2001 Volkswagen Jetta recalls and problems

The 2001 Volkswagen Jetta has 6 safety recalls and 668 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Volkswagen dealer.

Recalls
6
Complaints
668
Crashes / fires
40 / 12
Injuries / deaths
47 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2001 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2001 Volkswagen Jetta recalls

Recall 07V-063: Exterior Lighting

Reported Feb 20, 2007 · 1,002,000 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Problem: On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.

Risk: The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.

Fix: 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.

Recall 06V-183: Exterior Lighting

Reported May 24, 2006 · 646,246 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Problem: 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.

Risk: The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.

Fix: 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.

Recall 04V-584: Exterior Lighting

Reported Dec 16, 2004 · 410,000 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Problem: 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.

Risk: This may result in intermittent or inoperative turn signal and hazard flasher function.

Fix: 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.

Recall 04V-096: Exterior Lighting

Reported Feb 20, 2004 · 377,130 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, a brake light switch on these vehicles may malfunction.

Risk: If this happens, the brake lights could become inoperative, or come on and stay on, even though the vehicle is parked.

Fix: 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.

Recall 02V-244: Equipment

Reported Sep 12, 2002 · 332,950 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Problem: 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.

Risk: These vehicles were not marked or described as required by the standard.

Fix: 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.

Recall 02V-031: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Jan 31, 2002 · 55,000 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Problem: On some passenger vehicles, short circuits can occur within the electronic control unit of the anti-lock braking system (Abs).

Risk: This can result in a fire.

Fix: 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.

2001 Volkswagen Jetta problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System122
Engine and Engine Cooling114
Air Bags103
Exterior Lighting90
Service Brakes, Hydraulic78
Visibility70
Power Train64
Structure43
Seats27
Latches/Locks/Linkages19
Equipment18
Fuel System, Gasoline15

Most reported parts

  • Air Bags › Side/Window — 58
  • Electrical System › Ignition — 48
  • Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls — 45
  • Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch — 40
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 32
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 26
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 26
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline — 18

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 50,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2001 Volkswagen Jetta complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Jan 28, 2021
2001 volkswagen jetta. Consumer stated that airbags did not deploy during auto accident. The consumer was severely injured. The vehicle was totaled.
Engine · at 73,000 miles · reported Mar 1, 2019
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.
Air Bags · at 195,500 miles · reported Jan 23, 2018
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
Service Brakes · reported Jan 17, 2018
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.
Unknown or Other · at 126,000 miles · reported Jan 16, 2017
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.

Other Volkswagen Jetta years

Compare all Volkswagen Jetta years · All Volkswagen models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta: 07V-063 (exterior lighting), 06V-183 (exterior lighting), 04V-584 (exterior lighting), 04V-096 (exterior lighting), 02V-244 (equipment) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (122 reports), followed by engine and engine cooling (114). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 50,000 miles.

Are Volkswagen recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Volkswagen dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.