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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 677

Of the 2001 reports, 41 involved a crash and 12 involved a fire. 51 people were injured and 1 person died.

Primary concernElectrical system119 reports · 18% of complaints
Owner complaints677Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship7 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Electrical system119
  2. Engine and engine cooling111
  3. Air bags98
  4. Exterior lighting80
  5. Service brakes77
  6. Hydraulic69
  7. Visibility69
  8. Power train64

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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: exterior lighting

80 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Exterior lighting, Jul 2, 2003

    THE TURN SIGNALS HAVE AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THEY HAVE TURNED OFF, TURNED OF,F AND THEN RESUMED A FEW SECONDS LATER, OR FAILED TO TURN ON AT ALL.*AK THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 JETTA GLS WITH 40K MILES.

  2. Exterior lighting, Feb 5, 2003

    THE CRUISE/BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED WHICH CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. *NLM

  3. Exterior lighting, Visibility, Structure, Equipment, Jul 29, 2002

    NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS!!! THE DAY I WAS TO PICK MY CAR UP, DRIVER WINDOW NEEDED REPLACEMENT. SINCE THEN IT HAS FALLEN INTO DOOR 3 TIMES. AIR CONITIONER LEAKED INTO INTERIOR, SOAKING CARPETS AND SMELLS BAD. BRAKE LIGHTS STUCK ON WHEN CAR IS OFF, ARM REST AND GLOVE BOX BROKE. RECEIVED ZERO HELP FROM DEALERSHIP OR VOLKS.OF AMERICA. WHAT IS NEXT???

  4. Exterior lighting, Jun 4, 2002

    BACK BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE WORN OUT, AND THE LIGHT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT BRAKES NEED SERVICE HAS NOT COME ON YET. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

  5. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Exterior lighting, Feb 25, 2002

    I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THIS JETTA FROM THE FIRST DAY I TOOK OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED. NOW I HAVE JUST RECEIVED A NEW TRANSMISSION IN MY TEN MONTH OLD CAR. THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION WAS RESET THREE TIMES BEFORE VOLKSWAGEN REPLACED THE VALVE BODY. THIS PROCEDURE DID NOT WORK AND IN TURN ENDANGERED MY LIFE. I WAS TRYING TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT AND WAS SHUDDERING. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY AN ONCOMING 18 WHEELED TRUCK. I AM SCARED EVERY TIME I HAVE TO GET BACK IN THIS CAR. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN FIXED, BUT NOT MY TRUST. *AK