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2001 Volkswagen JETTA: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

668 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

50,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 359 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags:Side/Window is the most frequently named component, appearing in 58 of 668 complaints (8.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior15122.6%
Transmission and shifting426.3%
Engine operation426.3%
Electrical and battery issues385.7%
Fuel system concerns152.2%
Steering behavior111.6%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags:Side/Window
58
Electrical System:Ignition
48
Electrical System
46
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
45
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
40
Engine And Engine Cooling
32
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
32
Air Bags
28
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags:Side/Window58
Electrical System:Ignition48
Electrical System46
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls45
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch40
Engine And Engine Cooling32
Power Train:Automatic Transmission32
Air Bags28

Air Bags:Side/Window: 58; Electrical System:Ignition: 48; Electrical System: 46; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 45; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch: 40; Engine And Engine Cooling: 32; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 32; Air Bags: 28

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
59
25,000 to 49,999
115
50,000 to 74,999
71
75,000 to 99,999
50
100,000 to 149,999
46
150,000 and above
18
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00059
25,000 to 49,999115
50,000 to 74,99971
75,000 to 99,99950
100,000 to 149,99946
150,000 and above18

Under 25,000: 59; 25,000 to 49,999: 115; 50,000 to 74,999: 71; 75,000 to 99,999: 50; 100,000 to 149,999: 46; 150,000 and above: 18

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (115). 309 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2000
6
2001
39
2002
111
2003
95
2004
135
2005
96
2006
50
2007
33
2008
44
2009
12
2010
9
2011
8
2012
4
2013
5
2014
6
2015
5
2016
4
2017
1
2018
2
2019
2
2021
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20006
200139
2002111
200395
2004135
200596
200650
200733
200844
200912
20109
20118
20124
20135
20146
20155
20164
20171
20182
20192
20211

2000: 6; 2001: 39; 2002: 111; 2003: 95; 2004: 135; 2005: 96; 2006: 50; 2007: 33; 2008: 44; 2009: 12; 2010: 9; 2011: 8; 2012: 4; 2013: 5; 2014: 6; 2015: 5; 2016: 4; 2017: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 2; 2021: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags:Side/Window leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 151 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 42 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 42 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10000121 · 2002-12-16 (December 16, 2002)

DEALER MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIR PUMP RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR WAS GARAGED EVERY NIGHT. WARRANTY ON PART EXPIRED AT 24000 MILES I HAVE 31000.

Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000121 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10000196 · 2002-12-17 (December 17, 2002)

THE NUMBER OF MISFIRES AND FAILED COILPACK'S ON MY '01 VW JETTA 1.8T IS RIDICULOUS. I KNOW OF SEVERAL PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING. WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY IS WAS IN THE SHOP AT LEAST 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME MISFIRE PROBLEM AND NOW THAT I'M OUT OF WARRANTY THE PROBLEM IS STILL VERY PERSISTENT. VW NEEDS TO OFFICIALLY RECALL THESE COIL PACKS WITH SOMETHING THAT WORKS PROPERLY. THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO AFFECT MY ABILITY TO PASS MY STATE EMISSIONS TESTING AND SERIOUSLY EFFECTS MY DRIVEABILITY AND RELIABILITY.. VIN # [XXX]... INF…

Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000196 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10000236 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)

IGNITION COIL FAILURES ON MY 2001 JETTA GLS 1.8T. 3 COILS FAILED LEADING TO A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION WHERE I COULD NOT ACCELERATE OUT OF A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. VW CHANGED ONLY 3 COILS, SAYING THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION COILS, BUT WILL NOT CHANGE A PART UNLESS IT FAILS. THE 4TH COIL FAILED YESTERDAY, 12/17/02 AND VW IS OUT OF COILS NATIONWIDE. I SPEND QUITE A BIT OF TIME ON MANY VW AND AUDI CAR OWNER WEB-BOARDS AND THE PROBLEM IS RUNNING RAMPANT. CHECK WWW.VWVORTEX.COM, WWW.AUDIFORUMS.COM TO NAME A FEW, THEN DO…

Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000236 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10000239 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)

NUMBER (4) COILPACK ON MY 2001 VW JETTA WOLFSBURG WENT BAD AND THE CAR WAS RENDERED UNDRIVABLE UNTIL I USED ANOTHER FORM OF TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO A NEARBY DEALER TO BUY A REPLACEMENT

Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000239 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10000390 · 2002-12-27 (December 27, 2002)

I HAD A COIL PACK BURN OUT ON MY 2001 VW JETTA - IT HAS 21000 MILES. IT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM AND MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS FAILURE. VW (AND AUDI) WILL ONLY REPLACE COILS WHEN THEY INDIVIDUALLY BURN OUT. VW/AUDI SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE ALL COILS EITHER AT THE TIME OF BURN OUT OR BEFORE IT BECOMES AN ISSUE. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SUGGEST THAT THE COILS ARE EITHER DEFECTIVE OR THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE IS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS EVEN IF THE VEHICLES WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. TS…

Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000390 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10000423 · 2002-12-30 (December 30, 2002)

I OWN A 2001 JETTA 1.8T WOLFSBURG. THE CAR HAD A COIL PACK FAILURE ON NOVEMBER 28, 2002 AND AGAIN ON DECEMBER 30, 2002.

Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000423 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10000504 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)

ELECTRICAL IGNITION COIL FAILED WHILE TRAVELING IN A REMOTE AREA. TS

Owner-reported narrative. 18,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000504 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10000843 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)

COIL FAILED ON 2001 VW JETTA 1.8 T, AT 18400 MILES,MANUFACTUROR DEFECT,VW IS HAVING THE COIL REMANUFACTURED. DEALER SAYS PART COULD TAKE UP TO 2 MONTHS BECAUSE OF BACK ORDERS.THIS SIMPLY STATES THEY CAN'T KEEP UP WITH THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND AS SO MANY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AND DEALER REPLACE ALL 4 COILS.

Owner-reported narrative. 18,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000843 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

02V031000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Reported: 2002-01-31 (January 31, 2002)

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
02V244000 · Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual

Reported: 2002-09-12 (September 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.

Consequence: THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT MARKED OR DESCRIBED AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
04V096000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch

Reported: 2004-02-20 (February 20, 2004)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
04V584000 · Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch

Reported: 2004-12-16 (December 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.

Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER FUNCTION.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
06V183000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch

Reported: 2006-05-24 (May 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.

Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
07V063000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch

Reported: 2007-02-20 (February 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.

Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗