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: visibility
71 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility, Jul 25, 2002
HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN I WENT TO ROLL DOWN DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. WINDOW WOULD ONLY GO DOWN, NOT UP. WINDOW IS NOW ALL THE WAY DOWN INSIDE OF DOOR AND WONT ROLL UP.*JB
Visibility, Jul 11, 2002
I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH MY JETTA'S REPEATED WINDOW REGULATOR PROBLEMS!!*AK
Visibility, Jul 10, 2002
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW FALL OUT OF TRACK AND DOWN INSIDE DOOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO BOTH FRONT WINDOWS. VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO REPAIR ALL FOUR WINDOWS.*AK
Visibility, Jul 3, 2002
FOR THE 2ND TIME, THE WINDOW REGULATOR ON MY VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HAS BROKEN. THE FIRST TIME (DRIVER'S SIDE), I BOUGHT AND REPLACED THE REGULATOR MYSELF. THE 2ND TIME (PASSENGER SIDE), THE DEALERSHIP (DIRITO BROS IN WALNUT CREEK, CA) FIXED IT UNDER "GOOD WILL". WHEN I FIXED IT MYSELF, I NOTICED NO DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE REPLACEMENT PART AND THE ORIGINAL. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT THEY PERFORM SEVERAL WINDOW REGULATOR REPLACEMENTS DAILY. AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, I CAN CONFIDENTLY STATE THAT THE PLASTIC ROTOR (WHICH HAS BEEN THE CAUSE OF ALL MY WINDOW FAILURES) IS SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERDESIGNED FOR THE FUNCTION IT MUST PERFORM. *AK
Visibility, Jul 2, 2002
SUNROOF IS UNABLE TO OPEN DUE TO INTERIOR OBSTRUCTION, PLASTIC PIECES FROM ASSEMBLY CRACKED AND CRUMBLED OUT OF SUNROOF.*AK
Visibility, Jun 25, 2002
PASSENGER WINDOW FALLS DOWN INTO DOOR WHILE ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW. THIS FIRST OCCURRED IN MAY 2001, AND WAS FIXED. PROBLEM REPEATED IN JULY 2002. VOLKSWAGEN HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, BUT A FIX OF THIS DESIGN FLAW IS NOT YET AVAILABLE.*AK
Visibility, Jun 19, 2002
A FRIEND HAS A 1999 OR 2000 JETTA & HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER SAYS THIS HAS OCCURRED FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS IN JETTA MODELS & VW HAS YET TO RECTIFY IT. THE DEALER HAS HAD A STEADY STREAM OF JETTA'S TO FIX, DAILY. EVEN NOW, MY REPLACEMENT PART IS ON ESTIMATED TWO WEEK BACKORDER. I ASKED AN UNKNOWN TO ME, JETTA DRIVER @A STOPSIGN IF HE HAD THIS PROBELM & SAID ONE TIME. HE REPORTED HIS GIRLFRIEND'S JETTA HAD IT HAPPEN TWELVE(!) TIMES, & A LAWSUIT WAS PENDING. APPARENTLY THE PLASTIC PIECE HOLDING THE WINDOW FAILS IN AZ'S +100F HEAT. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT RECOURSE IS BEST TO PURSUE.*AK
Visibility, Jun 10, 2002
THE WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE ON MY FRONT, PASSENGER-SIDE WINDOW. BASED ON THE LARGE NUMBER OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AS WELL AS OTHER INFORMATION, I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR IS DEFECTIVE. VW HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS PART AND HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE REGULATOR IN MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AS THE WINDOW REGULATOR CAN SUDDENLY FAIL AND CAUSE THE WINDOW TO DROP DOWN INTO THE DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED. IN ADDITION TO BEING A DANGEROUS DISTRACTION, THIS WOULD PLACE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AT INCREASED RISK OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT SHOULD THIS OCCUR DURING A HEAVY DOWNPOUR OR SNOWFALL.*AK
Visibility, May 20, 2002
DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FALLS OUT WHEN PUSHING DOWN AUTOMATIC WINDOW SWITCH WHILE DRIVING.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Visibility, May 13, 2002
WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT. ALSO, ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Visibility, May 6, 2002
ONGOING FAILURE OF PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW MOTORS, MOTOR WAS REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Visibility, Apr 15, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
Suspension, Visibility, Seats, Other or unspecified, Mar 15, 2002
L HAVE HAD NUMEROUS "FACTORY DEFECTS" WITH MY NEW VEHICLE AND NO ONE CAN HELP ME SOLVE MY DILEMA. THE VEHICLE IM SUBMITTING TO YOU IS NOT THE ORGINIALLY PURCHASED CAR. THEY HAD TO GIVE ME A 2ND VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS EVER SINCE WITH KEYLESS REMOTE UNI (REPLACED), AUTO WINDOW UNIT(BOTH DRIVER, PASSNEGER-BOTH UNITS REPLACED),DRIVER SEAT NOT BOLTED TO FLOOR. HAD TO GET A NEW SEAT. NEW SHOCKS, NEW PACKING BETWEEN REAR PASS. DOOR PANELS. ALL CLAIMED TO BE FACTORY DEFECTS PER THE DEALER. I HAVE ESTABLISHED A CLAIM THROUGH VW OF AMERICA BUT THEY CANNOT ASSIST. THEY WILL ONLY TAKE MY COMPLAINTS. *AK
Visibility, Mar 4, 2002
WHILE DRIVING THE GLASS OF THE PASSANGER SIDE EXTERIOR MIRROR CAME LOOSE AND WAS FLAPPING BY THE CABLE. CHIPPED MIRROR, ALMOST BROKE THE PASSENGER WINDOW (LEFT MARKS/SCRATCHES FROM IMPACTING WINDOW) AND LEFT 10-15 SCRATCHES IN THE DOOR'S PAINT. DEALERSHIP STATED THEY REPLACE ABOUT TWO A WEEK. FAILURE RATE APPEARS HIGH IF THAT IS THE CASE. NO KNOWN CAUSE OF FAILURE, WAS NOT STRUCK OR ANYTHING. SUSPECT VACUUM FORCES FROM AIR FLOW OVER MIRROR HOUSING OVERCAME THE PLASTIC RETAINING CLIPS. DEALER STATES NOT A WARRANTY REPAIR SAYING IT MUST HAVE BEEN STRUCK ALTHOUGH NO VISIBLE EVIDENCE EXISTS ON HOUSING AND NOTHING WAS IN THE VICINITY OF THE CAR WHEN IT OCCURRED, HAVE CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA AND INITIAL RESPONSE IS "WE STAND BY OUR SERVICE CENTER'S DECISIONS."*AK
Visibility, Feb 22, 2002
2ND TIME - PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR HAS FAILED. REGULATOR WAS REPLACED IN JULY OF 2001, ONLY SIX MONTHS AGO. DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAS ALSO FAILED PREVIOUSLY. *AK
Visibility, Jan 15, 2002
I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS THEY CANNOT LOOK AT/REPAIR THE REMAINING WINDOWS UNTIL IT ACTUALLY FAILS. I HAVE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN'S CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT, AND THEY STATED THAT "THIS IS WHY CARS COME WITH WARRANTIES" AND THAT IT WAS MY PROBLEM, NOT THEIRS. I HAVE RECEIVED TERRIBLE SERVICE FROM VOLKSWAGEN FOR VARIOUS OTHER MINOR DEFECTS IN ADDITION.NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED. *AK
Visibility, Jan 11, 2002
WINDOWS ON DOORS KEEP FALLING DOWN. HAD TAKEN TO DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT REGULATOR FOR WINDOWS WAS BROKEN & NEEDED REPLACING. PROBLEM WITH WINDOWS STILL EXIST AFTER REPAIRS.*AK
Visibility, Nov 2, 2001
IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR MY SAFETY TO BE ABLE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS UP ON MY VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY. THE WINDOWS HAVE NOW BROKEN 3 TIMES IN THE DOWN POSITION AND THE CAR IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD WITH LESS THAN 12,000 MILES ON IT! THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.*AK
Visibility, Jul 23, 2001
IN BOTH INSTANCES I RETURNED THE CAR TO CHARLES MAUND VW IN AUSTIN FOR REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. I ASKED FOR THEM TO CHECK THE OTHER WINDOWS AND BOTH TIMES THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO UNTIL IT BREAKS AGAIN. IN BOTH INSTANCES THE WINDOW ABRUPTLY SLID INTO THE DOOR WHEN I HIT THE POWER WINDOW BUTTON ONCE. FOR OTHER EXAMPLES ON THIS PLEASE CHECK WWW.VWVORTEX.COM AND GO UNDER "FORUMS" AND DO A SEARCH FOR WINDOW REGULATORS. YOU WILL FIND THIS TO BE A RATHER COMMON OCCURRENCE AND ONE THAT OTHER OWNERS ARE CALLING A OEM DEFECT.THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.*AK
Visibility, Jun 27, 2001
WINDSHEILD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY BECOME INOPERABLE IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*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.