WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH TRANSMISSION JERKED BEFORE SHIFTING GEARS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
2001 Volkswagen Jetta complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2001 record →
PLEASE REFER TO CASE/ODI: 8022481; RESPECTFULLY REQUEST CASE BE REEVALUATED. VW CLAIMS SMALL DING ON UNDERSIDE OF VW JETTA IS TO BLAME FOR SIDE AND SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS. THEY ARE WRONG AND ARE TRYING TO USE THIS EXCUSE TO GET OUT OF NUMEROUS FAULTY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS. NO VW EXPERTS COULD ANSWER MY SPECIFIC TECHNICAL QUESTIONS. THE OWNER'S MANUAL SPECIFICALLY STATES REASONS FOR AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS, AND THE SMALL DING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLE IS A NOT A REASON; INSTEAD IT SERVES AS AN UNSUPPORTED EXCUSE. [JETTA RIDE EXTREMELY LOW TO GROUND; THERE WILL ALWAYS BE DINGS, MARKS, ETC., FOR THE VW CORPORATION TO USE AS AN EXCUSE.]*AK
THE HEATING ELEMENT FOR THE HEATED SEAT BECAME SO HOT IT MELTED THE LEATHER SEAT OF THE CONSUMER'S 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. *NM THE DEALER STATED THAT LIQUID APPEARED TO BE SPLIT ON THE LEATHER SEATS CAUSING THE DEVICE TO SHORT OUT AND OVERHEAT WHICH CAUSED THE DEVICE TO SHORT OUT AND OVERHEAT WHICH CAUSED THE DAMAGE. THE CONSUMER INQUIRED ABOUT COMPENSATION. *SC *JB
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON MY 2001 VW JETTA WAS REPLACED BY A VW DEALER IN JULY OF 2004 AS A RESULT OF A RECALL NOTICE FROM VW OF AMERICA. THIS SAME SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY A VW DEALER ON 2/28/05 AS A RESULT OF A FAILURE.*AK
WHILE TURNING ON THE TURN SIGNALS THEY FAILED TO COME ON THEIR OWN. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL FLASHER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
2001 JETTA- MAKES WINDING NOISE AT 40 MPH, EAR PIERCING, TECHNICIANS CLAIM THIS IS NORMAL BUT OVERPOWERS RADIO? UNACCEPTABLE. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ERRATICALLY ALL THE TIME, CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD WHEN AT A STOP WHEN FOOT TAKEN OFF BRAKE PEDAL. CAR MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. *NM
THE FLASHER AND WARNING LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE DUE TO THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH RECALL DEFECT 04V584000. THE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. *NM
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SIDE/FRONT AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED . THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
I WAS AT A FULL STOP AT A RED LIGHT WAITING TO CROSS A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY. AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO PUSH ON THE BRAKES HARDER. THIS DID NOTHING. THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING TO SUCH A RATE THAT THE BACK END STARTED FISHTAILING AROUND TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE A CDL LICENSE AND REACTED BY PUTTING THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. THIS REACTION DEFINITELY SAVED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS DOING ITS BEST TO FORCE ME INTO MOVING TRAFFIC. THE NEXT PERSON THIS HAPPENS TO MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP. AFTER KEEPING MY CAR 2 WEEKS, THEY STILL COULDN'T COME UP WITH A PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION FOR WHY THIS HAPPENED. THEY DID REMOVE THE ON/OFF BUTTON FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE ME THAT THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE MALFUNTION. NORMALLY THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD DE-ACTIVATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PRESSED. I REMAIN WITHOUT A REASONABLE EXPLANATION OR REPAIR.*AK
THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE AIR BAG AT A COST TO THE CONSUMER. *NM
PAASENEGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION IN DECEMBER WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER. ALL TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS DEAD AS OF FEBRUARY 11, 2005. I SAW SOME POSTINGS ABOUT A RECALL ON AN INTERNET SITE. THE DEALER HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT RECALLED THE VEHICLE YET . THE NHTSA WEB SITE LISTS THIS PROBLEM TO BE RECALLED THIS MONTH. *AK
MY 2001 VW JETTA, VIN 3VWSB69M100479, EXPERIENCED TURN SIGNAL FAILURE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE HAZARD WARNING FLASHER/SWITCH. THIS SWITCH IS SUBJECT TO RECALL ID 04V5840000. VOLKSWAGON HAS TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE FAILURE IS EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED ON THE WEB POSTING FOR THIS RECALL. IS THERE ANY CRITERIA RELATED TO THIS RECALL WHICH EXCLUDES MY VEHICLE?*AK
THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT NHTSA RECALL 04V584000 ON THE HAZARD SWITCH DOES NOT EXIST. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
2001 VW JETTA TDI - TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE @ 68,000 MILES. WARRANTY WAS UP AT 50K. VW STATED THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, EXCEPT CHARGE ME $3800 FOR A FACTORY REFERBED TRANSMITION (PART ONLY). 68,000 MILES ON THIS CAR WOULD BE CONSIDERED A GOOD BREAK IN MILAGE NOT AN OOPS YOU GOT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMITION. I AM VERY UNSATISFIED THAT VW WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT EVEN THOUGH IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. 68,000 MILES ON A TOTALLY SEALED TRANSMITION. NOT EVEN A DIP STICK TO CHECK FLUIDS. NO LEAKS WERE PRESENT, NO WARRNING SIGNS, JUST INSTANT FAILURE. FIRST AND LAST VW FOR ME. CONSUMERS BE AZWARE!!!!! *AK
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. MY SON-IN-LAW LAST YEAR WAS DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY AND THEY JUST WENT OFF. THANK GOODNESS NO ONE WAS HURT. HAD HE HAD HIS KIDS IN THE CAR, LORD ONLY KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THEY LIVE IN TOLEDO, OHIO. THEY HAVE SINCE GOTTEN IT FIXED OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET, AND NO COOPERATION BY VOLKSWAGEN OF ANY KIND. MY SON ALSO HAS A JETTA AND IT CAUSED ME CONCERN FOR HIM AND HIS WIFE ALSO. THEY LIVE IN PORTLAND, OREGON.*AK
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE IT STALLED. CONSUMER HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED , BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
I JUST PURCHASED IN OCTOBER A JETTA GLS 2001 CAR FROM THE VW DEALERSHIP IN COLLEGE PARK MARYLAND. LAST MONTH WHILE I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, I HIT THE CURB WITH MY TIRE BUT NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS DONE NOR ANOTHER CAR INVOLVED. TO MY ALARM, MY AIRBAG ON MY RIGHT FRONT SEAT SIDE DEPLOYED. I TOOK THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID AIRBAGS DON'T GO OFF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ECT. THEY WOULD NOT HEAR MY COMPLAINT NOR HELP ME. NOW I WITNESSED ON THE FOX NEWS THAT THESE JETTA MAKE/MODELS HAVE FALSE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND 109 CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED. I WANT TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST AND ALSO I WANT TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. THIS IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY ISSUE BUT AN OUTRAGE. THE DEALERSHIP NEEDS TO FIX MY CAR. IN FACT, I HAVE A 3 YR WARRANTY ON MY CAR BUT THE VW DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO GO THROUGH MY INSURANCE OR PAY $1900 FOR THEM TO FIX IT. *JB
2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAS IMPACTED ON TH ESIDE YET THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR *TT *NM
NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V584000; VOLKSWAGEN ISSUED A HAZARD SWITCH RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH THE HAZARD SWITCH NOT FUNCTIONING. *AK
WHILE DRIVING SMOKE FILLED IN CAR, FLAMES APPEARED BETWEEN DRIVER SEAT & COUNSEL. MY 17 Y/O GOT 2ND DEGREE BURNS PUTTING OUT FLAME. AIRBAG, DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED WHILE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND SEAT WAS BEING MOVED BACK. THIS CAUSED PAIN TO MY HUSBAND'S ARM.*AK
PARKING ON A CURB STONE OR PARKING CEMENT BLOCK WITH FRONT OF CAR NEAR THE CEMENT STOP. (2) PLASTIC FRONT BUMBER CLIPS OVER ANY BLOCK HIGHER THAN 4 INCHES AND LIKE A LOBSTER TRAP, WHEN REVERSING, RIPS THE BUMPER FROM IT'S FASTENING. BUMPER COULD FALL OFF AND GO UNDER THE MOVING CAR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. (3) REMOVE FRONT BUMPER. *AK
CLUTCH MECHANISM SUDDENLY BEGAN ENGAGING ONLY AT THE UPPER END OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL TRAVEL WHILE DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROX. 39,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. THE RESULT WAS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHILE STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP, EITHER ROLLING BACKWARDS ON AN INCLINE, LURCHING AHEAD OR STALLING. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO AN ACCIDENT, PARTICULARLY IN AN INTERSECTION OR IN CROWDED STOP AND GO CONDITIONS. INCLEMENT WEATHER WOULD COMPOUND THE SAFETY RISKS. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER REPORTED A CLUTCH FAILURE, THAT THE CLUTCH IS A WEAR ITEM AND THAT NO WARRANTY IS OFFERED. AS I HAVE NEVER HAD A CLUTCH WEAR OUT IN 30 YEARS OF DRIVING , I RESEARCHED VIA THE INTERNET AND FOUND THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON AMONGST SIMILAR VW VEHICLES WITH THE 1.8T ENGINE AND THAT MANY SIMILAR FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AT EVEN MUCH LOWER MILEAGE. I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA CUSTOMER CARE AND VW DENIES THERE ARE ANY INHERENT DESIGN PROBLEMS, CITE DRIVER ERROR AND CONFIRMED WITH A RETURN CALL THAT NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE. OTHER SOURCES, INCLUDING A VW MECHANIC HAVE INDEPENDENTLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT VW HAVE SELECTED THE SAME FLYWHEEL, PRESSURE PLATE AND CLUTCH COMPONENTS AS ARE USED ON THE BASE NON-TURBOCHARGED ENGINE, AND THIS ARRANGEMENT IS UNDER DESIGNED FOR THE MORE POWERFUL 1.8T. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THE REPORTED FAILURE IS MORE CONSISTENT WITH A PRESSURE PLATE FAILURE THAN CLUTCH WEAR. ONE DEALERSHIP INFORMED
THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED THE PASSENGER TO SUSTAIN MAJOR INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
2001 JETTA ORIGINAL OWNER THE OIL PAN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM AND THE PLUG IS MADE OUT OF STEEL .SINCE THE PLUG IS MADE OUT OF A HARDER MATERIAL IT STRIPPED THE PAN. THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO KNOW I WILL HAVE TO PAY 600 DOLLARS. *NM
VW JETTA 2001 1.8T 5-SPD HAD A CLUTCH FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING UP TO 6000 RPM BUT THE CAR SLOWED DOWN DRAMATICALLY. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS IN THE LANE. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE CAR WITH A CLUTCH PLATE FAILURE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY ($1200). INSPITE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PURCHASE, VW DOES NOT COVER THIS AS IT RELATES IT TO "WEAR AND TEAR". THE CAR ONLY HAS 68K MILES ON IT, AND MOST OF IT IS HIGHWAY DRIVING (80%). AFTER SOME RESEARCH, IT LOOKS LIKE VW USES INFERIOR PARTS THAT CAUSE CLUTCH FAILURE IN MOST OF THEIR JETTAS. THIS IS A BIG CONCERN. VW PUTS THE BLAME ON THE DRIVER, BUT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE FAULTY PARTS. CHECK OUT WWW.MYVWLEMON.COM. *JB
ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASING MY 2001 JETTA, MY FRONT BUMPER WAS ALMOST ENTIRELY RIPPED OFF AFTER BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. IT CAUGHT ON THE PARKING CURB AND SUBSEQUENTLY RIPPED OFF. UPON CONTACTING VW I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY DRIVING AND IT WOULD COST OVER $300 TO REPAIR. IT TURNS OUT THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES. TWO YEARS LATER, NOW MY CAR IS PAID OFF AND I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER VW DEALERSHIP TO BRING IT IN AND THEY WOULD FIX THE BUMPER. I DID AND TO MY SURPRISE THEY WANTED $237.00 TO FIX IT. THEN THEY ASKED WHAT I DID TO IT. I EXPLAINED THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE PARTICULAR VEHICLES. THEY STATED THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. UPON PICKING UP MY CAR I BROUGHT AN ARTICLE REGARDING THE BUMPERS, THEY DIDN'T EVEN LOOK AT IT, THEY STATED, "WE KNOW, WE HAVE SEEN ALL THE ARTICLES, BUT WE HAVE NO CLOUT WITH VW, ONLY THE CONSUMER". SO, I NEED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER DEFECTS, BUT THIS IS A MAJOR ONE THAT VW IS NOT WILLING TO REPAIR. THE OTHERS THEY HAVE AT LEAST ATTEMPTED TO FIX. *NM
NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V096000; VOLKSWAGEN ISSUED A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT OPERATING. THE VIN WAS OUTSIDE THE REMEDY SCOPE. *JB
ON OUR 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA MODEL, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH FAILED WHICH IS TIED INTO THE ALARM, THE CABIN INTERIOR LIGHTS, OPEN DOOR WARNING CHIME, ETC. ON MOST AUTOMOBILES, THIS IS A SIMPLE SWITCH BUILT INTO THE DOOR JAMB. BUT ON THIS POORLY ENGINEERED VEHICLE, IT'S BUILT INTO THE DOOR LATCH IN THE DOOR, RESULTING IN THE ENTIRE DOOR HAVING TO BE TAKEN APART TO GET TO THIS PART, A $250-350 REPAIR BILL. I CALLED 3 VW DEALERSHIPS TO GET ESTIMATES, AND ALL THREE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS TOLD ME WITHIN THE FIRST MINUTE ON THE PHONE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND THAT IT WAS FAIRLY COMMON. THREE YEAR OLD VEHICLES SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS, NOR SHOULD THIS MECHANISM HAVE EVER BEEN ENGINEERED INTO A PART THAT GETS SLAMMED SHUT REPEATEDLY DAY IN AND DAY OUT. AMAZING! WE ARE UNSURE IF THE LATCH ITSELF IS SAFE OR NOT AND HAVE DECIDED TO PARK THE VEHICLE. AS I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, I CALLED VW SERVICE REPS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT TO NO AVAIL. ANY HELP YOUR AGENCY CAN BE IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE HELPFUL. THIS ISN'T MY FIRST UNUSUAL PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. SINCERELY, TODD & GWEN WHATLEY TRI-CITIES, WA. *NM
I OWN A 2001 VW JETTA WITH THE 1.9L TDI DIESEL ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE IS MAINTAINED BY MY LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP. DURING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS BELOW 30 DEGREES F MY VEHICLE WOULD STOP RUNNING STRANDING ME AT NIGHT IN LOCATIONS WITH LITTLE ROAD TRAFFIC OR CELL PHONE SERVICE. THIS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 6 TIMES REQUIRING THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. EACH TIME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS THAWED IN THEIR SHOP AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH "IMPROPERLY TREATED DIESEL FUEL". I METICULOUSLY PUT IN THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF VW ANTI-GEL ADDITIVE TO ALL TANK FULLS OF FUEL. I ALSO CONSISTENTLY PURCHASE MY DIESEL FUEL FROM THE SAME HIGH VOLUME SUPPLIER WHO HAS NUMEROUS FLEET ACCOUNTS. I HAD BEGUN TO TRIPLE DOSE THE DIESEL FUEL ADDITIVE IN ATTEMPTS TO AVOID THIS SITUATION. AFTER NUMEROUS TIMES OF BEING STRANDED IN SINGLE DIGIT CONDITIONS AND HAVING THE SAME SITUATION OCCUR I CHECKED A TDI OWNERS WEBSITE TDICLU.COM IT SEEMS THAT THE PROBLEM LIES IN THE FUEL TANK PICK UP WHICH HAS A RESTRICTION THAT ONLY SURFACES WHEN THE FUEL THICKENS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THE FUEL PICKUP/SENDING UNIT COMES IN A C, D, AND AN H MODEL. MY VEHICLE HAD THE C MODEL. APPARENTLY VW OF CANADA IS AWARE OF THIS SITUATION AND WITHOUT QUESTION OR CHARGE WOULD REPLACE THEIR CUSTOMERS CARS WITH THE H MODEL. I PURCHASED THE H MODEL PICKUP/SENDER AND REPLACED IT MYSELF AND THE PROBLEM HAS DISAPPEARED. TO DATE I HAVE INCURRED MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN TOWING AND REPAIR CHARGES FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT IS CLEARLY A VW DE
UPON EXITING THE HIGHWAY MY CAR SUDDENLY TURNED OFF. I HAD TO COAST AND VEER OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, JUST NARROWLY AVOIDING BEING HIT BY TWO CARS. I WAS ABLE TO START MY CAR AGAIN, BUT WAS ONLY ABLE TO KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING BY REVVING IT SO THAT IT HAD A HIGH RPM. THE ONLY WAY THAT I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING WHENEVER I REACHED TRAFFIC, A STOP SIGN, OR A STOP LIGHT WAS TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL AND REVVING MY ENGINE. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO VOLKSWAGEN, AND THE PROBLEM WAS AN IGNITION COIL FAILURE. THIS IS THE SAME PART THAT THE SIX CYLINDER JETTAS WERE RECALLED BY VOLKSWAGEN FOR, BUT WAS ONLY GIVEN A 10,000 MILE EXTENSION ON THE FOUR CYLINDER JETTAS. THIS IS PARTICULARLY TROUBLING BECAUSE THE PART "GOES" WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 18 MONTH OLD SON SEATED IN THE BACK OF THE CAR. VW CHARGED ME A LITTLE OVER $1,000 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I WAS, AND REMAIN, EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED, AND HAVE REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO VW'S 1-800 NUMBER. THE REPRESENTATIVE AGREED THAT THE FOUR CYLINDER JETTAS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS THE SIX CYLINDERS HAVE, BUT THAT VW ONLY OFFERS THE 10,000 MILE IGNITION COIL EXTENSION FOR THE FOUR CYLINDER JETTAS IN THE MEAN TIME.*AK
I JUST RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE MY CATALYST SYSTEM ON MY 2001 VW JETTA. THE CAR STAULED ON MY WAY TO WORK, SO I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALER - COOLEY VOLKSWAGEN, IN N. GREENBUSH NY. THEY FOUND MISFIRE CODES AND CATALYST SYSTEM. THEY ALSO ADVISED ME THAT THE COIL PACK AND TUNE UP WERE NEEDED TO CORRECT MISFIRES. MY QUESTION AND CONCERN IS: WHY DID I NOT RECEIVE A WARNING LIGHT ON SOME SIGNAL TO ADVISE ME OF ANY PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT BE OCCURING. THIS WOULD HAVE POSSIBLY ALERTED ME TO GET THE CAR INTO A VW SERVICE SHOP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.*AK
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON, AND VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR CHECK UP, BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR A TOTAL OF 14 DAYS IN DIAGNOSTIC. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN IT TO A INDEPENDANT VW MECHANIC TWICE WHO TELLS ME THIS IS COMMON. NOBODY CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE IS FOR GLOW PLUG MALFUNCTION. I HAVE HAD REPLACED THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR, THE GLOW PLUG RELAY, ALL 4 GLOW PLUGS AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL COSTS OF DIAGNOSTIC. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON, IT IS STILL A GLOW PLUG MALFUNCTION. I HAVE PAID $800 FOR UNNECESARY REPAIRS THAT THE DEALER TELLS ME IS THE PROBLEM. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE REPAIRS ON THE DOOR LOCKS AND WONDOW REGULATORS, AS WELL AS THE AC MODULATOR, MIDDLE CONSUL LATCH,GLOVE BOX HINGE, REAR SEAT ASH TRAY. THIS YEAR OF JETTA IS A TRUE LEMON! IF VW IS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEN LEGAL ACTION WILL BE REQUIRED TO RECOVER MY LOSSES.*AK
1 ) WHILE DRIVING WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON, THE SEAT BECAME BURNING HOT, TO A POINT WHERE I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE SEAT. THIS IS WHILE I AM DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE I-580. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO VW WITH NO AVAIL. I HAVE ALSO FOUND FROM OTHER REPORTS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER VEHICLES, TO A POINT WHERE SOME CAUGHT ON FIRE. VW REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, AND THE SERVICE DEPT EVEN WENT AS FAR AS RECOMMENDING ME JUST SWAPPING THE PASSENGER TO DRIVER SIDE HEAT CONTROL. *JB 2) THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT HEATER ALMOST LED TO A ACCIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE WHILE NOT COMPLETELY SEATED TO PULL OVER . 3). VW HAS DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE SINCE THEY STATE MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB
THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD BECOME UNUSUALLY HOTTER THAN NORMAL. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE DEALER WANTED A NON REFUNDABLE FEE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM SO THE CONSUMER DID NOT TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE. *TC THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD A FAINT BURNING SMELL. *SC *JB
A 2001 VW JETTA HAS AN ISSUE WITH A METAL SPRING THAT IS PART OF THE DRIVER SEAT. THE SPRING SEPARATES FROM THE MECHANISM THAT KEEPS THE SEAT FROM SLIDING FORWARD. THERE IS NO SPECIFIC REASON THE SPRING BECOMES LOOSE FROM THE CAR SEAT AND ONE WOULD NEVER KNOW IF THE SPRING IS NOT ATTACHED, IT COULD CAUSE MAJOR HARM TO THE DRIVER IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE SEAT REMAINS LOCKED IN A POSITION, BUT IF THE CAR IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE SEAT COULD SLIDE FORWARD, CAUSING INJURY. VW REFUSES TO COVER THE PART AS A SAFETY RECALL AND IS CHARGING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I KNOW OF 2 INSTANCES WHERE THIS SAME ISSUE HAS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE DRIVER SEATS IN A 2001 VW JETTA. *JB
A LARGE SPRING FELL FROM UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. VW SERVICE STATED THE SPRING HELD THE SEAT TO THE RAIL AND WAS AN EXTEME SAFETY HAZARD; IF INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THE SEAT WOULD COME LOOSE FROM THE RAIL. VW STATED SINCE OUR CAR WAS OUT OF WARRENTY THEY COULD NOT FIX IT ON THEIR COSTS (2001 VOLKSWAGON JETTA). THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR, AND SINCE IT IS SUCH AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD I FEEL VW SHOULD TAKE THIS RESPONSIBILITY. THE EXACT SAME SPRING HAS COME LOOSE FROM MY SONS 2001 JETTA AS WELL. THIS INDICATES TO US THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED SITUATION.*AK
THIS SUMMER MY LEFT REAR DOOR BECAME INOPERABLE. IN LATE OCTOBER THE TURN SIGNALS BEGAN OPERATING INTERMITTENTLY. ON A COLD AND RAINY DAY THIS NOVEMBER MY 2001 JETTA WITH 37000 MILES STALLED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. I RESTARTED AND COMPLETED MY TURN, THINKING I HAD JUST LET OUT THE CLUTCH TOO FAST. THE CAR WAS A BIT SLUGGISH AND A 1/2 MILE DOWN THE ROAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON NOVEMBER 30 AND WAS SHOCKED NOT ONLY AT THE PROBLEMS BUT THAT THEY WERE NOT COVERERED BY ANY WARRANTY. THE TOTAL REPAIR BILL WAS OVER $1000 DOLLARS. THE IGNITION COIL PACK NEEDS REPLACED FOR $740. THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH NEEDS REPLACED FOR $77. JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE DOOR REQUIRES A CHARGE OF $188 DOLLARS. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES ON YOUR WEBSITE. I GUESS I JUST HIT THE TRIFECTA.*AK
I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY. HEARD A GRINDING NOISE IN THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. BROUGHT CAR TO MECHANIC. WAS TOLD REAR CALIPER FROZE DUE TO WEARING OF BRAKE PADS. THE CALIPERS HAD DAMAGED THE REAR ROTORS. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. ROTORS WERE REPLACED FOR A COST OF $500, AND I WAS TOLD NONE OF THE REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.*AK
I HAVE AN ONGOING WATER LEAK IN MY 2001 VW JETTA. EVERYTIME IT RAINS, WATER LEAKS FROM A SPOT NEAR MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. WITHOUT FAIL, A 3-5 INCH POOL OF WATER COLLECTS EVERYTIME IT RAINS. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO PAY THE $70/HOUR COST AND STATES THAT IT IS MY PROBLEM AND NOT A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.*AK
THE AIRBAG LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON IN MY CAR. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE WHY IT CAME ON. I HAD IT VAG COM'D. AND A CODE CAME UP AS BEING A BAD CONTROL MODULE FOR THE AIRBAG. *JB
I WAS DRIVING ON I-87 NORTH IN THE BRONX IN STOP AND GO ROLLING TRAFFIC AND I SMELLED SOMETHING AFTER A WHILE, ALSO FELT A LITTLE BIT OF DRAGGING. THE SPEED PICKED UP AND WHEN I NEEDED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WAS MUSHY AND WENT DOWN ALMOST ALL THE WAY BARELY STOPPING ME! I STOPPED AND SAW THAT THE BRAKES WERE SUPER HOT, SO I OPENED THE HOOD TO CHECK OUT THE LINES. A GUY PULLED OVER AND HELPED ME CHECK TO SEE IF I HAD TO BLEED THE LINES AT THE ABS CONTROLLER AND WE SAW NO EXCESS PRESSURE. I HAD THE BRAKE SWITCH REPLACED UNDER RECALL, AND GREASED THE CYLINDER THAT FEEDS THE BRAKE BOOSTER, BUT STILL IT GRABS SOMETIMES AND I HAVE TO PULL THE PEDAL UP. ON HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM , THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE BOOSTER ON JET. I WANT A REPLACEMENT, AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY 200 + INSTALL FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE BOOSTERS.*AK
TURN SIGNALS AND FLASHER OPERATION IMPACTED BY COLD WEATHER. WITH THE FIRST COLD WEATHER OF THE SEASON THE TURN SIGNAL/FLASHER UNIT FAILED TO OPERATE UNTIL WARMED BY THE HEATER (30 MINUTES OF HIGH HEATER OPERATION). MY REPORT MATCHES NHTSA ACTION # PE04073. THE VW DEALER REPLACED PART # 1J0-953-235-J-01C AT A COST OF $72. I HAVE THE OLD PART IN MY POSSESSION IF EXAMINATION OF IT IS REQUESTED.*AK
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. IT WILL OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE ONLY. IF YOU ARE IN SIDE THE PASSENGER CAN NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE WHICH IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT WILL NOT COVER THIS DEFECT, WHICH WAS ELIGIBLE UP TO 24,000 MILES. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE EXPLODED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, AND HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE HAD A BUILD UP OF SLUDGE. *AK THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE TO GET THE LOCK ON THE TRUCK FIXED BECAUSE YOU COULD NOT OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING NOISE AND SMOKING WHILE THE CONSUMER DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY LEAVING THE CONSUMER STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONSUMER DID NOT KEEP RECIEPTS OF WORK DONE TO THE VEHICLE THEREFORE CAN NOT BE REIMBURSED. THE CONSUMER SENT A FORMAL DEMAND FOR SETTLEMENT IN THE AMOOUNT OF REPAIR BILLS AND RENTAL CAR EXPENSES THROUGH HER LEGAL COUNCEL FOR NEGLIGENT INSPECTION OF HER VEHICLE. *TC
REAR BRAKE PADS/ROTORS: PREMATURE WEAR, AT 25K. WENT TO DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS MY FAULT FOR USING THE BRAKES TOO MUCH AND THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE $650 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. WENT TO A MIDAS HAD THEM REPLACED FOR $250 AND WAS TOLD THERE THAT BRAKES SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT THAT SOON ON A NEW CAR.
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
DESPITE HAVING A MALFUNCTION EXACTLY AS DEFINED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04VO96000 ON THE SAME MODEL (01 JETTA) - VOLKSWAGEN INSISTED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE MY VIN WAS FROM A DIFFERENT PLANT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE "A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THAT CAUSED THE EPC LIGHT TO STAY ON, AND YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT WORK." *AK
THE CENTER ARM REST LOCK KEEPS BREAKING ON MY 2001 VW JETTA. IT HAS BROKEN THREE (3) TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE.*AK
DRIVER SEAT BURN,SEAT COVER HAD LIQUID OF SOME TYPE LEAK INTO SEAT THROUGH SEAM INTO HEATING ELEMENTS. CAUSED A SHORT. *BF *TC *JB
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta → · Every Jetta year → · How the figures are calculated →