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.
Other or unspecified, May 6, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Air bags, May 6, 2002
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, BOTH THE DRIVERS SIDE AND SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO CAUSE FOR THE DEPLOYMENT SUCH AS ACCIDENT OR COLLISION. THE CAR WAS STOPPED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIODENT. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IS BEING EVALUATED BY VW AT THIS TIME FOR A CAUSE OF THE DEPLOYMENT. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, May 4, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 2, 2002
CONSUMER STATES HIS DAUGHTER 2001 JETTA HAS 17000 MILES ON IT AND THE REAR BRAKES ARE GONE.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 2, 2002
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A BURNING WIRE SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE, PRIOR TO THE RECALL # 02 V 031 000. ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED.*JBCONSUMER WAS TOLD BY DEALER THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SERIOUS AND DID NOT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION, HOWEVER THE ABS FAILURE EVENTUALLY DRAINED THE BATTERY. *JG
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, Apr 28, 2002
DISCOVERED CAR WAS BURNING OIL ALTHOUGH IT GAVE NO INDICATIONS. TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL BY DEALER. CAR ALMOST STALLED ON THREE OCCASIONS UNDER 20000 MILES. OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED AFTER CAR ALMOST STALLED ON MAJOR HIGHWAY IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FIXED AFTER THREE SEPERATE TRIPS TO DEALER. CAR HAS HAD ALL SHEDULED OIL CHANGES AND MAINTAINENCE SINSE PURCHASE.
Suspension, Apr 27, 2002
REAR LEFT WHEEL BEARING WAS MAKING NOISE AND CAUSING PULLING DURING LEFT HAND CURVES. THE GREASE WAS LIKE POWDER AND SMELLED BURNED. THE INNER RACES AND THE BEARINGS WERE PITTED BADLY. WITH THE CAR RAISED THE TIRE WOBBLED A QUARTER INCH. IT MADE NOISE WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, I WAS TOLD IT WAS TIRE NOISE. *TS ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***761260
Structure, Apr 25, 2002
I HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS REPEATEDLY WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE CONCERNING THE INFERIOR MATERIAL USED TO UPHOLSTER THE JETTA TDI (GLS). I STATED TO THEM THAT IT WAS LIKE DRIVING A GIANT LINT BRUSH! ANY CLOTHING YOU WEAR STICKS TO THE SEATS AND DOORSAND ON A GOOD DAY, EVEN THE CEILING! THE OPERATOR I SPOKE WITH WAS VERY POLITE WHEN HE ASKED ME WHAT I THOUGHT THE RESOLUTION SHOULD BE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM? I STATED TO HIM THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE COMPLETELY REUPHOLSTERED AT VW'S EXPENSE!AT WHICH POINT, HE OFFERED TO SEND ME A KIT TO HELP DEAL WITH THE LINT PROBLEM. I ASKED IF THEY HAD RECEIVED A VOLUME OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND THE OPERATOR STATED, NO. I ASKED HIM, WHY DO YOU CONVENIENTLY HAVE A KIT AVAILABLE FOR A PROBLEM YOU SAY DOES NOT EXIST? WELL NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE CALL WAS VERY SILENT FOR A MINUTE OR TWO. THE KIT CONSISTED OF (1) LINT BRUSH, (EXACTLY LIKE THE ONE I PURCHASED PREVIOUSLY), AND (1) 3M CLOTH. IT IS TRULY A MYSTERY WHAT VW EXPECTS ME TO DO WITH THE 3M CLOTH...I SUPPOSE I COULD USE IT TO MUFFLE MY SCREAMS OF FRUSTRATION!*AK
Seats, Apr 25, 2002
A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE DEALERSHIP CONCERNING THE FACT THAT MY DRIVER SEAT IS LOOSE AND AN AUDIBLE CLICKING SOUND WAS PRESENT AS I BRAKED OR MADE SHARP TURNS. THE SERVICEMAN OFFERED TO "TAKE A RIDE" WITH ME WHEN I RETURN FOR MY NEXT CHECK UP (OF COURSE THAT DID NOT HAPPEN). ADDITIONALLY, THEY STATED DURING THE INITIAL COMPLAINT, THEY DID NOT HEAR OR SEE EVIDENCE OF MY CONCERNS!*AK
Electrical system, Apr 24, 2002
WHEN KEY IS PUT INTO IGNITION SECURITY SYSTEM ACTIVATES AND OPERATES ERRACTICALLY. HORN BLOWS, AND HEADLIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF. DEALER HAS REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS; HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Air bags, Apr 24, 2002, crash
OLLISION AT 35 MPH , ANDUPON IMPACT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO DRIVER. MANUFACTURE WILL BE NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Electrical system, Apr 23, 2002
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT HEADLIGHT SYSTEM WOULD DIM POORLY WHEN OPERATING OTHER ELECTRICAL SWITCHES SUCH AS POWER WINDOWS, WIPERS ETC. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND STATED THAT WAS NORMAL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Structure, Apr 23, 2002
WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE DRIVER'S DOOR WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN OR BY WASHING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 23, 2002
VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING, DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROBLEM ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 23, 2002
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN SNOW OR ICY CONDITIONS IT CAUSES BRAKES TO LOCK UP OR FREEZES UP. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY THING WRONG, BUT THE PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
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
Electrical system, Structure, Equipment, Apr 18, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE ALARM SOUNDS AND HORN GOES OFF AND LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN OPENING DOORS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE ILLUMINATED ENTRY AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKS WERE NOT WORKING. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED WIRING AND RELAY IN THE DOORS, THE RADIO IGNITION SWITCH, AND DOOR LOCK, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE DEALER NOW STATES THAT THERE IS NOTHING FURTHER THEY CAN DO. NLM FRONT BUMER PULLED LOOSE. BUMPER AND LOWER FACIA REINSTALLED. *TT
Visibility, Apr 15, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
Air bags, Seats, Mar 28, 2002
CONSUMER STATE WHILE TRAVELING WITHOUT ANY INDICATION AIR BAG INDICATION LIGHT STARTED FLASHING THROUGH OUT TRAVEL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *NLM THE AIR BAG LIGHT DID NOT REMAIN ON ANY MORE AFTER THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK COVER WAS REPLACED SINCE THE ORIGINAL ONE WAS STAIN. *YH
Air bags, Mar 27, 2002
THE CONSUMER HIT A POTHOLE WHILE DRIVING, AFTER HITTING THE POTHOLE THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD BAG AND SAW THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR AG DEPLOYED ALONG WITH THE SEAT AIR BAG. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLRM. NLM IE04-078*PO
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
Air bags, Mar 12, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, INJURING PASSENGER. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, THE AIR BAG LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AND SIDE CURTAIN DEPLOYED, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMERS WIFE.*JB IE04-078*PO
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
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