VW Engine Jerks During Acceleration, Misfire Alert

Recently dealt with similar symptoms in my 2012 VW Golf GTI. The rough running and jerking during acceleration pointed to multiple potential issues, but diagnostic testing revealed a faulty oxygen sensor combined with a small exhaust leak near the manifold. The oxygen sensor was unable to properly monitor the air-fuel mixture, causing the engine management system to run rich. This triggered the check engine light and created the jerking sensation during acceleration. The exhaust leak was making the oxygen sensor readings even more inaccurate. The repair involved: Replacing the oxygen sensor, Fixing the exhaust leak by replacing a cracked section, Performing a full diagnostic scan to ensure no other systems were affected This was a serious issue that needed immediate attention, as continuing to drive with these problems could have damaged the catalytic converter and led to increased fuel consumption. Your symptoms match almost exactly what I experienced. Would strongly recommend having a professional check both the oxygen sensor and exhaust system. These issues typically get worse over time and can cause additional damage if left unrepaired. Given the age and mileage of your Spacefox, its worth also having them inspect the ignition coils and fuel pump while theyre at it, as these components often need attention around this service interval.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the GTI. The symptoms you described match my situation perfectly. My Spacefox is actually at the shop right now getting checked out. Good call on the oxygen sensor, would you remember roughly how much you paid for the full repair? Also curious if youve had any similar issues pop up since the fix? The mechanic mentioned something about my fuel injectors possibly needing cleaning too, which made me a bit nervous about potential extra costs down the line.

Just got my GTI back from the recent repair and happy to report the uneven engine running is completely resolved. The total came to 265€ for fixing the exhaust leak, which was causing most of the issues. The oxygen sensor readings are now perfect according to the diagnostic scan they ran. My previous repairs included fuel injector cleaning which helped optimize performance, but the core issue was definitely the exhaust leak affecting sensor readings. Since fixing these problems, the car runs smoothly with no jerking or rough acceleration. The fuel injectors cleaning is worth considering as preventive maintenance, but I would focus on addressing the immediate exhaust and sensor concerns first. A failing oxygen sensor can mask other issues, so its best to get that sorted before evaluating if the injectors really need attention. Its been about 3 months since the repair and no warning lights or performance issues have returned. The engine response is crisp and fuel economy has noticeably improved.

Thanks for the helpful advice. Just got my car back from the shop today and wanted to share what happened. Turns out it was indeed the oxygen sensor causing the rough idle, plus they found a cracked ignition coil that needed replacement. The repair bill came to 320€ total, including: New oxygen sensor, Replacement ignition coil, Diagnostic testing, Labor costs The mechanic I found was great, really took time to explain everything and even showed me the old parts. Big difference from my last repair experience. Car runs perfectly smooth now, no more jerking during acceleration. They did recommend a fuel injector cleaning service in the next 6 months, but said it wasnt urgent. Will probably get that done during the next scheduled maintenance. Really glad I got this fixed quickly before it could cause more damage. The fuel economy is already noticeably better, and the engine runs much quieter.