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.
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
Seat belts, Feb 5, 2002, crash
VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED AND THE FRONT PASSENGERS SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK UP. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK *JB
Structure, Feb 5, 2002
TRUNK ON VEHICLE WILL AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK BY ITSELF WHETHER CONSUMER IS DRIVING OR NOT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK
Suspension, Feb 3, 2002
ALL MAJOR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF QUITE WELL, HOWEVER I HAVE HAD A CONSTANT CREAKING NOISE IN BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOOR AS WELL AS A KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS ORIGINALLY REPORTED AT 7,000 MILES AND 7 TRIPS TO THE DEALER LATER AND 13,000 MILES LATER NEITHER PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED.*AK
Structure, Jan 30, 2002
FRONT BUMPER GROUND EFFECTS ARE OBVIOUSLY DESIGNED TOO LOW. BESIDES SCRAPING IN DRIVEWAYS, THE BUMPER HAS BEEN PULLED OFF SEVERAL TIMES WHEN LEAVING A PARKED SPACE WITH A CONCRETE 'TIRE BUMPER'. THESE WERE OBVIOUSLY MEANT TO STOP THE TIRES OF THE CAR, AND NOT PULL THE WHOLE BUMPER OFF. THE DEALER CHARGED ME TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC LINING, WHICH WAS PULLED FROM THE BUMPER AND HAD WORN AGAINST THE TIRE. THE BUMPER IS NO LONGER SECURELY FASTENED AS THE PARTS ARE WEARING DOWN. CORPORATE WAS OF NO HELP AND WOULD NOT REIMBURSE OR SUGGEST A COURSE OF ACTION TO AVOID FUTURE PROBLEMS. I WILL NOT BE KEEPING THIS CAR THROUGH THE TERM I EXPECTED AND WILL NOT RECOMMEND ONE TO ANYONE SHOPPING. TOO BIG OF A HASTLE TO DEAL WITH. FORTUNATELY I DIDN'T GET THE SPORT SUSPENSION, WHICH WOULD HAVE THE BUMPER EVEN LOWER TO THE GROUND. IT'S NOT A FARRARI, FOR PETE'S SAKE.*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
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 31, 2001, crash
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 50MPH FRONT END COLLISION. FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK ONE PERSON WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC
Air bags, Dec 26, 2001, crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISOIN AT 50MPH, UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULING IN MINOR INJURIES TO DRIVER. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 18, 2001
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. BRAKE PADS WERE WORN OUT. THERE WAS METAL TO METAL NOISE, AND ROTORS WERE RUINED. DEALER SAID THAT REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDEDTO BE REPLACED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 30, 2001
VW DEALER REFUSES TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM, NOR DO THEY RECOGNIZE THE BRAKE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE'S FUEL INJECTORS HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND WAS SERVICED ON 11-28-01 BY THE DEALER. THEY REFUSE TO COOPERATE WITH ME IN WORKING THESE MATTERS OUT IN A FAIR MANNER. *AK
Air bags, Nov 15, 2001
PASSENGER "WINDOW CURTAIN" AIRBAG AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO IMPACT, LOSS OF CONTROL IN DRIVING VEHICLE, OR ANYOTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *AK IE04-078*PO
Vehicle speed control, Nov 13, 2001
ON OCT. 7,2001 ( FOUR DAYS AFTER TAKING DELIVERY), I WAS SLOWLY MERGING INTO TRAFFIC . WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL, THERE WAS NO ACCERLATION FOR A FEW SECONDS (CAR JUST IDLED) AND THEN SUDDENLY, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC AT A HIGH SPEED WITH THE TIRES SCREECHING. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TWICE MORE ON OCTOBER 17, 2001 WHEN TURNING LEFT AT INTERSECTIONS; THEN ABOUT 10 TIMES ON OCTOBER 17 WHILE EITHER MAKING TURNS OR DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC; TWICE ON NOV.7; AND, TWICE MORE ON NOV. 13. WE WERE AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR ON OCT. 25 AND HAD TOWED TO CLOSEST DEALER. CAR HAS BEEN TO SERVICE DEPT. TWICE, ON 10/22 AND 10/25. DEFECT NOT FOUND OR REPAIRED. WE ARE TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR AS WE WERE ALMOST IN 5 ACCIDENTS.*AK
Structure, Nov 13, 2001
WHEN I PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE WITH A CONCRETE TIRE BUMPER, THE BUMPER GOT CAUGHT WHEN I PULLED OUT AND CAUSED THE PARKING LIGHT GRILL COVERS TO POP OUT. THE SERV. DEPT. REPLACXED THEM, NO CHARGE. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED THEY ACCUSED ME OF "RUNNING OVER THE TOP" OF SOMETHING, AND DAMAGING THE CAR, WHICH I DID NOT DO. THE MANUFACTURERS REFUSE TO FIX IT SAYING IT IS AN INSURANCE ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH THE SER. DEPT. TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT WITH OTHER CARS, AND EVEN THE MANAGER OF THE SERV. DEPT. SAID IT HAPPENED TO HER JETTA! I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD FIX IT WITHOUT CHARGE, SINCE IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN DEFECT. *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?
Structure, Nov 4, 2001
I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT WITH A CONCRETE TIRE BUMPER. I JUST ROLLED INTO THE SPOT WAITING FOR MY TIRES TO HIT THE BUMPER BUT MY BUMPER HIT AND WHEN I TRIED TO PULL OUT, MY WHOLE BUMPER JUST PULLED RIGHT OFF OF THE CAR. UMPER
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
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 31, 2001
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHEN CHECKING THE DIPSTICK THERE WAS NO OIL, SO THE CONSUMER ADDED 1 QUART OF OIL AND CALLED THE DEALER, THE DEALER IS RUNNING AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST, BUT IN THE MEANTIME THE ENGINE IS STILL USING ALMOST A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. *SLC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 2, 2001
I'VE COME TO MY CAR SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE FOUND THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON. AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES, THEY COME OFF, BUT MANAGED TO COME ON AGAIN AFTER CLOSING THE DOOR. MORE DISTURBING, HOWEVER, IS THE FACT THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON, YOUR FOOT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK; IT ASSUMES YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT GOOD; NOT TO MENTION THE DRAIN ON THE BATTERY. HAVE THERE BEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS REPORTED?*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Oct 1, 2001, fire
ABS LIGHT CAME ON AT STARTUP, CONTACTED DEALER SERVICE AND TOLD THEM OF THE PROBLEM, ASKED IF SAFE TO DRIVE. THEY REPLIED YES WITHOUT ABS. DROVE 30MI HOME, STOPPED AND SHUTOFF CAR, 1MINUTE LATER, LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD AND IN CABIN. FIRE DEPT RESPONDED. NO VISIBLE FLAME, BUT BURNED WIRING WAS EVIDENT. DEALER HAS ONLY CONFIRMED SO FAR THAT THE ABS CONTROLLER, PUMP AND WIRING HARNESS HAS SHORTED OUT.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Sep 19, 2001
VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED/ ANY TIME. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. TAKEN TO DEALER WHO REPAIRED. HOWEVER, VEHICLE STALLS ON A DAILY BASIS, TAKEN TO DEALER 6 TIMES, CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK
Air bags, Sep 12, 2001, crash
WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE FOR REASON OF THIS FAILURE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 30, 2001
BRAKE DO NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED ON THE FIRST VISIT THAT THERE WAS AN AIR POCKET IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM, NEW BRAKE FLUID WAS ADDED AND THE BRAKES WERE REBLEED, HOWEVER CONSUMER BEGAN EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM AGAIN AND THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING WHICH WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER IS AGAIN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.*JB
Air bags, Aug 22, 2001, crash
THIS JETTA WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS TOTALED. ANOTHER CAR MADE A LEFT-HAND TURN AND T-BONED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE THE CAR SPUN AROUND INTO A DITCH. AT SOME POINT, THE PASSENGER REAR CORNER UNDERSIDE WAS SEVERLY DENTED UP INTO THE TRUNK. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER FRONT DASH AIR BAG DEPLOYED. BUT THE DRIVER'S STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SINCE ALL OTHER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, EXCEPT THIS ONE, I AM REQUESTING THAT THIS BE ANALYZED AND TESTED. IT WAS NOT A FRONTAL COLLISON, BUT SINCE THE PASSENGER FRONT DASH AIRBAG DEPLOYED, I THINK IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY DAMAGED, SO WHY SHOULD ONE FRONT AIRBAG GO OFF BUT NOT THE OTHER.*AK
Air bags, Aug 15, 2001
WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK IE04-078*PO