FaultScore

2001 Volkswagen Jetta electrical problems

122 of the 862 complaints about the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta are about the electrical system — 14% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 44,000 miles.

C

122

Complaints

0

Crashes

7

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Ignition 48 39.3%
Electrical System 46 37.7%
Module 8 6.6%
Front Underhood 4 3.3%
Wiring 4 3.3%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers 4 3.3%
12V/24V/48V Battery 2 1.6%
Control Module 2 1.6%
Interior/Under Dash 1 0.8%
Switch 1 0.8%

Electrical System across every Volkswagen Jetta year

1994 26 1.2%
1995 53 2.5%
1997 18 0.8%
1998 42 2.0%
1999 45 2.1%
2000 67 3.1%
2001 122 5.7%
2002 152 7.1%
2003 97 4.5%
2004 37 1.7%
2005 49 2.3%
2006 114 5.3%
2007 45 2.1%
2008 43 2.0%
2009 107 5.0%
2010 235 11.0%
2011 193 9.0%
2012 142 6.6%
2013 150 7.0%
2014 94 4.4%
2015 49 2.3%
2016 36 1.7%
2017 33 1.5%
2019 155 7.2%
2020 16 0.7%
2021 12 0.6%
2022 10 0.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Ferguson, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TAKATA RECALL -THE VEHICLE

NHTSA complaint #11254533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stuarts Draft, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11063377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Lynn Haven, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES SOFT AS A MARSHMALLOW NOT WARNING NOTICE GOT STOPPED AND THERE WAS A HISSING NOISE BUT NO BRAKE FLUID ON ANY OF THE BRAKES...... I'VE ALSO BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH AFTER REPLACING THE WATER PUMP IT KEEPING FLUID IN IT ALSO USING THE GEICO DISCOUNT EQUIPMENT TO SEE HOW MY DRIVING IS THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE ONE ABOVE THAT THE LOOKS LIKE A TRIANGLE.... DID THE DIAGNOSTIC CAME UP WITH A 1000 CODE AND ONE OTHER THE DEAL DIDN'T FIND THE 1000 CODE BUT RESET WITH NO LUCK TURNING THEM OFF AFTER SERVICE.

NHTSA complaint #10700973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,673 miles Columbus, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

RAINING NOT HARD . WIPERS SLOW DOWN . COMPLETE STOP OF WIPER ACTION. NO PRIOR NOTICE OF BAD OPERATION FIRST THOUGHT WAS FUSE. WAS NOT THE FUSE.

NHTSA complaint #10537392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,000 miles SAN Francisco, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN 2003 AND HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE. ESC LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME. REPLACED IGNITION COILS, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND SPARK PLUGS MULTIPLES TIMES TO TRY AND FIX THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT KEEPS COMING BACK ON. IT KEEPS SPITTING OUT RANDOM CYLINDER MISFIRE CODES. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BROKE. THE ARM REST HINGE BROKE. THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT HINGE BROKE. BRAKE LIGHTS NEED REPLACING CONSTANTLY. WATER PUMP BROKE WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF FREEWAY AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOT THROUGH THE ROOF. A RANDOM TUBE/HOSE IN THE ENGINE BROKE. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, COULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE. INTERIOR CABIN SMELLS LIKE CRAYON. VERY ROUGH IDLE, NEED TO WARM UP THE CAR FOR AT LEAST 5 MINS EVERY MORNING OR ELSE THE CAR WILL STALL. I NOTICED IF YOU DO NOT WARM THE CAR LONG ENOUGH, YOU HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD TO GET IT TO STOP. I CAN COPE WITH ALL THE ABOVE ISSUES BUT I CANNOT TOLERATE THE CAR RANDOMLY STALLING/ENGINE DYING WHILE DRIVING AROUND THE CITY. LATELY THE CAR IS MAKING WEIRD NOISES LIKE IT RAN OVER A POTHOLE. I GAVE AWAY THE CAR AND WILL NEVER AGAIN OWN ANY CARS MADE FROM VOLKSWAGEN.

NHTSA complaint #10451304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Montgomery, AL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

LOCK UNIT FOR CENTRAL LOCKING DRIVERS SIDE FRONT VW PART F220 SWITCHES INDICATING A "DOOR OPEN" STATUS FAIL ON A REGULAR BASIS ON UNITS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 1999 AND 2001. VW REDESIGNED THE PART IN 2002, BUT OFFERED NO CORRECTIVE ACTION FOR VEHICLES WITH THE FLAWED DESIGN. WHEN THE SWITCH IS INOPERABLE, THE LAMP ON THE DOOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED, MAKING IT INVISIBLE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IN ADDITION, THE DOME LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED. FINALLY, SINCE THE CAR DOES NOT SENSE THAT THE DOOR IS OPENED, IT WILL RE-LOCK ITSELF AFTER 30 SECONDS, POTENTIALLY STRANDING A DRIVER OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10404708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 124,000 miles Cincinnati, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY JETTA WILL NOT START AFTER NO SIGNS OF AN ISSUE. I'VE HAD IT TOWED TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE TO PEP BOYS (PER WARRANTY COMPANY) AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME BUT THAT IS IT. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT SEEMED AS IF SOMETHING WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY. I'VE TAKEN THE BATTERY TO PLACE OF PURCHASE AND RESULTS WERE GOOD AND THE BATTERY IS FINE. PEP BOYS RECOMMENDS I TAKE CAR TO VW DEALER. THIS IS TOUGH ON MY FAMILY AND I BECAUSE THIS IS OUR ONLY CAR AND NO ONE CAN TELL US THE REASON WHY OUR CAR DOESN'T WORK. CAR WAS PURCHASED 7/24/2010.

NHTSA complaint #10398231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Winchendon, MA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WILL DEPRESS BY ITSELF MAKING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATE. THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED (SO FAR). THIS STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. IT'S DONE IT MAYBE 4 OR 5 TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #10373668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Santee, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE IDLES ERRATICALLY UP TO 5000 RPM THEN LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING. CLOSE COLLISIONS (REAR END) FOR 2 YEARS. THE CHECK ENGINE AND EPC LIGHTS COME ON AND ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS. IN AND OUT OF REPAIR SHOPS, INCLUDING DEALERSHIP, COST APPROXIMATELY $2,000 IN REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10373130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,438 miles Norfolk, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) : THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER GO OFF AFTER STARTED THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10297947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,000 miles Monument, CO Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10277892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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!!

NHTSA complaint #10261398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Sacramento, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10247580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,000 miles Smyrna, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10236458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fayetteville, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I OWN A 2001 VW JETTA GLS VR6. SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT. I AM A YOUNG WOMAN IN THE MILITARY AND AM IN FULL TIME SCHOOL, SO I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO RUN AROUND AND FIX IT AS MUCH AS I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO DO. FIRST MY GAS GAUGE WENT OUT THREE MONTHS AFTER BUYING IT $600(UNDER WARRANTY) THEN A MONTH LATER O2 SENSOR $300(NON WARRANTY). THEN IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER$1500(NON WARRANTY) WIRING SYSTEM$1000(OF COURSE NON WARRANTY) WINDOWS WONT ROLL UP WITHOUT ROLLING DOWN AGAIN AND SOMETIMES GET STUCK$700(NON WARRANTY) CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT$845 (NON WARRANTY), WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR... STATIONED IN ALASKA AND COULDN'T GO WITHOUT THAT $750(NON WARRANTY) NOW MY SECONDARY AIR PUMP IS OUT AND I WAS QUOTED $1294 FROM PRIVATE MECHANIC AND $1400 FROM VW. ALSO THE CRUISE IS STILL OUT AND THE WINDOWS ARE DOING THE SAME AGAIN. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY PEOPLE IN THE SAME BOAT I HAVE BEEN IN WITH SO MANY REPAIRS. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO STOP VW FROM MAKING FAULTY PARTS AND CHARGING AN ARM AND A LEG? I FEEL THOUGH THAT IF IT IS BROUGHT UP TO YOU THAT MY VOICE WILL BE HEARD, BECAUSE WHEN I CALL THE VOLKWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND COMPLAINTS I GET NOWHERE.

NHTSA complaint #10231433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Henderson, NV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH 2001 VW JETTA, PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE, 2001.INCLUDING : WINDOWS SPORADICALLY MALFUNCTIONING (WHEN I CALLED VW CORPORATE AS WELL AS MY LOCAL DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT AFTER THE DEALER EVALUATED PROBLEM I COULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABOR CHARGE DEPENDING ON THE OUTCOME OF THEIR DIAGNOSIS!!); TRUNK LATCH HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE (OUT OF WARRANTY) AND NOW LATCH DOES NOT RESPOND TO REMOTES NOR TO THE INSIDE RELEASE ON DRIVER DOOR; DRIVER DOOR LOCK DOES NOT RESPOND TO REMOTES NOR TO CONTROL ON DRIVER DOOR (THE OTHER THREE DOOR LOCKS ARE PRESENTLY FUNCTIONING); INTERIOR COATING ON PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES AND CENTER CONSOLE BEGAN TO PEEL WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF DELIVERY; CENTER CONSOLE LATCH BROKE LONG AGO; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON/OFF SPORADICALLY (BROUGHT CAR TO CERTIFIED MECHANIC BUT PROBLEM UNDIAGNOSED); A WAX SUBSTANCE WAS CONSTANTLY RUNNING INTO DOORWELLS; VW DEALER REPLACED COIL, CABLES AND BUFFER IN RESPONSE TO ROUGH ENGINE IDLE COMPLAINT AND I INCURRED ALL COSTS AND INCONVENIENCE OF CAR IN SHOP , THIS AT 72,000 MILES,HAZARD LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED; TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED; NOW I HEAR OF A BRAKE LIGHT RECALL AND AN EMERGENCY LIGHT SWITCH PROBLEM. I AM JUST REALIZING RECENTLY THAT I AM NOT ALONE WITH MY JETTA PROBLEMS, THAT NUMEROUS JJETTA OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS ( I RESEARCHED ON INTERNET) . VW CUSTOMER SERVICE NOT HELPFUL AT ALL IN RESOLVING THESE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10220476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Henderson, NV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK

NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH 2001 VW JETTA, PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE, 2001.INCLUDING : WINDOWS SPORADICALLY MALFUNCTIONING (WHEN I CALLED VW CORPORATE AS WELL AS MY LOCAL DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT AFTER THE DEALER EVALUATED PROBLEM I COULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABOR CHARGE DEPENDING ON THE OUTCOME OF THEIR DIAGNOSIS!!); TRUNK LATCH HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE (OUT OF WARRANTY) AND NOW LATCH DOES NOT RESPOND TO REMOTES NOR TO THE INSIDE RELEASE ON DRIVER DOOR; DRIVER DOOR LOCK DOES NOT RESPOND TO REMOTES NOR TO CONTROL ON DRIVER DOOR (THE OTHER THREE DOOR LOCKS ARE PRESENTLY FUNCTIONING); INTERIOR COATING ON PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES AND CENTER CONSOLE BEGAN TO PEEL WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF DELIVERY; CENTER CONSOLE LATCH BROKE LONG AGO; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON/OFF SPORADICALLY (BROUGHT CAR TO CERTIFIED MECHANIC BUT PROBLEM UNDIAGNOSED); A WAX SUBSTANCE WAS CONSTANTLY RUNNING INTO DOORWELLS; VW DEALER REPLACED COIL, CABLES AND BUFFER IN RESPONSE TO ROUGH ENGINE IDLE COMPLAINT AND I INCURRED ALL COSTS AND INCONVENIENCE OF CAR IN SHOP , THIS AT 72,000 MILES,HAZARD LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED; TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED; NOW I HEAR OF A BRAKE LIGHT RECALL AND AN EMERGENCY LIGHT SWITCH PROBLEM. I AM JUST REALIZING RECENTLY THAT I AM NOT ALONE WITH MY JETTA PROBLEMS, THAT NUMEROUS JJETTA OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS ( I RESEARCHED ON INTERNET) . VW CUSTOMER SERVICE NOT HELPFUL AT ALL IN RESOLVING THESE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10220476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Henderson, NV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH 2001 VW JETTA, PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE, 2001.INCLUDING : WINDOWS SPORADICALLY MALFUNCTIONING (WHEN I CALLED VW CORPORATE AS WELL AS MY LOCAL DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT AFTER THE DEALER EVALUATED PROBLEM I COULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABOR CHARGE DEPENDING ON THE OUTCOME OF THEIR DIAGNOSIS!!); TRUNK LATCH HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE (OUT OF WARRANTY) AND NOW LATCH DOES NOT RESPOND TO REMOTES NOR TO THE INSIDE RELEASE ON DRIVER DOOR; DRIVER DOOR LOCK DOES NOT RESPOND TO REMOTES NOR TO CONTROL ON DRIVER DOOR (THE OTHER THREE DOOR LOCKS ARE PRESENTLY FUNCTIONING); INTERIOR COATING ON PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES AND CENTER CONSOLE BEGAN TO PEEL WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF DELIVERY; CENTER CONSOLE LATCH BROKE LONG AGO; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON/OFF SPORADICALLY (BROUGHT CAR TO CERTIFIED MECHANIC BUT PROBLEM UNDIAGNOSED); A WAX SUBSTANCE WAS CONSTANTLY RUNNING INTO DOORWELLS; VW DEALER REPLACED COIL, CABLES AND BUFFER IN RESPONSE TO ROUGH ENGINE IDLE COMPLAINT AND I INCURRED ALL COSTS AND INCONVENIENCE OF CAR IN SHOP , THIS AT 72,000 MILES,HAZARD LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED; TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED; NOW I HEAR OF A BRAKE LIGHT RECALL AND AN EMERGENCY LIGHT SWITCH PROBLEM. I AM JUST REALIZING RECENTLY THAT I AM NOT ALONE WITH MY JETTA PROBLEMS, THAT NUMEROUS JJETTA OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS ( I RESEARCHED ON INTERNET) . VW CUSTOMER SERVICE NOT HELPFUL AT ALL IN RESOLVING THESE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10220476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Henderson, NV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH 2001 VW JETTA, PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE, 2001.INCLUDING : WINDOWS SPORADICALLY MALFUNCTIONING (WHEN I CALLED VW CORPORATE AS WELL AS MY LOCAL DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT AFTER THE DEALER EVALUATED PROBLEM I COULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABOR CHARGE DEPENDING ON THE OUTCOME OF THEIR DIAGNOSIS!!); TRUNK LATCH HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE (OUT OF WARRANTY) AND NOW LATCH DOES NOT RESPOND TO REMOTES NOR TO THE INSIDE RELEASE ON DRIVER DOOR; DRIVER DOOR LOCK DOES NOT RESPOND TO REMOTES NOR TO CONTROL ON DRIVER DOOR (THE OTHER THREE DOOR LOCKS ARE PRESENTLY FUNCTIONING); INTERIOR COATING ON PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES AND CENTER CONSOLE BEGAN TO PEEL WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF DELIVERY; CENTER CONSOLE LATCH BROKE LONG AGO; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON/OFF SPORADICALLY (BROUGHT CAR TO CERTIFIED MECHANIC BUT PROBLEM UNDIAGNOSED); A WAX SUBSTANCE WAS CONSTANTLY RUNNING INTO DOORWELLS; VW DEALER REPLACED COIL, CABLES AND BUFFER IN RESPONSE TO ROUGH ENGINE IDLE COMPLAINT AND I INCURRED ALL COSTS AND INCONVENIENCE OF CAR IN SHOP , THIS AT 72,000 MILES,HAZARD LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED; TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED; NOW I HEAR OF A BRAKE LIGHT RECALL AND AN EMERGENCY LIGHT SWITCH PROBLEM. I AM JUST REALIZING RECENTLY THAT I AM NOT ALONE WITH MY JETTA PROBLEMS, THAT NUMEROUS JJETTA OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS ( I RESEARCHED ON INTERNET) . VW CUSTOMER SERVICE NOT HELPFUL AT ALL IN RESOLVING THESE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10220476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rochester, NH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY GOING OUT. I WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND THEN A MONTH OR SO LATER I HAVE TO REPLACE THE RIGHT, OR THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT OR THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT. I AM REPLACING ABOUT 4-5 LIGHTS PER YEAR ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *TR ALSO NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. 1/2 OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE NO LONGER WORKING, AND WHEN I UNLOCK THE CAR IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOCK ON ME WITHIN 15 SECONDS UNLESS I START THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10219834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,130 miles Ithaca, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

UPON STARTING THE CAR, IT IDLED LOUDLY AND ROUGHLY. AFTER DRIVING FOR 2 MINUTES THE CAR BEGAN TO BUCK (AS IF THERE WERE MULTIPLE MINI STALLS WHILE DRIVING). WHEN THIS BUCKING/BUMPING BEGAN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. THE CAR WAS THEN DRIVEN TO A CAR DEALERSHIP SERVICE REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION COIL HAD FAILED. THE OWNER, DESPITE TAKING VERY GOOD CARE OF THE CAR, WILL HAVE TO PAY TO GET THIS PART REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10217134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Fresno, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER IN NOVEMBER OF 2007, WHERE IT PRESENTLY REMAINS. THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED. THE MOST RECENT DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED THAT THE PRIMARY FAILURE WAS THE WIRING HARNESS AND WOULD COST $2,300 TO REPLACE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000. THE CONSUMER STATED TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC GERMAN AUTO REPAIR AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE TUNE OF $1896 + $300 DEDUCTIBLE. UPDATED 03/07/08

NHTSA complaint #10214441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 46,391 miles Staten Island, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

MY COMPLAINT INVOLVES TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS WHERE I EXPERIENCED JERKING AND SPUTTERING FROM MY 2001 VW JETTA GLX VR6. IN BOTH INCIDENTS, FOLLOWING THE REDUCED LEVEL OF ENGINE POWER I SMELLED A BURNING AND WAS FORCED TO STOP THE CAR. BOTH TIMES, MY CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR TO TWO DIFFERENT VW DEALERSHIPS. EACH TIME, I WAS ADVISED THAT THE VW IGNITION COIL PACK HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. APPARENTLY, THE MALFUNCTION OF THIS PART CAUSED OTHER SENSORS TO MALFUNCTION AS WELL. ALSO, THESE PARTS APPEAR TO DAMAGE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT. IN ONE INCIDENT DESCRIBED ABOVE, MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD TO EVENTUALLY BE REPLACED. NOTE THAT THE FIRST INCIDENT, WHICH IS DOCUMENTED, OCCURRED AT 34,560 MILES. THE SECOND INCIDENT, WHICH WAS VERY SIMILAR TO THE FIRST, OCCURRED AT 46,391 MILES AND IS ALSO FULLY DOCUMENTED. THE MATTER WAS REPORTED TO VWOA AND I WAS INFORMED THAT ANY PORTION OF THE NEARLY $2,000 I INCURRED OUT-OF-POCKET WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED AND THERE SEEMED TO BE NO CONCERN BY VWOA REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING ANY DAMAGE TO EMISSIONS DEVICES AND/OR POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS, I BELIEVE EXIST DUE TO THE MALFUNCTIONING OF THE IGNITION COIL PACK. VWOA, IN MY OPINION, IS WELL AWARE OF THE MANY (POSSIBLY THOUSANDS) OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS ACROSS THE US AND STILL SEEK TO MARGINALIZE IT.

NHTSA complaint #10206128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Edison, NJ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VR6 1. COIL PACK. MODELS BEFORE THIS HAD INDIVIDUAL COIL PACKS THAT WERE RECALLED DUE TO CRACKING. THIS COIL PACK IS ENDURING THE SAME PROBLEMS IN MANY JETTA'S AND HAS YET TO QUALIFY AS A RECALL. WHY?? 2. WIPER BLADES STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENDURED THE SAME PROBLEM WHERE THE MOTOR STOPS WORKING.

NHTSA complaint #10205196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Berlin, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 15 MPH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, BUT THE VEHICLE SPEED FAILED TO INCREASE. AFTER THREE MINUTES, THE VEHICLE SPEED INCREASED TO 35 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND PERFORMED THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND PERFORMED THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE IGNITION COIL, BUT THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 150,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA complaint #10192164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 132,500 miles Fort Worth, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

I HAVE RECENTLY HAD THE IGNITION COIL ON MY 2001 VOLKSWAGON JETTA GLS VR6 GO BAD AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME. THIS CAUSES SUDDEN POWER LOSS WHILE ON THE ROAD AND COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ON HIGHWAYS OR OTHER HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS.

NHTSA complaint #10191762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Unknown, DC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA CUSTOMER WANTS TO KNOW IF IT HAS RECALLS ON IT**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED 3 TIMES FOR A LIGHT THAT KEEPS GOING OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10191123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Columbus, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

CONTINUING PROBLEM-RANDOM OCCURRENCES: ALL DOORS WILL LOCK UNEXPECTEDLY AND ALARM SYSTEM ARMS ITSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS UNEXPECTED OCCASIONS WITHOUT ANY ACTIVATION BY REMOTE LOCKING KEY FOB. DOORS WILL LOCK WITH DRIVER OR PASSENGER(S) INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE OR OPEN DOORS WILL TRIGGER THE ALARM AFTER THE DOORS HAVE AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED AND ARMED. STARTER IS DISABLED WHEN ALARM IS TRIGGERED. SAFETY CONCERN FROM BEING LOCKED OUT OF CAR UNEXPECTEDLY. CAR HAS LOCKED WITH KEYS IN THE CAR AND DRIVER OUTSIDE OF CAR, SUCH AS AT GAS STATION FILLING TANK. PANIC IS INDUCED WHEN DRIVER INADVERTENTLY TRIGGERS THE ALARM WHEN TRYING TO START THE ENGINE WHILE UNAWARE THAT THE CAR HAS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED ITSELF AND ARMED THE ALARM. FEAR OF SMALL CHILD BEING TRAPPED INSIDE CAR WHEN AUTO LOCKING/AUTO ARMING OCCURS.

NHTSA complaint #10184615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 46,205 miles Huntington Beach, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE LEAVING TO RUN ERRANDS WITH MY 1 YEAR OLD CHILD IN THE CARMY 2001 JETTA GLX VR6 STARTED LOSING POWER AS IF IT WOULD STALL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND EMISSIONS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MCKENNA VW THEY SAID I HAD A BAD IGNITION COIL, WIRES, AND SPARK PLUGS. WHILE RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I FOUND THAT THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC LEVEL ISSUE WITH 2001 JETTAS. A VW PRESS RELEASE CONTAINED INFORMATION THAT THEY WERE ISSUING A RECALL, HOWEVER VW REFUSED TO INCLUDE MY CAR IN THE RECALL FOR REASONS THEY WILL NOT DISCLOSE. THEY ARE SELECTIVELY CHOOSING WHICH CARS TO FIX, ALTHOUGH THIS PROBLEM IS VERY WIDE SPREAD AMONG ALL THEIR VEHICLES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AS CONSUMERS ARE GETTING FACED WITH $1100 BILLS FOR EACH IGNITION COIL DEFECT - I BELIEVE MINE HAS 6. THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST ONE, HOWEVER I'VE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT MULTIPLE COILS ARE FAILING CAUSING NEAR-ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA complaint #10181241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seekonk, MA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

OWNER WAS DRIVING VOLKSWAGEN AND NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM THE GLOVEBOX AREA. HE PULLED OVER, OPENED THE GLOVEBOX, BUT SAW ONLY SMOKE. HE THEN OPENED THE HOOD AND OBSERVED FLAMES ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BULKHEAD/FIREWALL. FIRE BURNED THROUGHOUT THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, THE FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE, AND PART OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE UNDETERMINED.

NHTSA complaint #10178189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2001 Volkswagen Jetta problems

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