general problems of the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta

The vw vehicle is programmed to cripple the engine performance and speed in case of an epc fault. Any fault causing a rich or lean condition will cause this "limp mode". This is a safety issue especially people on the highway going 65-75mph and a 80,000 pound tractor trailer behind them as one person experienced. There are too many non-vital component failures to list that can cause this fault. I refer to non-vital meaning the component failure will not harm the driver of the car. The fault light indication isn't enough? now they have the right to force you into a repair shop and buy more vw parts. I feel that this is a money making scam endangering our lives. We do not put a halt on this now- soon any fault will cripple our cars. It's not just vw (Hyundai did a similar "limp mode").

While driving on rt. 495 near exit 19, I took my foot off the accelerator and I felt my speed continue to increase. I stepped on the brake and my speed continued to increase. I downshifted and when I let the clutch out we really took off. Depressing the brake had no effect. With the clutch depressed, managed to pull on to the shoulder and stopped. As I reached for the key, the engine shuddered and died. I was unable to restart the car and had to be towed. The result of this incident was that the engine self-destructed and had to be replaced. There were no trouble codes in the ecm and the tps showed no defects when tested.

I was driving my 1999 vw Jetta at highway speeds, and it suddenly began to accelerate. I shifted the car into neutral, and the engine continued to rev to the redline. I then tapped the gas pedal and the throttle released. My wife had the same problem on a side road. The car began to accelerate, and she applied the brakes but could not stop the car. She turned the ignition off and was able to stop safely using the emergency brake.

When I shift from reverse to drive there is a 2 second delay and at times I can still be rolling back an additional 2-3 ft. Also my vehicle will accelerate w/o me touching the gas. I have to hit the brakes and at times this will not work. I was involved in an accident when I braked and my jette accelerated into the back of another vehicle. Please help.

At first start vehicle accelerated on it's own. Consumer does not recall if gear was still in park or in drive. Consumer applied brake hard and shifted to neutral. Vehicle at dealership at this time.

Car accelerated from 5 mph until hit the car in front. Brake didn't work. This happened once before. Dealer insulted driver instead of a followup.

When shifting gear into reverse and stepped on brakes to stop vehicle , and then put it in drive, vehicle roared up, and there was a delay in shifting from reverse into drive. Dealership was notified by consumer. When gear was shifted from reverse to drive, the vehicle rolls back about 2 feet before moving forward. The consumer's internet research result indicated that other consumers of this make of vehicle had the same problem.

Beginning to brake at red light, engine accelerated to redline. Brakes would not hold car. Had to place car in neutral to avoid collision. Turned off ignition to stop high rpm.

Oil light came on 2000 miles after oilchange/burning or leaking excessive oil,and oil level low. Passenger's window motor stopped working, resulting in window falling down,. Also, engine revved high/ light switch on interior light fell off/ front right michelin tire blewout, and had to replace battery. Dealer kept repairing problems. Consumer contacted vw CO, and was told they would get back to her, but never did. Consumer felt vehicle was a lemon. Please add additional information.

Vehicle burns oil (doing so for 9 mos now), dealer has been running "test" on car for 4 mos. Said may have to replace engine. Air bag light on first day owning, told to wait 2wks for an appt at which was told car unsafe to drive. Transmission difficult to shift/acceleration (making turns, entering highways, etc. ).

When pulling into a parking lot vehicle would not stop even though driver pushed brake pedal to floor. Vehicle accelerated uphill, crashing into a telephone pole. Vehicle was totalled.

While driving t vehicle will accelerate to high speeds upon release of the brakes. Dealer has been contacted.

While driving vehicle stalled unexpectedly and then engine revved.

No summary.

Speedometer needle doesn't not read the correct speed that vehicle is traveling. The dealership knows that a problem exists, but doesn't know what is causing it.