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: power train
64 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Structure, Feb 24, 2005
2001 JETTA- MAKES WINDING NOISE AT 40 MPH, EAR PIERCING, TECHNICIANS CLAIM THIS IS NORMAL BUT OVERPOWERS RADIO? UNACCEPTABLE. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ERRATICALLY ALL THE TIME, CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD WHEN AT A STOP WHEN FOOT TAKEN OFF BRAKE PEDAL. CAR MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. *NM
Power train, Feb 10, 2005
2001 VW JETTA TDI - TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE @ 68,000 MILES. WARRANTY WAS UP AT 50K. VW STATED THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, EXCEPT CHARGE ME $3800 FOR A FACTORY REFERBED TRANSMITION (PART ONLY). 68,000 MILES ON THIS CAR WOULD BE CONSIDERED A GOOD BREAK IN MILAGE NOT AN OOPS YOU GOT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMITION. I AM VERY UNSATISFIED THAT VW WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT EVEN THOUGH IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. 68,000 MILES ON A TOTALLY SEALED TRANSMITION. NOT EVEN A DIP STICK TO CHECK FLUIDS. NO LEAKS WERE PRESENT, NO WARRNING SIGNS, JUST INSTANT FAILURE. FIRST AND LAST VW FOR ME. CONSUMERS BE AZWARE!!!!! *AK
Power train, Jan 25, 2005
CLUTCH MECHANISM SUDDENLY BEGAN ENGAGING ONLY AT THE UPPER END OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL TRAVEL WHILE DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROX. 39,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. THE RESULT WAS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHILE STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP, EITHER ROLLING BACKWARDS ON AN INCLINE, LURCHING AHEAD OR STALLING. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO AN ACCIDENT, PARTICULARLY IN AN INTERSECTION OR IN CROWDED STOP AND GO CONDITIONS. INCLEMENT WEATHER WOULD COMPOUND THE SAFETY RISKS. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER REPORTED A CLUTCH FAILURE, THAT THE CLUTCH IS A WEAR ITEM AND THAT NO WARRANTY IS OFFERED. AS I HAVE NEVER HAD A CLUTCH WEAR OUT IN 30 YEARS OF DRIVING , I RESEARCHED VIA THE INTERNET AND FOUND THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON AMONGST SIMILAR VW VEHICLES WITH THE 1.8T ENGINE AND THAT MANY SIMILAR FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AT EVEN MUCH LOWER MILEAGE. I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA CUSTOMER CARE AND VW DENIES THERE ARE ANY INHERENT DESIGN PROBLEMS, CITE DRIVER ERROR AND CONFIRMED WITH A RETURN CALL THAT NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE. OTHER SOURCES, INCLUDING A VW MECHANIC HAVE INDEPENDENTLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT VW HAVE SELECTED THE SAME FLYWHEEL, PRESSURE PLATE AND CLUTCH COMPONENTS AS ARE USED ON THE BASE NON-TURBOCHARGED ENGINE, AND THIS ARRANGEMENT IS UNDER DESIGNED FOR THE MORE POWERFUL 1.8T. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THE REPORTED FAILURE IS MORE CONSISTENT WITH A PRESSURE PLATE FAILURE THAN CLUTCH WEAR. ONE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THEY ARE REPLACING AT LEAST ONE OF THESE CLUTCH ASSEMBLIES PER WEEK, OFTEN ON LOW MILEAGE VEHICLES. SO FAR I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND IT SITS IDLE WHILE I INVESTIGATE THE APPLICABILITY OF AFTERMARKET, HEAVIER DUTY COMPONENTS. *NM
Power train, Jan 20, 2005
VW JETTA 2001 1.8T 5-SPD HAD A CLUTCH FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING UP TO 6000 RPM BUT THE CAR SLOWED DOWN DRAMATICALLY. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS IN THE LANE. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE CAR WITH A CLUTCH PLATE FAILURE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY ($1200). INSPITE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PURCHASE, VW DOES NOT COVER THIS AS IT RELATES IT TO "WEAR AND TEAR". THE CAR ONLY HAS 68K MILES ON IT, AND MOST OF IT IS HIGHWAY DRIVING (80%). AFTER SOME RESEARCH, IT LOOKS LIKE VW USES INFERIOR PARTS THAT CAUSE CLUTCH FAILURE IN MOST OF THEIR JETTAS. THIS IS A BIG CONCERN. VW PUTS THE BLAME ON THE DRIVER, BUT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE FAULTY PARTS. CHECK OUT WWW.MYVWLEMON.COM. *JB
Power train, Aug 10, 2004
2001 JETTA 1.8T CLUTCH BEGAN SLIPPING AT 34,600 MILES. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE FRICTION MATERIAL WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY WORN OFF OF THE CLUTCH DISC, MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE WAY THAT IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN. WE HAVE DRIVEN OVER 80K MILES IN ANOTHER MANUAL VEHICLE WITH NO PROBLEMS, SO I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS RATIONALE. THE CAR WENT IN FOR SERVICE AT 16,000 MILES FOR A STICKING CLUTCH. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS AT THAT TIME. THE CLUTCH MAY NOT HAVE FULLY ENGAGED EVEN WHEN THE PEDAL FINALLY RELEASED DUE TO FAULTY HYDRAULICS, SO THE CLUTCH PLATE WAS LIKELY WORN PREMATURELY BECAUSE IT WASN'T PROPERLY ENGAGING WITH THE FLYWHEEL. THE DEALER'S REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS $2100, INCLUDING $1200 FOR A REPLACEMENT CLUTCH KIT PLUS 10 HOURS OF LABOR. I THEN CALLED A SECOND LOCAL DEALER AND WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $753.94 FOR THE SAME CLUTCH KIT. WHEN I DECLINED THE DEALER'S REPAIR, I WAS CHARGED AN $83 DIAGNOSTIC FEE JUST TO GET MY CAR BACK. I THEN SPOKE WITH THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER AND A VW OF AMERICA REP ABOUT THE CYLINDER PROBLEM AND THE APPARENTLY HIGH RATE OF 1.8T CLUTCH FAILURES. BOTH CLAIMED THAT TOO MANY MILES HAD PASSED SINCE THAT FIRST REPAIR AND REITERATED THAT 1) THE CLUTCH IS A WEAR ITEM ONLY COVERED TO 12,000 MILES BY THE WARRANTY AND 2) I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FIXED THE VEHICLE FOR $1038 WITH A NON-OEM CLUTCH KIT. THIS PRICE ALSO INCLUDED NEW MASTER AND SLAVE CYLINDERS, WHICH HE FELT WERE LIKELY THE CAUSE THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH FAILURE. INCIDENTALLY, HE SAID THAT VW'S OWN SERVICE DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED TO MECHANICS INDICATED THAT A CLUTCH OVERHAUL SHOULD TAKE 4-5 HOURS (AS OPPOSED TO THE 10 HOURS QUOTED BY MY DEALER).
Power train, Jul 12, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE WITHIN THE PAST 4 YEARS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON EVERY OTHER WEEK. DEALER WAS NOT HELPING WITH THE EXISTING PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. BUT, IT WAS ONE ISSUE AFTER ANOTHER, AND VOLKSWAGEN WAS VERY EVASIVE IN RESPONDING TO THE PROBLEMS AT HAND. *AK
Power train, Jul 7, 2004
THE CLUTCH ON MY 2001 VW JETTA 1.8T WENT OUT SLL OF A SUDDEN. THE CAR WAS DRIVING COMPLETELY FINE (GEARS WEREN'T STICKY OR CLUTCH LOOSE) AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY QUOTED $1600 FOR REPAIR (NEW CLUTCH KIT AND FLYWHEEL). I HAD IT TOWED AGAIN TO A VW SPECIALIST AND HE SAID THE CLUTCHES ON THE NEW VW'S SHOULD LAST AT LEAST 100,000 (AND THAT IS FOR SOMEONE WHO EVEN RIDES THE CLUTCH, HE SAID IT SHOULD LAST EVEN LONGER). VW REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS (EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A WARRANTTY UNTIL 48,000 MILES) SAYING IT WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. MY JETTA ONLY HAS 32,000 MILES. SO, WE HAD TO COVER THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. *AK
Power train, Jun 2, 2004
VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIDING WHEN TURNING. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS AND 2 DEALERSHIPS TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE THE REAR AXLE WAS BENT. THE CAUSE OF THE AXLE BENDING HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAD NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Visibility, May 25, 2004
BEFORE I PICKED UP THE CAR- IT NEEDED A NEW FUEL TANK BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PUT GAS INTO THE CAR. AT 60,000 MILES THE CRANK SHAFT BROKE OFF AND A NEW ENGINE WAS INSTALLED. MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL DOWN. TWO PLASTIC THINGS KEEP FALLING OUT OF THE SUNROOF AND I PUT THEM BACK UP. NUMEROUS OXYGEN SENSORS HAVE BEEN CHANGED BUT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. FINALLY, AT 107,000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND VW REFUSES TO HELP WITH ANY OF THE COST BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF THE WARRANTY. *NM
Electronic stability control, Power train, May 19, 2004
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM EITHER A STOP OR MOVING, THE TRANSMISSION OCCASIONALLY WILL SLIP WHILE SHIFTING FROM 1ST-2ND GEAR, REGARDLESS OF EITHER LIGHT OR HEAVY THROTTLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS PROVEN ELUSIVE TO DUPLICATE ON DEMAND AND HAS OCCURED UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS, TO INCLUDE: LIGHT & HEAVY ACCELERATION; MOVING & FROM DEAD STOP; DRY & WET ROADS; INCLINED (UPHILL) & DECLINED (DOWNHILL) AND VARIOUS COMBINATIONS OF LISTED CONDITIONS. THIS STARTED OCCURING AROUND 29,000 MILES AND HAS CONTINUED ON/OFF UP TO ITS' CURRENT 40,073 MILES. WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT FOR THE DEALER IT WILL BE A MOOT POINT TO BRING IT IN FOR DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR, AS THEY WILL "GUESS" THE CAUSE AND CHARGE ME ACCORDINGLY.*AK
Power train, Equipment, May 16, 2004
CAR HAS JUST HAD THE SECOND TRANSMISSION PLACED IN LESS THAN 11,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN THE SHOP 17 TIMES LOSING IT EACH TIME AT THE LEAST FOR 2 DAYS AND AT THE MOST FOR A WEEK AND A HALF. THE DEALERSHIP AND VW REFUSE TO PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF ASSISTANCE WITH A RENTAL CAR LEAVING ME TO RELY ON OTHERS FOR TRANSPORTATION OR PAY HIGH RENTAL COSTS. EVERY TIME THE TRANSMISSION GOES OUT IT BEGINS TO SLIP WHEN GOING INTO GEARS AND POUNDS INTO GEARS OTHER TIMES. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED SEVERAL EMISSION SENSORS AND COMPLETELY REBUILT THE BACK BRAKE SYSTEM. THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. SO FAR MOST OF THE PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL THAT I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. I BOUGHT A VW FOR ITS SUPPOSED EXCELLENT QUALITY, BUT HAVE OBVIOUSLY PURCHASED A LEMON.*AK
Power train, May 11, 2004
MY CLUTCH ON MY 1.8T FAILED AT 30K MILES. LOCAL DEALER & VOA STATED THAT PROBLEM WAS WEAR & TEAR I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY INCLUDING THE FLYWHEEL. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE, AND THAT THERE WAS PLENTY OF WEAR LEFT ON THE CLUTCH. WE WERE FORCED TO USE VW REPLACEMENT PARTS AS WELL.
Power train, May 8, 2004
THE CLUTCH IN MY 2001 JETTA 1.8T DIED AT ONLY 28,000 MILES. DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS "WEAR AND TEAR" - SERVICE MANAGER WHISPERED THAT THE DMF CLUTCH IS DEFECTIVE ON THESE MODELS. VW WAS UNRESPONSIVE AFTER REPEATED LETTERS AND CALLS. HAD LOANER FOR 40 DAYS. DEALER AGREED TO PAY LABOR - I PAID FOR THE PART. *AK
Power train, Apr 29, 2004
WHILE SHIFTING GEAR INTO REVERSE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE ON IT'S OWN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *LA
Power train, Apr 7, 2004
PREMATURE FAILURE OF CLUTCH IN VW 1.8T (JETTA). *AK
Power train, Apr 1, 2004
THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR FOR NO REASON, WITH NO WARNING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS AND IN CERTAIN GEARS. WHEN YOU TRY AND ACCELERATE THE ENGINE REVS BUT YOU DON'T GO ANYWHERE, POSSIBLY A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN TWICE FOR REPAIRS AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS, ALL THAT HAS CHANGED IS WHICH GEAR. THE DEALER CLAIMED THESE REPAIRS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION IS COVERED BY A 10-YEAR WARRANTY.*AK
Power train, Mar 24, 2004
I WAS TOLD TODAY BY THE VW DEALERSHIP THAT I NEED A NEW CLUTCH, PRESSURE PLATE, AND FLYWHEEL FOR MY 2001 VW JETTA 1.8T IT ONLY HAS 33,249 MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING CARS AND P/U TRUCKS WITH CLUTCHES SINCE 1972. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP BY THE VW MANUFACTURER. I WAS TOLD IT WILL COST $1,555.00 IN PARTS AND LABOR. *JB
Power train, Mar 23, 2004
WHILE DRIVING, THE CLUTCH DIED. *PH AFTER BEING TOLD THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THE CONSUMER DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS OF FAULTY PRESSURE PLATES. *JB
Power train, Mar 18, 2004
I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CLUTH ON MY 2001 JETTA 1.8T. AT APPROXIMATELY 5100 MILES (MAY 2003) I HAD THE CLUTCH BURN OUT. VW REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. LESS THAN 100 MILES LATER (JUNE 2003) THAT REPLACEMENT CLUTCH BURNT OUT. VW AGAIN REPLACED IT BUT SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY OTHER PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE CLUTCH. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. SHE LEARNED TO DRIVE IN 1996 ON AN OMNI WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND HAS BEEN DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS FOR ALL BUT TWO YEARS SINCE THAT TIME. SINCE WE GOT THE VW JETTA OUT OF THE SHOP LAST JUNE I HAVE BEEN THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE CLUTCH BURN OUT AGAIN ON 15 MARCH 2004. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING NUMEROUS VEHICLES IN THE LAST 35 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER BURNT UP A CLUTCH. THE JETTA STILL HAS LESS THAT 12,000 MILES ON IT. THIS MAKES FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE CLUTCH 3 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN AUGUST 2001.*AK
Power train, Mar 15, 2004
JETTA SUFFERED A FAILURE WHERE THE CLUTCH PLATE SHATTERED AND THE PRESSURE PLATE FAILED. THE CLUTCH PLATE DID NOT SHOW DRASTIC WEAR, THE WEAR LINE ON THE CLUTCH PLATE WERE STILL VISIBALE. VW CONSIDERED THIS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I BELIEVE THAT THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK
Power train, Mar 15, 2004
CLUTCH WENT BAD VERY EARLY IN LIFE OF AUTO. EXPERIENCED MANUAL DRIVER. CLUTCH SEEMED TO GO BAD IN ONE DAY FROM NOTHING WRONG TO CAR NOT DRIVEABLE. VW REPLACED FLYWHEEL WITH UPGRADED PART PROVING THAT OLD PART WAS UNRELIABLE. *AK CAR HAD JUST BEEN IN FOR 40,000 MILE COMPLETE CHECK-UP WITH PASSING COLORS.
Power train, Mar 10, 2004
MY 2001 VW JETTA 1.8T CLUTCH FAILED AFTER JUST 16,000 MILES WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO "DRIVER ERROR". HOWEVER, AFTER SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE 1.8T CLUTCHES ARE A DUAL-MASS FLYWHEEL (DMF) DESIGN WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE. IT SEEMS THEY CANNOT HANDLE THE UPPED POWER/TORQUE OF THE TURBO. THEY ARE KNOWINGLY SELLING A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND CHARGING US UPWARDS OF $1300 TO REPAIR IT WITH THE SAME FAULTY PART!*AK
Power train, Jan 21, 2004
WHILE TRAVELING CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Power train, Jan 15, 2004
RIGHT FRONT DRIVE SHAFT BECAME SLIGHTLY OUT OF ROUND BY ABOUT 30 THOUS. THIS PROBLEM CANNOT BE EXPLAINED BY ANY REGULAR MEANS EXCEPT THE DEALER SAYS WE MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING . IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO HIT THE SHAFT BECAUSE IT IS PROTECTED . I BELIEVE THIS IS METAL FATIGUE THAT COMES FROM HIGHSPEED HIGHWAY DRIVING AS I COMMUTE DAILY ABOUT 250 KM.THE CAR IS ONLY 22 MONTHS OLD BUT I NOW HAVE 125,800 KM ON IT.I SUSPECT THIS PROBLEM WOULD HAVE NEVER OCCURED IF I WAS ONLY DRIVING THE AVERAGE 20,000KM PER YEAR AND ON THE HIGHWAY FROM TIME TO TIME. DEALER WAS NOT EVEN INTERESTED IN CONTACTING VOLKSWAGON TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY HELP AVAILABLE.
Power train, Exterior lighting, Jan 7, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. ALSO, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT.*AK WATER INTRUSION FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE LEAVING 1/2" OF WATER ON FLOORBOARD. CONSUMER REPORTING THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN SLIPPERY PEDALS AND WINDOWS FOGGING UP. *MJJ