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.
Electrical system, Dec 18, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. CAUSING THE COIL PACK TO LEAK OIL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Electrical system, Dec 18, 2002
NUMBER (4) COILPACK ON MY 2001 VW JETTA WOLFSBURG WENT BAD AND THE CAR WAS RENDERED UNDRIVABLE UNTIL I USED ANOTHER FORM OF TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO A NEARBY DEALER TO BUY A REPLACEMENT
Electrical system, Dec 18, 2002
IGNITION COIL FAILURES ON MY 2001 JETTA GLS 1.8T. 3 COILS FAILED LEADING TO A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION WHERE I COULD NOT ACCELERATE OUT OF A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. VW CHANGED ONLY 3 COILS, SAYING THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION COILS, BUT WILL NOT CHANGE A PART UNLESS IT FAILS. THE 4TH COIL FAILED YESTERDAY, 12/17/02 AND VW IS OUT OF COILS NATIONWIDE. I SPEND QUITE A BIT OF TIME ON MANY VW AND AUDI CAR OWNER WEB-BOARDS AND THE PROBLEM IS RUNNING RAMPANT. CHECK WWW.VWVORTEX.COM, WWW.AUDIFORUMS.COM TO NAME A FEW, THEN DO A WEB-SEARCH IN ARCHIVED ITEMS IN THE AUDI FORUM OR SPECIFIC CHAT ROOMS IN THE VW FORUM. THIS PROBLEM WILL COSTS LIVES IF IT IS NOT ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY.
Electrical system, Dec 17, 2002
THE NUMBER OF MISFIRES AND FAILED COILPACK'S ON MY '01 VW JETTA 1.8T IS RIDICULOUS. I KNOW OF SEVERAL PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING. WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY IS WAS IN THE SHOP AT LEAST 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME MISFIRE PROBLEM AND NOW THAT I'M OUT OF WARRANTY THE PROBLEM IS STILL VERY PERSISTENT. VW NEEDS TO OFFICIALLY RECALL THESE COIL PACKS WITH SOMETHING THAT WORKS PROPERLY. THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO AFFECT MY ABILITY TO PASS MY STATE EMISSIONS TESTING AND SERIOUSLY EFFECTS MY DRIVEABILITY AND RELIABILITY.. VIN # [XXX]... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Dec 16, 2002
CREAKING FROM DOOR JAM AREA ON ACCELERATION/ DECELERATION. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****770759
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 16, 2002
DEALER MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIR PUMP RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR WAS GARAGED EVERY NIGHT. WARRANTY ON PART EXPIRED AT 24000 MILES I HAVE 31000.
Electrical system, Dec 12, 2002
VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS---770753. *AK *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Visibility, Dec 4, 2002
NO SUMMARY. DT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 29, 2002
@ 20000 MILES DESERT VW PERFORMED WARRENTY SERVICE (5 WEEKS AGO) WHICH INCLUDED A COMPLETE BREAK INSPECTION. AT THE TIME NO PROBLEM WAS SEEN. @ 22000 MILES BOTH PADS ON THE BACK WERE TOTALLY GONE. I UNDERSTAND VW USED A THINNER PAD ON THE 2001 JETTA'S. THIS WAS TO CUT DOWN ON NOISE NOTED ON THE 2000 MODELS IN 2002 VW WENT BACK TO THE OLD PADS. I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA, AND DESERT VW. BOTH TOLD ME CHANGING THE BACK BRAKES @ 22000 MILES WAS NORMAL. HOW WAS MY PADS BEING WORN DOWN TO NOTHING MISSED AT 20000? @ 22000 I'M DOING A BRAKE JOB ON THE BACK BRAKES ONLY? IT WOULD SEEM THAT BRAKES, (ON THE BACK), SHOULD LAST 2 TO 1 FROM THE FRONT. THE SHOP THAT DID THE REPAIR SAID HE HAS NEVER ENCOUNTED THIS BEFORE AND THIS SHOP HANDLES IMPORTS ONLY. PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WILL FORWARD ALL INFORMATION TO YOUR OFFICE. I FEEL THIS IS UNSAFE, COSTLY AND CAN BE CORRECTED. DT
Structure, Nov 25, 2002
THE FRONT BUMPER ASSEMBLY ON MY JETTA PARTIALLY DETACHES WHENEVER IT SCRAPES AGAINST A CURB OR PARKING BLOCK. I HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED THREE TIMES AND TRIED TO REPAIR IT MYSELF THREE TIMES. I HAVE SPENT OVER FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MUCH MORE WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THAN IS BEING REPORTED. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE MADE TO REPAIR THE BUMPERS AT NO CHARGE OR RECALL ALL EFFECTED VEHICLES AND STRENGTHEN THE BUMPER ASSEMBLY. *TS *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**770127
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 17, 2002
HAD PROBLEMS PRIOR WITH BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATING WHEN DEPRESSED SLIGHTLY AND ALSO DURING TURNS WITH LOSS OF BRAKE POWER. ABS SYSTEM REPLACED BY LOCAL DEALER. HAD AN INCIDENT AFTER REPLACEMENT. GOING DOWN A HILL AT 45 MPH WITH A RIGHT BEND, APPLIED BRAKES. SAME VIBRATION IN BRAKE PEDAL, NO BRAKING POWER AND STEERING KICKED CAR SHARPLY TO LEFT AND ENDED UP OFF THE ROAD. THEN EVERYTHING SEEMED TO WORK AGAIN BUT STILL EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS CAR GOING IN FOR MORE SERVICE YET AGAIN. DT
Electrical system, Nov 13, 2002
THE CEHCK ENGING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A FAULTY IGNITION COIL. TS *JB
Steering, Nov 13, 2002
THE 2001 VW JETTA HAS HAD THREE O2 (OXYGEN) SENSOR FAILURES SINCE PURCHASE IN SEPTEMBER 2000. IN ADDITION HAVE EXPERIENCED THE NEED, ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP, TO HAVE O2 SENSOR CLEANED, WHICH AGAIN CAUSED ENGINE LIGHT TO APPEAR. HAVE TALKED TO VW OF AMERICA, CLAIM MY JETTA IS NOT ONE OF THE CARS ISSUED AS A RECALL FOR THE O2 ISSUED ON 1/11/2002. YET IT IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM. HAVE SPOKEN TO TWO VW MECHANICS. THEY CLAIM VW IS AWARE THEIR SUPPLIER OF THE PART HAS MANUFACTURED FAULTY O2 SENSORS, YET CONTINUE TO PURCHASE THESE PARTS. TALKED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON AN O2 NEEDING A 'CLEANING'. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THIS SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY FOR ANY VEHICLE. MAKES ME WONDER IF THIS IS TO AVOID THE LEMON LAW -- LIST THE REPAIR AS A CLEANING INSTEAD OF REPLACEMENT. VW OF AMERICA HAS ISSUED ME A CASE NUMBER, YET VW FEELS THIS IS A DEALER PROBLEM NOT A CORPORATE PROBLEM. I STRONGLY DISAGREE, BASED ON HAVING AN O2 SENSOR FAIL FROM TWO VW DEALERSHIPS. THE DEALERSHIPS CAN ONLY SUPPLY THE PARTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER INWHICH VW HAS AUTHORIZED. CONFIDENCE IN VW'S RECALL JARRED. EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR COSUMER SERVICE AND SATISFACTION DISMAL. MY JETTA IS EXPERIENCING SOME SITUATIONS AS THE RECALLED CARS, YET I AM NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL UMBRELLA. HOW DO I BEST PROTECT MY SAFETY, AS WELL AS MY INVESTMENT, MY CAR, WHEN IT COMES TO VW PRACTICES? DT
Air bags, Nov 8, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS AND THE OVERHEAD AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT CONTACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. TS *JG
Service brakes, Air, Nov 4, 2002
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE ABS CONTROL UNIT IN MARCH 2002. AN APPOINTMENT COULD NOT BE MADE UNTIL JULY 10, 2002. THE ABS LIGHT & BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE CAR UNTIL JUNE 25. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY WERE APPALLED THAT UNDER THE SEVERITY OF THE ABS UNIT CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO KEEP DRIVING. *JG
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 31, 2002
VEHICLE WOULD HESTATE AND STALL OUT WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELETOR PEDAL FROM A STOP POSITION. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
Air bags, Oct 21, 2002, crash
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT AT 80MPH IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
Air bags, Oct 17, 2002, crash
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT AT 35MPH IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
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
Tires, Sep 29, 2002
TIRE FLAT, HAS DEVELOPED "BUBBLES" IN SIDEWALL. RUBBER APPEARS TO BE SEPARATING FROM TIRE SIDEWALL. COULD RESULT IN A BLOWOUT. MR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 25, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE INTO HER DRIVE WAY SHE PROCEED TO STOP AND BRAKES FAIL.CONSUMER SAYS THAT THERE IS A RECALL OUT BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE HER VIN NUMBER.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 18, 2002
THERE WAS A FOUL SMELL COMING FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS HAD TO GO TO HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF A RASH DUE TO SOME KIND OF CHEMICAL THAT SHE WAS SMELLING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE. *AK
Visibility, Sep 17, 2002
FIRST MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FAILED WHEN USING THE AUTO DOWN BUTTON. THREE MONTHS LATER THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS NOW FAILED. THE CAR IS ONLY 1 1/2 YEARS OLD.*AK
Air bags, Sep 16, 2002
WHILE COMING OUT OF DRIVEWAY BOTH SIDE AND FRONT AIRBAGS ON PASSANGER'S SEAT DEPLOYED WITH NO REASON.*AK
Structure, Sep 14, 2002
THERE HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH ABNORMAL NOISE IN THE TWO FRONT DOORS OF THE VEHICLE. SO FAR THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO OR WANT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. NLM