic.
Off and on for the last few years it would lose power completely but if you came off and on the accelerator it would recover.
Yesterday it died completely in a tunnel. Luckily I was able to coast through. There was a bit of a sequence: the power went and the car started slowing, then the battery warning light came on, then the power steering and brakes went.
Bad.
2010 EOS 1.4 TSI 160
Already replaced engine 3 times and today engine light, EPC light and engine failure warning went on with major power loss. Was on the highway at 120km/h. Turned off the car and back on and everything was ok.
Have been trying VW to give me a solution since 2011 but no luck, my EOS is still terribly unsafe and causing me major inconveniences and costs.
What kind of brand is this???
I bought VW Golf GTD MK5 and I come across same problem of deceleration and loss of power on motorway on the day when i bought the car ( second hand ) and i was scared as long trailer was behind me @ 60mph and i have bare the abusive look from the driver feels so embracing.
Hi
We have a VW Touran 2014 2.0 FSI automatic which we have owned for 6 years. Since January the car suddenly just loses power when on motorway. No indication to traffic following us as we aren’t braking or the like. The power is completely gone for 2 to 5 seconds – but feels much longer, and then suddenly it starts to respond and accelerates again. The first time it happened, it seemed to be related a small leak in our water levels – replaced water pipe and themostat but still the issue came back and had a terrible drive to get home with 3 kids in the car where it happen about 8 times – once the car stopped completely.
Then another water pipe was replaced as we were still having to top up water. Finally Catalytic converter was replaced. This has reduce the problem – but still the other day after a long drive and adding some revs to get up a hill, it happened again briefly. We are now looking to replace the car as we just can’t rely on it. VW should take some responsibility for what is happening. It is dangerous and possibly more lives could be lost.
Cheers
Hi,
Just had the same problem happen in our Tiguan, driving along and then all the sudden there is not power coming from the engine. The VW service center said they can not find the fault, its quite concerning and dangerous.
Cheers
I have a VW 2009 Tiguan with the same issue. I will be driving and hear a beep as the TPC light comes on and it loses power. It will slow down dramatically and down shift. There is no response from stepping on the gas. I pull over and shut the engine off. I start it up again and sometimes the TPC light goes off and it runs fine. But this problem has become more frequent. I have replace the gas pedal, egr valve the throttle body at an expensive cost. Please if anyone has any suggestions I would be eternally grateful. This seems to be a major issue and VW seems to avoid these issues and tell everyone that there is now problem with the car. This is to save money and avoid a costly recall. When will VW step up and fix this probles. It is happening with all their models. So the need to narrow down what components they have similar in all these cars. After the issue with the smog and the company needing to pay out millions I found that VW just doesn’t F”’n care about its clients and potential loss of life. When will the government step in and force them to fix the problem. All the best to you with similar problems. Drive safe.
We bought a VW Golf TSI in Nov 2017 (A demo model with 2,500 Km). Today my wife was driving our daughter to gymnastic class and as she was driving up the ramp to car park, our Golf lost all the power and start creeping backwards. It couldn’t simply go up. She had to brake hard, turn on and off the engine before she could finally drive up. Reading the frightening stories about this problem, I decided to drive to same location tonight (late at night while no cars are around) to test and simulate the same situation. I was shocked that It happened twice. Car does not simply go up! We have had no issue with our second car for last many years driving our kid to same gymnastics class (it is a normal uphill in North shore Sydney). As much as I love the car, I am feeling very scared now driving this car. Need some professional advice please?
Hi, i have a 2000 polo gti 6n2, the problem with the car is that on low rpm’s car engine quits.Starting up, it starts again. it is not the batery, it is not the fuel filther, it is not the gas regulator it is not the air filther, and it hasn’t even turned on the check engine at all. The car has driven over quarter a million km, anyone got the same problem ? or know what it is the problem ? posiible sollutions anyone ?
I have a 2011 VW Golf wagon, auto, 1.4ltr, up and back to Geelong yesterday, loss of power 7-8 times! Each time I some how managed to get to the emergency lane and turn off and on again to resume. Drove on the very inside lane thereon. Dash (engine) light comes on and off over the weeks. Only 80,000 ks. Can’t get rid of it soon enough and will never buy or recommend VW again.
I have a 2012 Tiguan that has had loss of power twice now in the last 4 months. Once at a roundabout and once pulling out of a drive. Both times were very frightening as cars were coming towards me and there was nothing I could do but sit there and hope that I wasn’t hit. Are there any professionals out there who know what it is and if VW are interested in knowing about it?
I have a second hand 2012 VW Polo GTI with an automatic gearbox. Today my car left me hanging about four times in 5 km. It completely loses power even when I accelerate. Taking it in to Volkswagen dealer tomorrow. Think I’m going to get rid of it which is sad because I love my car, I’ve always loved VW but they are costing me too much money, and I have to pay with money I do not have. So disappointed.
My son has vw polo twist 1.4 automatic. Over last
3 weeks been in garage with loss of power and engine management light coming on. Garage has changed crank shaft sensor and cam sensor. Its going back tonight as it went into limp mode down to 30mph. He doesnt feel safe driving it now as it is so unpredictable. Any ideas??
So I have a 2014 golf R mk 7 and up until today it has been a fantastic car.
Today driving along at 80km an hour I was approaching a hill and needed to put my foot on the gas to accelerate, I have a DSG and it was in auto mode and there was absolutely no response the car started slowing. No warning lights came up nothing. Straight away I indicated left as there was a bit of road on the side. Stopped the car. Turned it off for 10 seconds and then restarted and the problem had gone away. But that was really unnerving to have zero acceleration available when I needed it. And obviously something with the electrics if I can stop and restart and the problem goes away
Driving a 2017 Tiguan automatic (purchased in September 2017) along a freeway at 80 kms when it suddenly lost power! Very frightening. No warning lights. Recently had its first service. Tow truck driver had to winch it onto the truck as it would not accelerate.
Audi A4 2015 s line.
Gearbox has, on multiple occasions, been stuck in first after driving up a steep incline.Had to use manual mode to change.
Now, after rear wheel briefly lost traction, on wet tram tram track in sloooow Melbourne commute, engine suddenly lost all power and needed to be towed.
Still waiting to find out the cause!
Hi, I own a Golf 5 TSI, It sometimes loses power even though I press the accelerator. It just decelerates. Please hel, how can i solve the problem? The performance, especially uphill is very poor.
Am experiencing that power loss now on my Polo GTI TSI DSG 1.4 2013 model once it reach 60km/h and I wana press more please help
Holy crap Batman. All this time I thought I Riddler and the Joker was playing games with my mind.
“Riddle me this riddle, me that. Who bought a piece of crap. It goes fast then it goes all so slow. Can you work it out, you will never know”.
Finally Batman has solved the riddle. Its a f#$%n Volkswagen.
Why this issue hasnt been addressed by VW and the consumer watchdog is beyond me. Someone has already dies. There has been many near collisions. A multitude of people have experienced near death situations.
The pathetic Governemnt of Australia is worried about mobile phone usage in cars. What a joke. Isnt a unexpected loss of power in a car just as dangerous if not worse than talking on a phone.
HOLLY CRAP Batman. I would love to pull my finger out of your and my ass for a second so I dont shit myself everytime I get into my 2011 golf TSI. Maybe I am better of sending txt messages whilst driving cause if I die in a car whilst txting then at least I wont know whats killing me from behind or ‘”T” boning me in an intersection. At least with txt messaging I know Im chatting to someone I love when I die. I dont love my VW that much.
Wake up to yourselves pathetic pencil pushing burocrats. Stop going to work and being paid for sitting on your hands and arses all day. Do something constructive and recall all these defective new cars off the roads. I would love a well paid job where I do nothing all day, get promoted cause I turned up for a few days or because I know someone, receive regular pay increases cause I attended class. Wake up only for coffee breaks and go on extended lunch and smoko breaks. Must be a hard life for you and yet most of you go off on stress leave and file for unfair treatmen in the work place. All to claim compensation. From the top rank right to the bottom AO3. Your all a joke. Only AO2 are awake to make you your coffees. I guess you must all drive VW’s cause you all have apply for stress leave. Have some compassion. We drive VW’s too you know. What about our stress levels and our smelly brown fingers.
Batman can only protect us from crime. NOT Hitlers revenge.
Riddle me this and riddle me that.
HOW DO I GET RID OF THIS PIECE OF CRAP.
On a serious not. This brand car is very dangerous to have. After a full engine rebuild at 40 thou and a DSG replacement soon there after only to have this happen at approx 50 thou. Thats disgusting and VW doesnt want to now about it. Why would anyone buy crap like this. Give me the old Holden Kingswood anyday. In its hayday reliability at an afordable price. NOT technology for the rich and stupid. Imagine these cars flying in the air. What happens when they stall or fail.
Clench that ass really tight Batman. Here we go again. PMSL.
I solved the problem! by pass flap jams and turbo pressure insufficient. I went to the turbo repair service and lathe service we have a new valve. everything is okay right now.
hi mate, i have a polo 6n1 1.0 8v, yesterday i was dropping my brother to the airport which is on a hill, i was strugling to accelarate. On flat roads i do 1st to 3rd on 100km/h but reaching the hill the car starting to desaccelate 120km/h to 40km/h, no matter i do, foot on the gas, changing gears, it’s the same things, please helps…
hi mate, i have a polo 6n1 1.0 8v, yesterday i was dropping my brother to the airport which is on a hill, i was strugling to accelarate. On flat roads i do 1st to 3rd on 100km/h but reaching the hill the car starting to desaccelate 120km/h to 40km/h, no matter i do, foot on the gas, changing gears, it’s the same things, please helps…
My 4 month old Volkswagen Polo has lost power at roundabout turned off and started it again and it lost power every time I slowed down Recovered by Volkswagen they checked it on Friday 13 th and said it had slight diesel in it%I have never put diesel in it and have my petrol bill to prove it .Can u help me
hi, i have a 97 model polo classic 1.4 i. white smoke comes out of exhaust. it idles for a bit then switches off. the car is also over fueling. a friend of mine said that it might the the TPS
switch that is located on the throttle body. dont know if that could be the problem. please advise. thanks
I have owned a 2004 VW Golf 2.0L for 7 years. Twice in those 7 years I have experienced sudden total power loss while travelling at 100kph on the highway in heavy traffic. The EPC light came on and it was only good luck that I could pull off the road safely. After turning the engine off it immediately restarted and drove with no problems. This is an incredibly dangerous fault and I will no longer drive the car on the highway. It is worth noting the engine light has been on every day I have driven the car for the past 80000kms. It is possibly the nox sensor which has not affected the drive ability of the car. Two mechanics have run the car on computer to check for faults which include nox sensor, fuel pump and one other, all of which could potentially cause the car to enter safe mode apparently. However neither mechanic could tell me what was the cause and it would be a case of repair each one and hope for the best which would be many thousands of dollars. This still would not guarantee a fix so I think I am going to send the car to the wreckers. Simply too risky to have another power loss on the highway
Just to clarify my comments above – even though I have driven my Golf with engine light on for years this is not a good idea! I always had the car serviced, the mechanic would clear the faults and the engine light would be off briefly before coming back on. If your engine light comes on, get your car checked by a mechanic as it could be something serious. Clearly there is something wrong with my engine and it probably has contributed to the sudden power loss episodes I have experienced. Get it fixed, don’t wait
I’m driving a 2011 polo 6 GTI which also has similar problems as I’ve tried a full service and changed fuel pressure valve and fuel pressure pump,but when I accelerate it cuts and flashes engine light then EPC.
My golf mk5 1.6 fsi has been badly dealing with me,the car completely lose power with weird noise while accelerating to pull the car forward… Its annoying buy this car,infact I will never make any attempt to buy Volkswagen cars again in my life.
Same problem with a 2002 golf mk4 1,6 manual, I had more than 15 times total power loss without apparent reason, many of them going 100km plus, very dangerous. The car doesn’t always start afterwards. Last time I was driving in the city, car stutters, revs drop to zero for some seconds, oil alert and epc turns on but the engine did NOT turn off this time. Strange. Pulled over, turned off engine, checked oil, was fine. Oil alert turned off, epc stayed on till next day, now all normal. I believe it is some design issue with the electronic system of these cars. I miss my Toyota…
I have a 2005 Golf 6 speed Man. I have replaced the high pressure pump, the in tank fuel pump assembly and the fuel pump control module about $2000 worth of repairs on top of a full service. Driving along and the car looses all power for about 3 seconds then goes again. No lights on the dash. No codes stored in the ECU. Today we nearly got hit by a bus because of this issue. Can anyone help?