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, Nov 2, 2009
OUR 2001 VW JETTA GLS SPUTTERS INTERMITTENTLY AND LOOSES ACCELERATION POWER AT IN OPPORTUNE TIMES. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE IGNITION COIL, AND THAT VW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ARE RECALLING CERTAIN MODELS. OURS HAS NOT HAD THE RECALL AS OF 11/1/09. WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BLINKS. I HAVE FOUND THAT PULLING OVER, SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND REMOVING THE KEY FOR 30 SECONDS AND THEN RE-STARTING SOLVES THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE DEALER PULLED THE CHECK ENGINE CODES, THERE WERE 2. ONE FOR THE MISFIRE AND A "CATALYST EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD. THE DEALER SAID THE LATTER IS DUE TO THE MISFIRE AND IN TIME THE MISFIRES WILL RUIN THE CATALYST. UNFORTUNATELY AT OVER 75000 MILES AND 8.5 YEARS, NO WARRANTIES APPLY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD EASILY CAUSE A COLLISION AND WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, WE WILL HAVE THE IGNITION COIL REPLACED. VW IS CLEARLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS AND SHOULD ACCELERATE THEIR RECALL CAMPAIGN ON THIS ISSUE. ALSO, THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE CATALYSTS THAT HAVE HAD THEIR USEFUL LIFE LOWERED BY THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 21, 2009
2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WOLFSBURG EDITION: CYLINDER 3 MISFIRED DUE TO A FAULTY COILPACK. COILPACK WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER CYLINDERS 2 AND 4 MISFIRE. WHEN THE MECHANIC TESTED THE COILPACKS, THEY WERE WORKING PROPERLY. PRESENTLY, RANDOM CYLINDERS CONTINUE TO MISFIRE EVEN THOUGH BRAND NEW COIL PACKS ARE INSTALLED. THIS CAUSES MY VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND IDLE VERY ROUGH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO FLASH WHICH IS CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY BRAND NEW CAT CONVERTER. *TR
Visibility, Sep 2, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. SHE STATED THAT THE GLASS SEPARATED FROM THE WINDOWS FRAME, THEN FELL DOWN INTO THE WINDOW CREVICE. IF THE OCCUPANTS ARE NOT PROPERLY SECURED IN THE VEHICLE, THE RISK FOR SERIOUS INJURY IS INCREASED. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $260.00 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,000.
Electrical system, Jul 22, 2009, fire
SLIGHT SMELL OF SMOKE IN 2001 VW JETTA WHILE DRIVING. PARKED CAR AT HOME AND RETURNED TO CAR APROX. 30 MINUTES LATER TO FIND CABIN FULL OF SMOKE/SMOLDERING FROM AREA BEHIND RIGHT REAR SEAT. DISCONNECTED BATTERY POSITIVE TERMINAL AND PUT WATER ON SMOLDERING AREA TO EXTINGUISH FIRE. 8-10 INCH HOLE BURNED COMPLETELY THROUGH RIGHT SIDE OF REAR DECK. UPON MY INITIAL INSPECTION IT APPEARS TO HAVE INITIATED FROM THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT WIRING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 19, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH OR LESS, THE VEHICLE WOULD REV AND PERFORMED AS IF IT WOULD STALL. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 100,000.
Electrical system, Mar 10, 2009
THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. THE EPC LIGHT COMES ON SPORADICALLY, THUS MAKING YOU LOSE POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN YOU HAVE NO POWER IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND YOU HAVE TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND RESTART HOPING THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF UNTIL YOU CAN GET TO YOUR DESTINATION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME FOR APPARENTLY NO REASON. WE HAVE HAD IT DIAGNOSED BUT WITH NO RESULTS. HELP!! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 23, 2009
FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IT HAS BEEN STUTTERING WHILE IDLE. I HAVE REPLACED THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR, MASTER SENSOR, SEVERAL HOSES AND CONNECTORS AND PARTS OF THE ENGINE. NOW IT STOPS WHILE I'M WAITING AT RED LIGHTS. *TR
Air bags, Feb 10, 2009, crash
DEAR SIR/MADAM, I HAD AN ACCIDENT A FEW DAYS AGO WHERE I CRASHED INTO A CAR INFRONT OF ME. I HAD MY MOTHER ON IN THE PASSENGERS SEAT , AND MY SISTER AND BROTHER IN THE REAR SEATS. MY AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE THE PASSENGERS AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY , NOTE THAT THE CRASH WAS MAINLY ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. I RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES WHILE MY MOTHER WAS SEVERELY INJURED AND IS STILL IN HOSPITAL. *TR
Exterior lighting, Feb 4, 2009
I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT ONLY ALLOWS ME TO GET A REPAIR AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA 4 HOURS FROM THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP. THEY WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO REPAIR IT LOCALLY AND GET RE-IMBURSED. IT IS 4 HOURS TO THIS DEALERSHIP MEANING AN OVERNIGHT STAY. THE TOTAL COST OF THE TRIP IS MORE THAN THE REPAIR. IS THERE ANY OPTION TO GET THIS REPAIRED LOCALLY? NO ACCIDENT..........YET. THE RECALL IS FOR A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TR
Visibility, Jan 21, 2009
DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW REPEATEDLY FALLS INTO DOOR DESPITE NUMEROUS REPAIRS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 2, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A USED CAR AND, WITHIN THE SAME WEEK, IT BEGAN TO STALL. THE DEALER COULD FIND NO FAILURES. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND THEY GAVE HER A LIST OF ALL THE FAILURES. THE LIST INCLUDED THE TRANSMISSION, RATTLING IN THE ENGINE, AND THE BRAKE SENSORS. THERE ARE FOUR DIFFERENT TIRES ON THE VEHICLE AND EACH ARE THE INCORRECT SIZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DOES NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR ALL THESE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Structure, Dec 16, 2008
I BOUGHT MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA USED IN JULY 2006. EVER SINCE, THERE HAS BEEN A HORRIBLE SMELL OF CRAYONS INFUSED THROUGHOUT MY CAR. I TRIED EVERYTHING TO GET THE SMELL OUT. HOWEVER, THIS SMELL IS BECOMING A DAILY BURDEN FOR ME TO EVEN DRIVE THE CAR FOR MORE THAN 5 MINUTES SINCE I GET HEADACHES AND REALLY AFFECTS MY ALLERGIES. I TRIED TO RESEARCH THIS SMELL AND FOUND MANY FORUMS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM SAYING THAT IT IS COMING FROM A CHEMICAL IN THE CARPET. I AM CONFUSED AS TO WHY VOLKSWAGEN IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT CAN BE VERY SERIOUS. CHEMICALS SEEPING THROUGH THE CARPETS AND THE DRIVER BREATHING IT IN EVERY TIME THEY DRIVE IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT A DRIVER SHOULD BE WORRYING ABOUT. A CAR IS UNSAFE ENOUGH BUT TO ADD TOXINS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I DIDN'T PAY FOR A CAR TO GET HEADACHES AND BREATH IN CHEMICALS WHEN I DRIVE IT. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO A PROBLEM THAT HAS REALLY BECOME A BURDEN ON MY EVERYDAY LIFE! *TR
Power train, Nov 29, 2008
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED, FAILS TO SHIFT. *TR
Power train, Nov 13, 2008
2001 VW JETTA VR6 FOR YEARS MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS OCCASIONALLY SLIPPED WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. ALSO, MY GEAR SELECTOR SLIPS BETWEEN "D" AND "3" WITHOUT AN RESISTANCE. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, WITH MY CAR BEING REGULARLY MAINTAINED, THIS PROBLEM BECAME PERSISTENT. NOW, EVERY TIME THE CAR SHIFTS FROM 2ND TO 3RD THE CAR SHIFTS/BUCKS VERY HARD. ALSO, THE GEAR SELECTOR EASILY MOVES FROM "D" TO "3" AND WHILE IN "3" THE DASH STILL SHOWS THE CAR TO BE IN "D". I'M AFRAID THIS IS GOING TO DROP MY TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING. I'VE ASKED TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND ONE SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE, WHILE THE OTHER SAID THAT IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS CAR BECAUSE VW PUT POOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS IN THESE CARS. I ALSO HAVE THE CRAYON SMELL IN MY CAR THAT DOES MAKE ME AND MY PASSENGERS SOMEWHAT ILL FEELING. HOWEVER, I'M MORE CONCERNED WITH MY TRANSMISSION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Nov 3, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TEN TIMES AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE AIR FILTER SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Oct 30, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE FAILED, WHICH PREVENTED A CRASH FROM OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109,000. UPDATED 11/25/08. *LJ WHEN THE ENGINE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, THE FORCE PUSHED THE DRIVER BACK INTO THE SEAT. THE SPEED WAS SO GREAT, THAT THE ENGINE REDLINE AND BLEWOUT THE MOTOR. UPDATED 11/25/08. *JB
Air bags, Oct 24, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF IMPACT BEING INVOLVED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO THEN CALLED THE DEALER. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS ON THE PHONE, ANOTHER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AT THE TIME. ANOTHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AT THE DEALER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNTIL THEY NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER; HOWEVER, THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE MOTHERBOARD. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,412 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,402.
Air bags, Oct 16, 2008
I OWN A 2001 JETTA, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2008 I WAS DRIVING IN CALIFORNIA FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES WHEN MY AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING ON AND OFF. ABOUT EVERY 10-15 SECONDS IT WOULD TURN ON, THEN 15 SECONDS LATER IT WOULD TURN OFF. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER I WAS ON THE 91 FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND GOING ABOUT 5-10 MPH IN THE SLOW LANE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A BIG EXPLOSION. IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMEONE THREW A LARGE CEMENT BLOCK AT MY WINDOW AND I FELT A SURGE UP PAIN RUSH UP MY LEFT SIDE OF MY BODY TOWARDS MY FINGERTIPS. I IMMEDIATELY STARTED CHOKING DUE TO THE POWDER THAT WAS COMING FROM MY CAR WHEN I REALIZED IT WAS MY AIRBAG. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND ASSESSED THE DAMAGE. THE SIDE AIRBAG CAME OUT FROM THE SEAT OF MY CAR AND THRUST ME TO THE RIGHT OF MY CAR. I COULD NOT HEAR IN MY LEFT EAR AND THE LEFT SIDE OF MY BODY (FROM MY SHOULDER DOWN TO MY HIP, DOWN TO MY FINGERS) WAS THROBBING. MY LEFT PINKY AND RING FINGER BECAME NUMB AND EVEN THOUGH I ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN, I COULD BARELY BREATHE AND COULD NOT STOP COUGHING. AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, I GOT BACK ON THE ROAD AND STAYED IN THE SLOW LANE NOT PROCEEDING 40 MPH. *TR
Air bags, Sep 26, 2008
TODAY, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS 1.8T DOWN THE ROAD. THE RIGHT SIDE WHEELS WENT A FEW INCHES OFF THE EDGE OF THE ROAD. SHE REMAINED STRAIGHT AND GUIDED THE CAR BACK ONTO THE ROAD. ONCE BACK ON THE ROAD FULLY, THE SIDE AIRBAG (DRIVER'S SIDE) DEPLOYED. SHE WAS ABLE TO GUIDE THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TO THE SHOULDER. THERE WAS NO IMPACT WITH ANYTHING. THERE IS NO DAMAGE. THE TIRES AREN'T EVEN DIRTY. SHE RECEIVED A WELT ON HER LEFT ARM, (PROBABLY SOON TO BE A BRUISE.) SHE HAS A RINGING IN HER LEFT EAR AND A REDUCTION IN HEARING (PROBABLY TEMPORARY.) A VERY SCARY SITUATION. IT JUST HAPPENED TODAY AND I'M NOT CERTAIN WHAT STEPS TO TAKE FROM HERE. I KNOW IT IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR TO REPLACE AN AIRBAG AND I WILL BE VERY NERVOUS ABOUT MY DAUGHTER DRIVING THIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY IF A MINOR BUMP IN THE ROAD MIGHT SET HER AIRBAG OFF AND CAUSE HER TO CRASH AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 26, 2008
MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HAS ALWAYS HAD A BURNING CRAYON SMELL AND HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE. I THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY MY CAR UNTIL I LOOKED ONLINE AND SAW THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON DIFFERENT FORUMS ABOUT THE SAME THING. THE MAIN CONCERN IS IF THIS SMELL IS TOXIC. ON DAYS THAT THE SMELL IS WORSE I TEND TO GET A HEADACHE. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Structure, Aug 24, 2008
I HAVE A 2001 JETTA AND IS HAS A CRAYON SMELL IN IT. IT GETS WORST IN THE HEAT. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE CORPORATE OFFICE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET HOWEVER IT CONTINUES TO BE IGNORED. IT IS TO THE POINT WHERE I GET A HEADACHE WHEN I'M IN THE CAR. I READ ONE COMPLAINT SAID IT WAS A TYPE OF PLASTIC WAX JETTA USES IN THE VEHICLE AND THAT PRODUCT IS TOXIC. I HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL OPTIONS AND DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE I CAN DO TO GET THEM TO DO A RECALL ON THIS MATTER DUE TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. *TR
Visibility, Aug 20, 2008
FRONT SIDE WINDOW REGULATORS FAILED PREMATURELY LEAVING WINDOWS DOWN AND UNUSABLE. RIGHT SIDE FAILED 7-27-07 AT 44,896 MILES (REPAIR COST $350.73) AND LEFT SIDE 8-20-08 AT 49945 MILES (REPAIR COST $334.45). ON THE RIGHT SIDE THE GLASS SHATTERED SPRAYING OVER THE PASSENGER AND SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW ON 6-11-01 AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Aug 12, 2008, crash
I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 JETTA HOME AFTER DROPPING MY FRIEND OFF AT THE AIRPORT, WHEN OUT OF NO WHERE DEER JUMPED OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY. I WAS DRIVING AT 80 MILES AN HOUR AND DID NOT HAVE ANY TIME TO REACT. I HIT THE DEER, DESTROYING THE FRONT OF MY CAR. THE CAR WASN'T IN ANY CONDITION TO BE DRIVEN, FOR THE RADIATOR HAD BEEN DESTROYED. I WAS UPSET AT THE FACT THAT MY AIRBAGS WEREN'T DEPLOYED. I'M GLAD THAT I WAS WEARING A SEATBELT, FOR I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. I WANT TO KNOW IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE, OR SHOULD I CONTACT A LAWYER? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Exterior lighting, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 7, 2008
I OWN A 2001 VW JETTA. I BOUGHT IT 3 YEARS AGO, USED FROM THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. THE AUTOMOBILE WAS SOLD AS A "CERTIFIED" AUTO, WHICH I FOUND OUT LATER DOES NOT MEAN MUCH. MY TRUNK IS LOCKED SHUT AND DOES NOT OPEN MANUALLY OR WITH REMOTE, I'VE HAD TO REPLACE CV BOOTS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, TRANSMISSION AND NUMEROUS HEADLIGHT, TAILLIGHT AND BLINKER BULBS. AND TODAY ONE OF MY HEADLIGHTS IS SO DIM, IT DOESN'T REALLY PROVIDE ANY LIGHT WHEN IT IS DARK. I HAVE REPLACED IT AND REPLACED IT. IT STAYS FINE FOR ABOUT 2 DAYS AND THEN JUST DIMS OUT AGAIN. I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP TAKING IT TO VOLKSWAGEN. IT'S A RIP OFF AND THEY DON'T EVEN FIX ANYTHING RIGHT ANYWAY. MY ENGINE FAN WENT OUT ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE OTHER DAY, CAUSING THE CAR TO OVERHEAT. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED. THAT ISN'T THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT TOWED. THE INTERIOR PLASTIC COATING ON ARMRESTS AND ALL PLASTIC INSIDE IS PEELING AND LOOKS TERRIBLE. WHEN I PUSH UNLOCK ALL DOORS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK SEAT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS I REACH INSIDE AND PULL THE LOCK OPEN MANUALLY. THERE IS SO MUCH MORE, BUT I DON'T WANT TO WASTE MY TIME. I KNOW NOTHING WILL HAPPEN, EVEN THOUGH IT IS SO OBVIOUS THAT THESE CARS ARE COMPLETE LEMONS, AND THEY NEED TO STOP SELLING THEM TO PEOPLE. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 30, 2008
2001 VW JETTA EPC LIGHT COMES ON ALOT. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. CAR SLOWS DOWN TO 20 MPH OR LESS. HAVE SEEN COMPLAINTS THAT THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. THIS IS UNSAFE OR MYSELF AND MY 2 SMALL CHILDREN. *TR