Amarok Power Loss: Throttle Issues & Rough Idle Fix

Had a similar issue with my 2013 VW Transporter last year. The symptoms match exactly what you described, engine power dropping and unstable engine idling. Given my moderate experience with car repairs, I initially thought it was just a dirty throttle body. The response delay when pressing the accelerator got worse over time and the vehicle eventually went into limp mode. Took it to a workshop where they diagnosed a faulty accelerator pedal module. The replacement cost came to 265€ including labor. Since the fix, fuel efficiency returned to normal and the throttle response is crisp again. Before jumping to conclusions though, what engine size does your Amarok have? Also, are you getting any specific error codes? This would help narrow down if its the same issue, as these symptoms can have multiple causes like throttle sensor issues or wiring problems. The electronics inside the pedal module tend to fail on these models, but its best to get a proper diagnosis first. If you notice the problem gets worse in wet weather, thats often a telling sign its the pedal module rather than the throttle body itself. Let me know the engine details and any codes youre getting, and I can share more specific information about what to look out for.

Most recent service was at 127000km so fairly recent. A fellow forum member suggested checking the air intake system and throttle body for carbon buildup, which made me inspect those components. Found significant carbon deposits around the throttle plate. The check engine code reader shows P0121, throttle sensor circuit range/performance problem. This matches the symptoms others described. Based on these responses, I will get the throttle body professionally cleaned first before considering a full replacement. The quoted service cost is 180€ which seems reasonable compared to 400€+ for a new throttle body. Thanks for sharing your experience with the pedal module issue. Will keep that in mind if cleaning doesnt resolve the reduced power and erratic idle.

Thanks for the update and those details. The P0121 code definitely points more toward the throttle body being the culprit rather than the pedal module issue I had. Carbon buildup causing throttle sensor problems is quite common on these VW engines after 100000km. Just a heads up from my experience, while cleaning helped temporarily on my Transporter, I eventually needed a full throttle body replacement as the sensor itself was failing. The carbon deposits were affecting proper air flow and sensor readings. If cleaning doesnt fully restore normal engine idling and power, you might need to budget for replacement. The 180€ cleaning service is a good starting point though. Much better to try that before spending on a new unit. When I finally did the full replacement, it cost around 450€ with labor. The improved throttle response and stable idle made it worth it, plus fuel efficiency got noticeably better. Keep monitoring the check engine light after cleaning. If it returns quickly along with the power issues, thats usually a sign the throttle sensor itself is failing rather than just being dirty.

Thanks for the input. Quick update after getting the throttle body cleaned yesterday, there's definitely improvement but not a complete fix. The check engine light came back on after about 50km of driving and the response delay is starting to return, though not as bad as before. Given what you've shared about the sensor potentially failing, I think I'll have to bite the bullet and go for the full throttle body replacement. The current air flow issues and unstable idle are affecting fuel efficiency too much to ignore. Will schedule the replacement next week, hoping the 400€ quote I got is accurate. At least the cleaning confirmed there was a real issue with carbon buildup, so it wasn't wasted money. Good to know this is a common problem on these engines. Thanks for helping me understand the symptoms and likely causes before spending the bigger money on repairs.