2001 Volkswagen Jetta: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 668 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (14% of complaints); the 1999 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 668 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“2001 volkswagen jetta. Consumer stated that airbags did not deploy during auto accident. *ld the consumer was severely injured. The vehicle was totaled. *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2020
“The change in gears feels rough. It seems as if the gears are skipping or being forced. I was driving the vehicle and I went to accelerate the gas pedal pressed down but the car did not accelerate and the check engine light came on and started flashing. When accelerating the cars feels as if it is struggling.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2019
“I was driving on the road like 35 or 40 mph and all the sudden the passenger's airbag exploded,, the one from the seat and the curtain airbag one ... I almost went down out of the road ... It got me by surprise”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Starter problem. When starting the car most times will screech really loud. Led to the conclusion it is the starter from online forums of owners of same generation jettas. Seems to be a premature wear item. Car has under 130,000 miles and other cars of same age and mileage do not have this issue. Fell like there is a fault with the starter.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2017
“Car will stall at a 1/4 tank of gas when in motion. It will do this at any speed or on any road going uphill or down hill. Have put 3 new fuel pumps in changed the fuel pump solenoid and still have the problem. This has been going on for a year now.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2016
“The weld holding the drivers seat to the floor board broke off. This car has never been in an accident and has very minimal rust.”Owner report · Seats · Jun 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volkswagen jetta. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle overheated and stalled without warning, the parking brake failed, and the rear driver side door had issues opening. The contact also stated that the vehicle leaked fluid. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the main coolant fan, engine valve cover gasket, both rear shock and mounts, both front strut mounts, front lower control arm bushing, and both outer tie rods needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 137,354.”Owner report · Parking Brake · Feb 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volkswagen jetta. While driving various speeds, the brakes seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2016
“My ABS light has been on and I don't know how to get it to turn off. My traction control light has been on and don't know how to get it off. I have bought a new coil pack and spark plugs and spark plug wires and now my check engine has came back on.please help me with this car.thanks.god bless u.”Owner report · Wheels · Jan 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that there was a strong abnormal odor of fuel coming from the rear interior seat area. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was awaiting diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 40 of these complaints and injuries in 47 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).
Remedy: 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Remedy: 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Jetta by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
NHTSA has 668 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. The most complained-about area is electrical system (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Volkswagen Jetta problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 50,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:owners/service/other manual. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.