Speed Control Springs problems of the 1999 Volkswagen Passat

Winter 2008-2009 had several times when car would accelerate on it's own. Brakes did not help. Only way to stop is to apply brakes with both feet and slow down enough to pull over and put in neutral, which makes tac go over 7000 rpm's. Had throttle body cleaned and reset in spring of 2009 but problem recurred again this year. On Monday, Feb. 8, 2010 temperature was in low teens. Warmed car for approx. 7 min. Drove slowly due to bad road conditions and at approx. 3 miles into drive car started accelerating again on its own and no place to pull off. Had to stop in extremely dangerous position and pray I wasn't hit before I could safely start car again. Finally able to restart engine after approx. 5 min. Without revving problem but approx. 2 miles later car again accelerated on it's own. Took to dealer and they did a general diagnosis which showed nothing. This is an extremely dangerous situation and makes me extremely nervous to drive my car. Vw of America states that my car was not in any recall and they are unaware of any problem with my car and could not divulge if they received any other complaints.

While under full throttle, accelerator pedal did not "spring" back after releasing pressure and vehicle continued to accelerate at full throttle until I reached down and pulled accelerator pedal back. First time happened when accelerating from stop light; second time, when merging onto freeway. Both times I was able to free pedal and resume normal driving. Both times I applied the brakes, and this did not help matters, as vehicle continued to accelerate at full throttle. Carpet was not the culprit as it was firmly secured, using factory installed "snaps. " dealer had car all day Monday and was in contact with vw of America. Unable to find anything wrong; everything "normal. " vw claimed to never have heard of this problem before. Still awaiting additional action from vw. I am gravely concerned as dealer told me to drive until problem happens again. This is not an option!! if my wife was driving she would not be able to reach down and release pedal as I did. Only option would be to turn off igition and then she would lose power steering and brakes.