Car not accelerating properly while pressing gas

60

Asked by bnstates Dec 16, 2015 at 09:39 AM about the 2004 Volkswagen Passat

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Let me start by saying that the only change between when my car was working fine and the problem at hand is that my car got an oil change and a change of spark plugs. This was done last Thursday. I don't know much about cars, so i don't know if that has any impact, but might as well share any info I can. The first time I experienced the issue was Sunday. I pulled out of my driveway and started driving down my road, and halfway down my road I noticed that my car wasn't accelerating while I was pressing the gas pedal. This lasted for about 5 seconds max, then my car had a little kick and jumped right back to normal. That was it for the problem until today, 3 days later when I was driving through town on my way home and the same issue started occuring, although this time it lasted a bit longer. I came to a stop at a traffic light and my car stalled. I restarted it and didn't have much of an issue the rest of the way home.

30 Answers

144,795

Have you replaced your fuel filter lately?

14 people found this helpful.
60

Yeah, I actually replaced it about a week or so before the oil change.

6 people found this helpful.
144,795

If you changed external fuel filter,it may be the sock filter in tank that may be stopped up from trash.

11 people found this helpful.
375

I don't know if you have a check engine light? I have a 1999 Passat and was having the same issue and it progressively got worse until one day driving through town it starting running really rough and not accelerating the check engine light started flashing and then went back to normal. Got home ran codes and it pulled a misfire code. Turned out my ICM (ignition control module) was dying a slow death getting worse and worse. Replaced it and car has ran great sense I guess it's a common issue with these. That might help if your still experiencing the problem.

28 people found this helpful.
230

Can you provide an estimate of how much you paid for the ICM?

23 people found this helpful.
100

Agreed how munch would that cost in round figures ??????????????

10 people found this helpful.
70

Smh I just got an oil change and my car is doing the same exact thing now

7 people found this helpful.
230

My 2004, 1.8T was loosing power. Had a bunch of codes, from misfire, turbo, to catalyc converter. Replaced the turbo charger (it was bad) and still no power. Flashing engine light at 3000rpm.

23 people found this helpful.
230

My 2002 1.8T turbo won’t even engage and I don’t know why. Coil spring or something from what I was told by the previous owner. I wouldn’t know. I have a similar problem as posted but it doesn’t come back to normal. It’s just really slow at acceleration. Looking for answers

23 people found this helpful.
290

My car is a polo blue motion still new when I press gas instead of accelerating it reduce speed to 60km /h no matter how I press hard it lacks power so I don't know what the cause pls help

29 people found this helpful.
120

I had this problem last week, service dealer check the DTC and found EVAC isn’t working probably, problem solved after replacing this part, This part responsible for taking out the air from thr gas tank.

8 people found this helpful.
160

Check your COIL PACKS FIRST. I HAVE A 2004 VW PASSAT 1.8T AND IT FIXED IT 100% 40 BUCKS AT ADVANCE AUTO PARTS

16 people found this helpful.
300

I'd push the gas peddle and the rpm would go up but the car wouldn't move. So they thought it was the transmission fluid(no) then they thought it was the transmission module(no) So I went and replaced the whole transmission. it was fine for a week, and it starting up again. I need idea's. I've only owned the car a yr. its a 2009 cc vw

30 people found this helpful.
100

I have a 2008 VW Golf, 2.0L , automatic transmission....have had many problems like listed above, and ended being bad harness in the car. had to change main computer plus transmission computer located under windshield.....if you can...get rid of the car...it will never be the same again! here are things that happened in 2 months time : no power up the hill, airbag light randomly on and off...ECM and check engine off/on randomly...all kid of codes (missfire, running lean, temperature sensor failure, transmission ECM failure, and may more codes.....i have changed.....plugs, wires, fuel filter, all sensors, air filter, VW oil, coolant flush, vacuum lines, intake gasket, valve cover gasket....and after all of it i did the same thing.....I changed the harness....and now there is no issues.

10 people found this helpful.
220

I have a question, I have a 2006 Volkswagen Passst, it stalled on my daughter. We actually thought it was out of gas well we put a couple of gallons in in started up I drove to the gas station and filled it up I tried to leaves the station it would start. I tried again and it started but only to stop again and again. Whenever it start and I push the gas pedal the RPM decreases and the car cuts odd

22 people found this helpful.
180

I have a 2006 passat when driving it has a kick back..what do that means

14 people found this helpful.
110

A possible solution to many "sudden " gear changing and acceleration problems is electrics/computer issues. Examples are lightbulb failures or replacement with incorrect rating.bulbs. sounds too simple I know!

11 people found this helpful.
40

I have Passat 1.8t it's having a problem with a loss Power when I changed the gear it doesn't pick up fast but on gear 5 when it's on speed starting loss power but it doesn't show any lights please help

4 people found this helpful.
70

So going through the same issue. My Passat initially stalled out at a stop light. Then two weeks later it would have a weak start and go to the point where it wouldn’t start. Mechanic ran initial testing and was reading the battery as bad, but it was also 6 years old. So replaced it. The readings were still off so he replaced a $80 fuse. I know it sounds like I got ripped off but it wasn’t your normal fuse. It had something to do with alternator and battery. So I thought problem was solved. I think that ran me $280 for parts and labor. Then my car engine light came on and was showing a map sensor issue. P0106 so they cleaned out the MAP sensor and something to the left of it. Basically oil was getting in there. They also had to do something electronic. So I thought I would be good but I think that only fixed the symptoms, not the issue. This video shows to just change out the valve cover gasket but the mechanic wants to change out the entire valve cover. That quote is $400 with the spark plugs replaced as well. I said I’d hold off on it but my car stalled again. I took it to the same mechanic. I told him my light had come on once or twice but I ignored it. So when that happened a different code popped up. I don’t remember which but to remove the code the throttle body has to be replaced. That’s another $400 job because the electronics have to be reprogrammed. So I’m looking at a $800 fix. Oh and today as I was driving my car on the freeway it wouldn’t accelerate for a couple seconds. He told me that was something to look out for if the throttle body needed to get replaced.

7 people found this helpful.
70

So after having the same slugish acceleration issue after oil change and filter...i found the issue in my car ..its a 2007 passat fsi...in the plastic cover of the motor there is a sensor for air temp..the harness connector one of the wires was bad contacted..so the air volume calculated by the control unit was not good...after i connected the wires and the air hose into the plastic cover ...all went smooth again

6 people found this helpful.
60

Replace the petrol pump had the same problem with my mk4 for a while now and I almost bought everything from the cam sensor,coil,MAF sensor to plugs while the problem only lied with the pump

3 people found this helpful.
30

I need help. I have a 2006 Jetta 2.0 turbo have the acceleration problem. I've changed my diverter, turbocharger boost senor,mat senor and even my throttle body, coil packs and spark plugs and still have the same problem. Can anyone help me with this issues would be appreciated.

3 people found this helpful.
60

Joseg210 try replacing your petrol pump might be the issue.....

3 people found this helpful.
30

GuruS7L5S - I have a Passat 2009 with the same symptoms. 1. in July 2018. The EPC light came on, and there was a sudden loss of acceleration power.. .I was able to accelerate again by taking my foot off the accelerator and progressively accelerating to 40 KM/H, then taking my foot off the pedal and accelerating again past 40 KM/H to 60 KM/H and then repeating the same action. This would be similar to driving a shift stick car with a clutch. After 5 minutes, I parked my car, stopped the engine. Once I restarted the engine the EPC was gone. 2. July - a week later. After 100 Km, the EPC light AND the Engine both came on. Again loss of acceleration power but this time not necessarily at 40 KM/H. *The cruise control is no longer working as well.* There is some randomness in this issue I was always able to get to a normal speed after stopping the car and switching it off and on. 3. There is no discernable pattern for the loss of power as it can happen at any speed. 4. I experienced one episode where I had total loss of power while driving. The throttle body and all cabling were replaced, the ECM module was replaced. But all that did nothing to solve the problem. Finally when the fuel pump control module was replaced following the safety recall (20AE) the problem went away. It is difficult to narrow down exactly which specific change solved the issue but what I've observed is that it works after they changed that module. I would love to know if anyone else was able to fix it by having that fuel pump module replaced.

3 people found this helpful.
20

I have a 2002 Volkswagen Passat and I'm also having a severe acceleration problem. There was a hole in my transmission oil pan and all the oil leaked out. So I spent about $800 dollars to get the pan and the oil replaced. Since then my car will not accelerate properly. If I stomp my foot on the gas pedal it'll only go about 2 m.p.h until it will eventually catch up to speed (takes about 15-20seconds). Any helpful insight on what could be happening? At this point I'm considering junking the car.

2 people found this helpful.
10

I have a 2011 Volkswagen CC and it has been having this specific problem. When I accelerate the rpm goes up but my car doesn’t accelerate. My mechanic tried restarting the adaptive transmission setting but no luck. I’m going back to see if it may be the spark plugs that need changing but if it isn’t that I don’t know what it can possibly be. No check engine light is on and the car runs smooth besides the fact of the car not accelerating every once in a while. God forbid it happens while on the highway. Any ideas?

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Passat

Looking for a Used Passat in your area?

CarGurus has 4,060 nationwide Passat listings starting at $1,000.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2004 Volkswagen Passat

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Deathjam4
    Reputation
    4,470
  • #2
    Chrisand Edwards
    Reputation
    2,660
  • #3
    tenspeed
    Reputation
    2,420
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Volkswagen Jetta
698 Great Deals out of 13,639 listings starting at $1,100
Used Honda Accord
1,522 Great Deals out of 30,102 listings starting at $1,200
Used Toyota Camry
2,124 Great Deals out of 43,929 listings starting at $1,150
Used Honda Civic
1,297 Great Deals out of 26,038 listings starting at $997
Used Nissan Altima
1,528 Great Deals out of 36,229 listings starting at $995
Used Volkswagen Jetta GLI
56 Great Deals out of 1,764 listings starting at $5,595
Used Chevrolet Malibu
1,044 Great Deals out of 24,268 listings starting at $1,500
Used Audi A4
337 Great Deals out of 4,185 listings starting at $1,495
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee
2,319 Great Deals out of 50,257 listings starting at $1,796
Used Volkswagen Golf
81 Great Deals out of 865 listings starting at $3,376
Used Audi A6
214 Great Deals out of 3,233 listings starting at $1,999

Used Cars for Sale

2022 Volkswagen Passat For Sale
30 Great Deals out of 324 listings starting at $13,990
2021 Volkswagen Passat For Sale
38 Great Deals out of 459 listings starting at $9,999
2020 Volkswagen Passat For Sale
18 Great Deals out of 315 listings starting at $7,998
2019 Volkswagen Passat For Sale
11 Great Deals out of 104 listings starting at $8,499
2018 Volkswagen Passat For Sale
31 Great Deals out of 401 listings starting at $5,500

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.