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
677 reports, newest first.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 29, 2003
IGNITION COIL FAILED AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOST OF POWER STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH
Electrical system, Jan 29, 2003
IGNITION COILS ON NEW VOLKSWAGEN 1.8T MOTORS ARE HORRIBLE. I KNOW IT'S A NATION WIDE PROBLEMS, SO WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE ABOUT IT YET!!!!!!!??????? I'M TIRED OF WONDERING WHEN AND WHERE MY CAR WILL BREAK DOWN... SOMETHING NEEDS TO HAPPEN
Electrical system, Jan 28, 2003
THE VW JETTA 1.8 TURBO MOTOR HAS COIL-PACKS THAT CONTINUALLY FAILS. MY CAR IS 1.5 YEARS OLD AND HAS FOR THRU 4 COILPACKS. WHEN A COILPACK DIES, IT CAUSES THE CAR TO NOT REALLY RUN, ON 2-3 CYCLINDERS VS 4. . THUS LEAVING YOU STRANDED. I USED TO WORK TILL MID-NIGHT AND DRIVE 50+ MILES EACH WAY TO WORK. DUE TO COIL-PACK FAILURES I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED TWICE AFTER MIDNIGHT. THIS IS VERY FUSTRATING. YOU NEVER KNOW IF YOU CAR WILL MAKE IT HOME. NOTHING LIKE BUYING A BRAND NEW CAR, AND HAVING MORE PORBLEMS THAN MY USED PREVIOUS CAR.
Electrical system, Jan 28, 2003
IGNITION COIL FAILURE - THE IGNITION COIL IN 2001 VOLKSWAGON JETTAS IS DEFECTIVE. VW KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE DONE NOTHING REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE 4 COIL IN THE CAR AND ONLY ONE HAS GONE BAD, THAT LEAVE 3 MORE READY TO DIE. I HAVE LOST FAITH IN MY CAR SINCE I KNOW IT WILL FAIL ME SOON. VW SHOUDL BE FORCED TO RECALL THIS PART AND PLACE IT WITH A WORKING PART.
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2003
IGNITION COIL FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2003
COIL PACK FAILURE - LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE.
Suspension, Jan 22, 2003
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION COIL PACKS. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND STALLS. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE IGNITION COILS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THEY ALSO TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW FOR HOW LONG THEY WERE GOING TO LAST FOR. TS
Electrical system, Jan 18, 2003
JUST HAD MY COIL PACK FAIL ON ME AND WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE DEALER TO GET REPLACED.
Electrical system, Jan 17, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND VIBRATING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DUE TO THE IGNITION COIL. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Tires, Seats, Equipment, Jan 16, 2003
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: TREAD SEPARATION(TIRES)/THE OUTSIDE TIRES CUPPED, MORE WEAR ON THE CENTER, 3-4 TIRES HAD SHOWN A SIGN OF SEPARATING CORDS, THE DRIVER SEAT BACK IS WORN, UNSPECIFIED BAD REMOTE, AND THE SPEAKER WOULD DRIFT AWAY THEN COME BACK AGAIN. THE CONSUMER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. SCC PH
Electrical system, Jan 15, 2003
WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS IT WAS RUNNING REALLY ROUGH. GRADUALLY IT WAS LOSING POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR THE EXHAUST SMELT REALLY BAD. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY, HE INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A IGNITION COIL PACK FAILURE AND THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS REALLY COMMON WITH THE 1.8L TURBO ENGINES. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A NATIONAL BACKLOG WITH THE PART AS THERE HAD BEEN MANY FAILURES AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT ATLEAST 2-3 WEEKS BEFORE THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I WOULD CONSIDER THIS FAILURE TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THE CAR HAD LOST POWER IN A BUSY ROAD OR A FREEWAY IT WOULD HAVE CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Electrical system, Jan 15, 2003
IGNITION COIL FAILURE, CYLINDER #3 JUNE 4, 2001 AT 6324 MI. SPARK PLUG FAILURE, CYLINDER #3, JANUARY 10, 2002 AT 16,245 MI. IGNITION COIL FAILURE, CYLINDER #4, APRIL 22, 2002 AT 17, 481 MI. IGNITION COIL FAILURE, CYLINDER #3, JULY 10, 2002 AT 19,597 MI. IGNITION COIL FAILURE, CYLINDER #4, JANUARY 14, 2003 AT 24,782 MI.
Suspension, Jan 14, 2003
CONSUMER NOTICED A DECREASE IN ACCELERATION ABILITY. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THE COIL SPRINGS WERE BAD. BUT WILL ONLY REPLACE THEM AS THEY GO OUT. CONSUMER FEELS UNSAFE DRIVING WITH 3 DEFECTIVE COIL SPRINGS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB
Air bags, Jan 13, 2003, crash
DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT THAT MAY HAVE TOTALED THE CAR. DAMAGE WAS TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE ONLY AND THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG DID DEPLOY.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 10, 2003
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH THE ENGINE MAKES A SEVERE NOISE AND THEN A VIBRATION IS FELT AS IF THE ENGINE IS LOOSING POWER, WHICH WAS DUE TO A FAULTY ENGINE COIL PACK THAT WENT BAD. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND WILL CHANGE ONLY ONE COIL. DUKE GOLD'S SPEED WAY VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, WILL NOT REPLACE THE COIL AT LEAST IN THE FOLLOWING NEXT 3 WEEKS BECAUSE THERE IS A NATIONAL BACK ORDER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 10, 2003
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE FAILED AND LOST POWER AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 9, 2003
PURCHASED NEW 2001 JETTA IN AUGUST OF 2000, GLS 2.0L ENGINE AND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN BURNING/LOSING OIL. ABOUT 1 QT EVEY 1000 MILES DRIVEN. CANNOT UNDERSTAND AND OIL CONSUMPTION TEST BY VWOF A IN JULY OF 2002 SAID IT WAS NORMAL EVEN AFTER BREAKIN PERIOD. CAR CURRENTLY HAS 46,000 MILES. I AM PISSED OFF STILL AND I AM BASICALLY PUTTING A QUART OF OIL IN EVERY MONTH PLUS 2 OIL CHANGES A YEAR. THIS NORMAL OIL CONSUMTION IS COSTING A FORTUNE AND THIS WAS NEVER DISCLOSED TO ME WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. NO MENTION OF IT IN THE SERVICE MANUAL AND VWOF A HAS A TSB OUT THERE BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A NEW ENGINE.
Electrical system, Jan 9, 2003
COIL FAILED ON 2001 VW JETTA 1.8 T, AT 18400 MILES,MANUFACTUROR DEFECT,VW IS HAVING THE COIL REMANUFACTURED. DEALER SAYS PART COULD TAKE UP TO 2 MONTHS BECAUSE OF BACK ORDERS.THIS SIMPLY STATES THEY CAN'T KEEP UP WITH THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND AS SO MANY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AND DEALER REPLACE ALL 4 COILS.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 3, 2003
WHILE DRIVING , VEHICLE STARTED TO STALL AND THEN SHUT OFF. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
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
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 20, 2002
THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND HESTSTATE . PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Visibility, Dec 19, 2002
CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLES' DEFROSTER ON , AND THE BACK WINDSHIELD IMPLODE, WITHOUT BEING HIT BY AN OBJECT OR VEHICLE BEING IN AN ACCIDENT, AND WENT INTO THE BACK SEAT. NO ONE WAS INJURED, CAUSE SEAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED AT THE TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS