VW Transporter Power Loss and Limp Mode During Acceleration

Had identical symptoms on a 2015 VW Tiguan TSI. The throttle sensor was failing, causing inconsistent response delay during acceleration. The check engine light came on intermittently and engine idling became rough. The throttle body needed complete replacement as the electronic control unit inside was defective. The symptoms started with minor hesitation, then progressed to significant power loss and eventually triggered limp mode during highway merging. This was a serious issue requiring specialized diagnostic equipment. The throttle body assembly houses critical electronics that manage air intake. When it fails, the engine management system cannot properly regulate fuel mixture. The repair involved: Full diagnostic scan, Throttle body replacement, ECU adaptation procedure, Test driving to confirm proper operation After repair, throttle response returned to normal and the limp mode issue was fully resolved. Would recommend getting it checked soon, as continuing to drive with these symptoms could potentially cause additional engine management problems.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Indeed, it seems quite similar to what I am experiencing now. The check engine light and power loss match exactly what is happening with my VW. Before taking it to the shop, could you recall the approximate replacement cost for the throttle body and sensor repair? Also curious if you had any air flow or throttle response issues since the fix was done. It would help me to budget for this repair and know what to expect long term. My vehicle is still relatively new so hoping this is just an isolated electronic issue rather than something more serious with the engine management system.

Thanks for asking about the follow-up. The repair went smoothly, but it turned out the issue was actually with the accelerator pedal module rather than the throttle body initially suspected. The total cost was 265€ for the complete fix, including the new electronics and programming. Since the repair, the throttle response has been perfect with no engine idling issues or power loss. The air intake system is working as intended, and the check engine light has stayed off. This confirms it was purely an electronic fault in the pedal sensor assembly, not a deeper engine management problem. The repair shop correctly diagnosed it using their diagnostic equipment, and the symptoms completely disappeared after the fix. No issues with limp mode or hesitation during acceleration in the months since. The throttle sensor now provides consistent readings, which has restored the smooth power delivery the car should have. For your budget planning, while my repair ended up being the pedal module, its worth having them check both the throttle body and pedal electronics since the symptoms can be very similar. The diagnostic scan will pinpoint exactly which component is causing the trouble.

I took my VW to a certified shop last week after reading these helpful responses. The mechanic confirmed it was indeed the throttle body causing the issues. Not as expensive as I feared, total repair came to 450€ including parts and labor. The fuel efficiency has improved noticeably since the fix. They replaced the entire throttle body assembly and recalibrated the air intake system. The technician showed me the old unit which had visible corrosion on the electrical contacts. No more limp mode incidents or power loss during acceleration. The engine runs smoothly now and the check engine light has stayed off. Really glad I got this addressed quickly before it could cause additional problems. The shop also did a full diagnostic scan to confirm no other issues were present. Would definitely recommend getting these symptoms checked out promptly. The repair was straightforward once properly diagnosed and the improvement in performance was immediate.