2001 Volkswagen Jetta
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 677 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 41 involved a crash and 12 involved a fire. 51 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 7, 2014
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
Campaign 14E007000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchFeb 20, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 07V063000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchMay 24, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.
THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 06V183000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, hazard flashing warning lights, switchDec 16, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HAZARD SWITCH AND FLASHER SYSTEM FUNCTION MAY DEGRADE OVER TIME BECAUSE OF DISTORTION AND MATERIAL TRANSFER OF THE CONTACTS OF CERTAIN HAZARD SWITCH RELAYS WHICH OCCURS DUE TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED ELECTRICAL CURRENT LOAD FROM HIGHER WATTAGE TURN SIGNAL BULBS.
THIS MAY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER FUNCTION.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 04V584000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchFeb 20, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.
THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY 06V-183. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD A REMEDY PERFORMED UNDER THIS RECALL SHOULD RETURN TO THEIR DEALER FOR THE REDESIGNED REMEDY. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 04V096000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, owners/service/other manualSep 12, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGES INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE'S REAR SEATS MUST BE IDENTIFIED BY MARKINGS, AND THEIR LOCATION AND USE BE DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.
THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT MARKED OR DESCRIBED AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND ALSO ONE SET OF FOUR GUIDANCE FIXTURES INTENDED TO USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHILD SEATS EQUIPPED WITH RIGID OR SEMI-RIGID LOWER ANCHORAGE ATTACHMENTS. ALSO ENCLOSED WILL BE FOUR DECALS TOGETHER WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND A TEMPLATE FOR ATTACHING THE DECALS TO THE LOWER SEAT BACKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 15, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 02V244000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipJan 31, 2002
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).
THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 02V031000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
119 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jan 3, 2003
ELECTRICAL IGNITION COIL FAILED WHILE TRAVELING IN A REMOTE AREA. TS
Electrical system, Dec 30, 2002
I OWN A 2001 JETTA 1.8T WOLFSBURG. THE CAR HAD A COIL PACK FAILURE ON NOVEMBER 28, 2002 AND AGAIN ON DECEMBER 30, 2002.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Dec 27, 2002
I HAD A COIL PACK BURN OUT ON MY 2001 VW JETTA - IT HAS 21000 MILES. IT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM AND MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS FAILURE. VW (AND AUDI) WILL ONLY REPLACE COILS WHEN THEY INDIVIDUALLY BURN OUT. VW/AUDI SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE ALL COILS EITHER AT THE TIME OF BURN OUT OR BEFORE IT BECOMES AN ISSUE. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SUGGEST THAT THE COILS ARE EITHER DEFECTIVE OR THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE IS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS EVEN IF THE VEHICLES WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. TS
Electrical system, Dec 23, 2002
WHILE DRIVING IGNITION COIL FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO BREAK DOWN CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. MANUFACTURER IS AWARE THAT COILS ARE DEFECTIVE BUT WILL NOT REPLACE UNTIL COMPONENT FAILS. TS
Electrical system, Dec 18, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. CAUSING THE COIL PACK TO LEAK OIL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Electrical system, Dec 18, 2002
NUMBER (4) COILPACK ON MY 2001 VW JETTA WOLFSBURG WENT BAD AND THE CAR WAS RENDERED UNDRIVABLE UNTIL I USED ANOTHER FORM OF TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO A NEARBY DEALER TO BUY A REPLACEMENT
Electrical system, Dec 18, 2002
IGNITION COIL FAILURES ON MY 2001 JETTA GLS 1.8T. 3 COILS FAILED LEADING TO A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION WHERE I COULD NOT ACCELERATE OUT OF A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. VW CHANGED ONLY 3 COILS, SAYING THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION COILS, BUT WILL NOT CHANGE A PART UNLESS IT FAILS. THE 4TH COIL FAILED YESTERDAY, 12/17/02 AND VW IS OUT OF COILS NATIONWIDE. I SPEND QUITE A BIT OF TIME ON MANY VW AND AUDI CAR OWNER WEB-BOARDS AND THE PROBLEM IS RUNNING RAMPANT. CHECK WWW.VWVORTEX.COM, WWW.AUDIFORUMS.COM TO NAME A FEW, THEN DO A WEB-SEARCH IN ARCHIVED ITEMS IN THE AUDI FORUM OR SPECIFIC CHAT ROOMS IN THE VW FORUM. THIS PROBLEM WILL COSTS LIVES IF IT IS NOT ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY.
Electrical system, Dec 17, 2002
THE NUMBER OF MISFIRES AND FAILED COILPACK'S ON MY '01 VW JETTA 1.8T IS RIDICULOUS. I KNOW OF SEVERAL PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING. WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY IS WAS IN THE SHOP AT LEAST 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME MISFIRE PROBLEM AND NOW THAT I'M OUT OF WARRANTY THE PROBLEM IS STILL VERY PERSISTENT. VW NEEDS TO OFFICIALLY RECALL THESE COIL PACKS WITH SOMETHING THAT WORKS PROPERLY. THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO AFFECT MY ABILITY TO PASS MY STATE EMISSIONS TESTING AND SERIOUSLY EFFECTS MY DRIVEABILITY AND RELIABILITY.. VIN # [XXX]... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Dec 12, 2002
VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS---770753. *AK *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Visibility, Dec 4, 2002
NO SUMMARY. DT
Electrical system, Nov 13, 2002
THE CEHCK ENGING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A FAULTY IGNITION COIL. TS *JB
Electrical system, Jul 29, 2002
BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT, AND WILL NOT WORK WHEN CONSUMER IS DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO THE WORK.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Jul 14, 2002, fire
SMOLDERING FIRE PUT OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER. MAY BE RELATED TO ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM RECALL. WILL CONTACT DEALER AND MANUFACTURER.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, May 4, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Electrical system, Apr 24, 2002
WHEN KEY IS PUT INTO IGNITION SECURITY SYSTEM ACTIVATES AND OPERATES ERRACTICALLY. HORN BLOWS, AND HEADLIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF. DEALER HAS REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS; HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Electrical system, Apr 23, 2002
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT HEADLIGHT SYSTEM WOULD DIM POORLY WHEN OPERATING OTHER ELECTRICAL SWITCHES SUCH AS POWER WINDOWS, WIPERS ETC. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND STATED THAT WAS NORMAL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Electrical system, Structure, Equipment, Apr 18, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE ALARM SOUNDS AND HORN GOES OFF AND LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN OPENING DOORS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE ILLUMINATED ENTRY AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKS WERE NOT WORKING. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED WIRING AND RELAY IN THE DOORS, THE RADIO IGNITION SWITCH, AND DOOR LOCK, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE DEALER NOW STATES THAT THERE IS NOTHING FURTHER THEY CAN DO. NLM FRONT BUMER PULLED LOOSE. BUMPER AND LOWER FACIA REINSTALLED. *TT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Oct 1, 2001, fire
ABS LIGHT CAME ON AT STARTUP, CONTACTED DEALER SERVICE AND TOLD THEM OF THE PROBLEM, ASKED IF SAFE TO DRIVE. THEY REPLIED YES WITHOUT ABS. DROVE 30MI HOME, STOPPED AND SHUTOFF CAR, 1MINUTE LATER, LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD AND IN CABIN. FIRE DEPT RESPONDED. NO VISIBLE FLAME, BUT BURNED WIRING WAS EVIDENT. DEALER HAS ONLY CONFIRMED SO FAR THAT THE ABS CONTROLLER, PUMP AND WIRING HARNESS HAS SHORTED OUT.*AK
Electrical system, Feb 10, 2001
DEALER HAS REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS "4" DIFFERENT TIMES WITHIN LESS THAN 3,000 MILES. WE BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE UNSURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. WE HAVE HAD THE COIL PAC REPLACED 2 WEEKS LATER GROUND WIRES CLEANED @ COIL PAC,THIRD TIME IN IT HAD "10" FAULTS PULLED "MAINLEY SHORT TO GROUND WITH SPRO MISFIRE IN ALL CYLINDERS" REPLACED LOWER FUSE PANEL & FUEL PUMP RELY. MILAGE @ THIRD VISIT 2,274 MILEAGE 2ND VISIT 1,270.. 4TH VISIT MILEAGE 2,893. THEY CLAIM THE SPARK PLUG WIRE WAS MISSING INSULATION WHICH CAUSED IT TO ARC CAUSING ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON 4TH TIME. DATES OF SERVICE 12/4 00 845. MILES 12/20/00 MILEAGE 1,270.00 1/25/01 MILEAGE 2,274. 4TH VISIT 2/4/01 MILEAGE 2893.*AK