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, Visibility, Aug 21, 2003
2001 VW JETTA - NUMEROUS BUILD ISSUES. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION - 1 QUART IN 1000 MILES. VEHICLE RE-RINGED AT 19K. CURRENT MILEAGE 47K - LAST OIL CHANGE DOWN 2 QUARTS IN 5OOO MILES. WINDOW REGULATORS - RECALL. SHIFTER SHAFT REPLACED FOR SERIOUS VIBRATION IN 2ND AND 5TH GEARS. BOTH FRONT SEATS FEEL LIKE THEY AREN'T LOCKED IN PLACE! DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY WELD AT TIME OF MANUFACTURE.*AK
Power train, Aug 13, 2003
CONSUMER STATESDTHAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE UP A HILL TRANSMISSION MODULE FAILED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, May 22, 2003
THE GEAR WAS HARD TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND THE BRAKE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 10, 2002
THE CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND LOST POWER. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED IN A YEAR-FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS A LEMON. SCC
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 6, 2002
OFTEN WHEN ACCELERATING, MY AUTOMATIC JETTA WILL SEEM TO GO INTO NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE WILL BE ROARING AND THE RPM WILL FLY UP INTO THE RED ZONE ON THE DAIL. THIS HAPPENS AT SPEEDS FROM 5 MPH- 75 MPH. IT ALWAYS OCCURS AS I GO TO ACCELERATE, OTHERWISE I CAN FIND NO OTHER SIMILARITIES OF OCCURRENCES.
Power train, Jun 12, 2002
WHILE PLACING VEHICLE IN PARK FOR A FEW MINUTES AND WITHOUT WARNING SHIFTED TO GEAR THEN BACK TO DRIVE AND GEAR GOT STUCK IN PARK. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ON MANY OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, HAVD NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX PROBLEM WITH GEARS.*AK
Power train, Apr 29, 2002
AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR . THIS NEVER HAPPENS AT FIRST START.*AK *YD
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Apr 21, 2002
TRANSMISION DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY AROUND THIRD GEAR, THE CAR WILL REV UP THEN THE CAR HAS A HARD JERK. AS FOR THE ENGINE THE ENGINE WILL KILL ANY WHERE AT ANY TIME THE HOLE CAR WILL JUST SHUT OF DRIVING OR JUST SITTING STILL. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THIS CAR!*AK
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
Power train, Nov 9, 2001
INTERMINTENT PROBLEM SHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR TO SECOND. CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT THEREFORE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE IN TRAFFIC. DEALER REPLACED ELECTRICAL PART CALLED A VALVE BODY. CAR STILL DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. VOLKSWAGEN RECCOMENDED COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT WHICH DEALER PERFORMED. WE HAVE CONCERNS OVER SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE IF THIS PART SHOULD FAIL AGAIN. IS THERE STATISTICAL DATA AVAILABLE REGARDING FAILURE OF THIS PART?
Power train, May 25, 2001
CAR WOULD MAKE AWFUL HIGH-PITCHED HOWLING NOISE AT 40MPH. THOUGHT IT WAS ROAD NOISE, DEALER SAID MIGHT BE DRIVESHAFT, CHANGED DRIVE SHAFT, STILL HOWLED, CHANGED TRANSMISSION, NOW IT SEEMS TO BE OK. SEEMS MANY OTHER 2001 VW JETTA'S IN THE S.FLORIDA AREA EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEMS BECAUSE I SAW MANY MORE JETTAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP, AND MOST OF THE VEHICLE OWNERS I SPOKE TO THERE SAID THEY WERE GETTING NEW TRANSMISSIONS PUT IN. SOME WERE GETTING THEIR 3RD AND 4TH CHANGES. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Feb 22, 2001
TRANSMISSION REPLACED ON FEBRUARY 8, AND ABS SENSOR REPLACED ON FEBRUARY 21. BRAKES HAD FAILED. *AK
Power train, Feb 7, 2001
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAKES HIGH PITCH SOUND ON ACCELERATION/ AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ERRATIC/ VEHICLE DID NOT PROCEED FORWARD ON ACCELERATION IN DRIVE POSITION, REMAINED IDLE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK TO VERIFY IF ENGINE HAD SHUT OFF, SHIFT HANDLE LOCKED UP IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION. AFTER ABOUT 1 MINUTE, FREE FROM NEUTRAL AND PUT BACK INTO PARK POSITION WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, CAR JUMPED FORWARD./ VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY IN REACHING SPEEDS OF 60 TO 70 MILES PER HOUR. BROUGHT CAR IN FOR INSPECTION. OTHER COMPLAINT WAS DRIVERS SEAT MOVED TOO MUCH. DEALER TO REPLACE WITH NEW SEAT HARNEST. DEALER ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION WITH NEW. I TALKED TO VW ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER AND IS TELLING ME THAT THEY ARE NOT SURE THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TRANSMISSION. ALSO ADMITS THAT ENGINE GEARS FOR TRANSMISSION WERE FAULTY IS THE REASON FOR THE HIGH PITCH NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WISH TO EXCHANGE MY VEHICLE WITH ANOTHER. CAN YOU HELP ME DO THIS? *AK
Power train, Visibility, Aug 16, 2000
TRANSMISSION STOPPED SHIFTING INTO 4TH GEAR WHILE DRIVING THROUGHT CITY, CALLED FOR TOW TO DEALER. DEALER SAIR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. AFTER AUTO TRAVELED TO KY WHILE PARKEN IN CARPORTE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM LOWER DRIVERS SIDE UPWARDS INTO DRIVERS VIEW ABOUT 8 INCHES. DELAER REFUSS TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD IMMEDIATELY. SAYS THAT FAILURE MUST BE VERRIFIED BY SOME ONE WHO IS ON VACATION, WILL BE GONE WEEK. MONTGOMERY VW IN ELIZABETHTOWN KY, SERVICE MANAGER REPORTED THAT IT WAS A STRESS CRACK, AND THAT SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN AS UNSAFE, DEALER WILL NOT SUPPLY REPLACEMENT AUTO, OR ANYTHING TILL INSPECTION, ALL THIS TIME I AM WITHOUT A NEW AUTO. THIS IS NOT ANY WAY FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.