FaultScore

2001 Volkswagen Jetta engine problems

123 of the 862 complaints about the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta are about the engine — 14% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 52,675 miles.

B

123

Complaints

1

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine AND Engine Cooling 32 26.0%
Engine 26 21.1%
Gasoline 18 14.6%
Emission Control 13 10.6%
Engine 9 7.3%
Exhaust System 8 6.5%
Catalytic Convertor 7 5.7%
Cooling System 5 4.1%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2 1.6%
GAS Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) 1 0.8%

Engine & Cooling across every Volkswagen Jetta year

1994 24 1.2%
1995 31 1.6%
1997 11 0.6%
1998 17 0.9%
1999 87 4.4%
2000 145 7.3%
2001 123 6.2%
2002 114 5.7%
2003 61 3.1%
2004 50 2.5%
2005 69 3.5%
2006 94 4.7%
2007 25 1.3%
2008 27 1.4%
2009 169 8.5%
2010 189 9.5%
2011 115 5.8%
2012 92 4.6%
2013 116 5.8%
2014 114 5.7%
2015 46 2.3%
2016 45 2.3%
2017 34 1.7%
2019 149 7.5%
2020 12 0.6%
2022 12 0.6%
2023 12 0.6%
2024 12 0.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Ferguson, MO

ENGINE

TAKATA RECALL -THE VEHICLE

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

at 73,000 miles SAN Jacinto, CA

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #11183338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stuarts Draft, VA

ENGINE

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 137,354 miles Bradenton, FL

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10849951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 139,500 miles LOS Angeles, CA

ENGINE

THE CAR DIES WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS BOTH ON THE FREEWAY AND ON THE STREETS. THE GAS PEDAL SUDDENLY STOPS WORKING, ENGINE SHUTS OFF. WHEN I PULL TO THE SIDE AND TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN, THE CAR STARTS WORKING AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE AUTO SHOP, BUT THE ISSUE WASN'T IDENTIFIED AFTER THE INSPECTION, TEST DRIVING AND CODE READING.

NHTSA complaint #10734378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Canyon Country, CA 2 injured

ENGINE

ON MY WAY TO AN APPOINTMENT 1 DAY LAST YR, I HAD MY AIR CONDITIONER ON THEN MY CAR STARTS OVERHEATING. I WAS PANICKING, I HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO DO, ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS WAS MY FIRST CAR. I BARELY GOT HER IN 2011 AND I'VE HAD ENDLESS PROBLEMS WITH HER. WHEN SHE RUNS GOOD, SHE RUNS GREAT BUT OHH WHEN SHE HAS PROBLEMS, SHE BRINGS YOU ABSOLUTE HELL. IT BEGAN AS A SLOW LEAK & ODDLY ENOUGH ONLY LEAKING SOMETIMES. WE TOOK MY JETTA TO A SHOP IN VALENCIA AND GOT THE HOSES AND THERMOSTAT REPLACED. WHATEVER REASON THE MECHANICS DID NOT NOTICE IT, OR NOTICED IT & WERE TRYING TO SQUEEZE MORE MONEY OUT OF ME WHILE THEY DID A TEMPORARY FIX. BARELY THIS YEAR I DISCOVERED THANKS TO MY HANDY MECHANICS SAVVY BOYFRIEND - THAT IT WAS MY WATER PUMP WHICH IS DEFECTIVE. 2 INJURIES OCCURRED TO MY BOYFRIEND THANKS TO THIS OVERHEATING PROBLEM. DRIVING ON THE FWY WE STOPPED TO PUT WATER (RELIGIOUSLY CARRYING 4 GALLONS OF WATER IN THE CAR AT ALL TIMES) IN 100* WEATHER W/ NO A/C & ME BEING SEVERELY HEAT INTOLERANT, MY BOYFRIEND TOOK OFF THE CAP TO THE RADIATOR. THAT'S WHEN BOILING HOT WATER EXPLODED ALL OVER HIM. LUCKILY I'M FIRST AID CERTIFIED AND HAD MY FIRST AID KIT HANDY & TENDED TO HIM. HE BEGAN TO BLISTER INSTANTANEOUSLY. THAT SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN BUT WITH MY TEMP. GAUGE READING AT REGULAR TEMP. STILL EXPLODING ALL OVER HIM. I WAS LEFT TRAUMATIZED SEEING MY BOYFRIEND GET BURNT AND SO SEVERELY IN PAIN, AS WELL AS MY OWN EXPERIENCE WHEN I WAS ALONE: MY CAR SHUT OFF ON ME AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE TRAFFIC COMING FROM BEHIND ME HAD A SLOW REFLEX TO MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS: I ALMOST GOT HIT 5 TIMES: LUCKY FOR ME, MY HORN WORKS. WELL, NOW THE WATER LEAKS OUT JUST AS QUICKLY AS WE POUR IT IN. MY CAR IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AND SHE'S ALL I HAVE. I'M JOBLESS & HOMELESS RIGHT NOW & IF I WERE TO LOSE MY CAR, I'D BE LEFT COMPLETELY HOPELESS HAVING TO START FROM SCRATCH AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10631561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,642 miles Charlotte, NC

ENGINE

BEWARE OF THIS USED CAR - IT NEEDS SERIOUS MECHANICAL WORK. I TEST DROVE IT AND REALIZED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS, THE TIMING CHAIN RATTLES, AND THE A/C DID NOT WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10560748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bristol, VA

ENGINE

THE 2001 V.W. JETTA: THIS VEHICLE BURNS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL, APPROXIMATELY 1 QUART PER MONTH, IN DAILY, EVERDAY USAGE, CITY TRAFFIC AND SHORT HIGHWAY TRIPS, AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF OIL, EVEN WITH REGULAR OIL/FILTER CHANGES. V.W. HAS NOT NOTIFIED ME OF THIS PROBLEM, NOR CORRECTED IT AND DEALERS' WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE, SHODDY, FLIP-BACK, PLASTIC ARM REST IS BROKEN, CHEAPLY MADE, IT WILL NOT RETAIN OR HOLD THE DRIVER'S ARM, IT IS LOCATED ADJACENT AND NEAR THE AUTO. TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT, IT COULD AND DOES FAIL, A SAFETY HAZARD. REAR TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHTS BURN-OUT AT EXCESSIVE RATES, OFTEN ENOUGH FOR IT TO BE A NUISANCE, TO REPLACE THEM. PLEASE HAVE V.W. CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS @ THEIR OWN EXPENSE, NOT MINE, OWNER.

NHTSA complaint #10542302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,000 miles Crystal, VA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING OIL EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,295.

NHTSA complaint #10542295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,000 miles SAN Francisco, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

at 100,000 miles Lansing, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE VW JETTA VR6 2001 THAT I PURCHASED LAST YEAR FOR $7,000 (FINANCING THROUGH MY CREDIT UNION) IS A LEMON. I HAVE HAD IT LESS THAN A YEAR AND ALREADY SPENT $2000 ON MINOR REPAIRS AND I ESTIMATE THAT RIGHT NOW IT NEEDS ABOUT $4000 MORE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. I BELIEVE THAT SUNDANCE IMPROPERLY SOLD THIS CAR, KNOWING THAT A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF THINGS ARE WRONG WITH IT. I HAD A GARAGE WITH WHICH THEY ARE AFFILIATED LOOK AT IT AND COMPLETELY MISREPRESENTED THE SHAPE OF THE CAR. SINCE ACQUIRING IT I HAVE BEEN PLAGUED WITH DIFFICULTIES WITH IT, FROM HEAD LIGHTS MYSTERIOUSLY GOING OUT, TO THE WATER PUMP FAILING, TO THE SERPENTINE COIL FAILING, NOW TO THE AIR COMPRESSOR FAILING, AS WELL AS THE COMPUTER TO THE A/C, AND TODAY IT IS THE EPC CODE (WHICH I BELIEVE HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH EITHER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, OR COMPUTER - BUT THE THING IS LOSING POWER AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD), NOT TO MENTION THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. HAVING BEEN PLAGUED WITH THESE ISSUES, I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER VW JETTA VR6 2001 OWNERS WHO ARE ADAMANT THAT THIS CAR IS A MANUFACTURED LEMON. VW NEEDS TO BE IN SOME WAY HELD ACCOUNTABLE - ALL OF US HAVE HAD NIGHTMARISH LIVES AND ARE PAYING FOR THE DEFECTS EVERY DAY.

NHTSA complaint #10335769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,000 miles Holmde, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE MY CAR AT SCHOOL IN SOUTH BEND INDIANA AND IT IS STORED OUTSIDE. EARLY THIS WINTER THE CAR STARTED TO IDLE VERY ROUGH. IF I TRIED TO GO TOO QUICKLY AFTER TURNING THE CAR ON I WOULD GET A FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT READ FOR A RANDOM CYLINDER MISFIRE WHEN THE CODE WAS PULLED. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. SO I HAD TO LET THE ENGINE IDLE FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES SO THAT IT COULD TRY AND WARM UP BEFORE I COULD GO ANYWHERE. IN MID FEBRUARY I TURNED THE CAR ON IN THE AFTERNOON AND I NOTICED IT WAS IDLING VERY ROUGH. SO I CRACKED THE HOOD AND THERE I SAW SPARKS JUMPING FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE SPARK PLUG WIRES TO THE ENGINE BLOCK. A MECHANIC CONFIRMED WHAT I SUSPECTED, THAT THE COIL PACK WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DID AN ONLINE SEARCH AND FOUND THAT VW HAD ISSUED A RECALL FOR VR6S THAT HAD PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED COIL PACKS. HOWEVER, WHEN I CALLED THEM ABOUT IT I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT WAS NOT THE RIGHT ENGINE MODEL BECAUSE THEY CHANGED ENGINE MODELS HALF WAY THROUGH 2001 AND MY CAR WAS THE OLD MODEL. DESPITE THE FACT THAT I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A CRACKING COIL PACK IN A CAR OF THE RIGHT MODEL FROM THE SAME YEAR THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. THESE COIL PACKS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MANY VR6 OWNERS AS EVIDENCE FROM THE EXTENSIVE ONLINE FORUMS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW MY CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND DOCUMENTED HISTORY AS THE 2003 RECALL ISN'T ALSO COVERED IN THE RECALL. I HAVE NOT HAD THE COIL PACK REPAIRED YET BECAUSE IT COSTS 500 DOLLARS AND I DON'T HAVE THAT TO SPEND RIGHT KNOW.

NHTSA complaint #10320785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 73,000 miles Trumbull, CT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

OUR 2001 VW JETTA GLS SPUTTERS INTERMITTENTLY AND LOOSES ACCELERATION POWER AT IN OPPORTUNE TIMES. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE IGNITION COIL, AND THAT VW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ARE RECALLING CERTAIN MODELS. OURS HAS NOT HAD THE RECALL AS OF 11/1/09. WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BLINKS. I HAVE FOUND THAT PULLING OVER, SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND REMOVING THE KEY FOR 30 SECONDS AND THEN RE-STARTING SOLVES THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE DEALER PULLED THE CHECK ENGINE CODES, THERE WERE 2. ONE FOR THE MISFIRE AND A "CATALYST EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD. THE DEALER SAID THE LATTER IS DUE TO THE MISFIRE AND IN TIME THE MISFIRES WILL RUIN THE CATALYST. UNFORTUNATELY AT OVER 75000 MILES AND 8.5 YEARS, NO WARRANTIES APPLY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD EASILY CAUSE A COLLISION AND WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, WE WILL HAVE THE IGNITION COIL REPLACED. VW IS CLEARLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS AND SHOULD ACCELERATE THEIR RECALL CAMPAIGN ON THIS ISSUE. ALSO, THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE CATALYSTS THAT HAVE HAD THEIR USEFUL LIFE LOWERED BY THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10290744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 153,000 miles Hyde Park, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WOLFSBURG EDITION: CYLINDER 3 MISFIRED DUE TO A FAULTY COILPACK. COILPACK WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER CYLINDERS 2 AND 4 MISFIRE. WHEN THE MECHANIC TESTED THE COILPACKS, THEY WERE WORKING PROPERLY. PRESENTLY, RANDOM CYLINDERS CONTINUE TO MISFIRE EVEN THOUGH BRAND NEW COIL PACKS ARE INSTALLED. THIS CAUSES MY VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND IDLE VERY ROUGH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO FLASH WHICH IS CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY BRAND NEW CAT CONVERTER.

NHTSA complaint #10289221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles MT Pleasant, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH OR LESS, THE VEHICLE WOULD REV AND PERFORMED AS IF IT WOULD STALL. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10262424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,000 miles Woodland Hills, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IT HAS BEEN STUTTERING WHILE IDLE. I HAVE REPLACED THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR, MASTER SENSOR, SEVERAL HOSES AND CONNECTORS AND PARTS OF THE ENGINE. NOW IT STOPS WHILE I'M WAITING AT RED LIGHTS.

NHTSA complaint #10259640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Paris, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A USED CAR AND, WITHIN THE SAME WEEK, IT BEGAN TO STALL. THE DEALER COULD FIND NO FAILURES. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND THEY GAVE HER A LIST OF ALL THE FAILURES. THE LIST INCLUDED THE TRANSMISSION, RATTLING IN THE ENGINE, AND THE BRAKE SENSORS. THERE ARE FOUR DIFFERENT TIRES ON THE VEHICLE AND EACH ARE THE INCORRECT SIZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DOES NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR ALL THESE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA complaint #10253576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Sacramento, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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 109,000 miles Racine, WI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE FAILED, WHICH PREVENTED A CRASH FROM OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109,000. UPDATED 11/25/08. *LJ WHEN THE ENGINE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, THE FORCE PUSHED THE DRIVER BACK INTO THE SEAT. THE SPEED WAS SO GREAT, THAT THE ENGINE REDLINE AND BLEWOUT THE MOTOR. UPDATED 11/25/08.

NHTSA complaint #10247274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LA Quinta, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I OWN A 2001 VW JETTA. I BOUGHT IT 3 YEARS AGO, USED FROM THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. THE AUTOMOBILE WAS SOLD AS A "CERTIFIED" AUTO, WHICH I FOUND OUT LATER DOES NOT MEAN MUCH. MY TRUNK IS LOCKED SHUT AND DOES NOT OPEN MANUALLY OR WITH REMOTE, I'VE HAD TO REPLACE CV BOOTS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, TRANSMISSION AND NUMEROUS HEADLIGHT, TAILLIGHT AND BLINKER BULBS. AND TODAY ONE OF MY HEADLIGHTS IS SO DIM, IT DOESN'T REALLY PROVIDE ANY LIGHT WHEN IT IS DARK. I HAVE REPLACED IT AND REPLACED IT. IT STAYS FINE FOR ABOUT 2 DAYS AND THEN JUST DIMS OUT AGAIN. I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP TAKING IT TO VOLKSWAGEN. IT'S A RIP OFF AND THEY DON'T EVEN FIX ANYTHING RIGHT ANYWAY. MY ENGINE FAN WENT OUT ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE OTHER DAY, CAUSING THE CAR TO OVERHEAT. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED. THAT ISN'T THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT TOWED. THE INTERIOR PLASTIC COATING ON ARMRESTS AND ALL PLASTIC INSIDE IS PEELING AND LOOKS TERRIBLE. WHEN I PUSH UNLOCK ALL DOORS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK SEAT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS I REACH INSIDE AND PULL THE LOCK OPEN MANUALLY. THERE IS SO MUCH MORE, BUT I DON'T WANT TO WASTE MY TIME. I KNOW NOTHING WILL HAPPEN, EVEN THOUGH IT IS SO OBVIOUS THAT THESE CARS ARE COMPLETE LEMONS, AND THEY NEED TO STOP SELLING THEM TO PEOPLE.

NHTSA complaint #10237307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Farmingdale, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED FAILURE IDENTICAL TO THE ONE MENTIONED IN THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VIN AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000.

NHTSA complaint #10235293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fayetteville, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

at 103,604 miles Pasadena, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1). INCIDENT HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING, LEADING TO A LOSS OF POWER AND MANUEVERABLE. OWNER HAD TO DRIFT INTO RIGHT-HAND LANE TO FIND A PLACE TO PULL OVER. 2). NO DAMAGE OR INJURY WAS CAUSED BY THE INCIDENT, AS THERE WAS MINIMAL TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY AT THAT TIME OF DAY. HOWEVER, LOSING POWER SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING COULD BE DISASTROUS IN HEAVIER TRAFFIC SITUATIONS OR ADVERSE ROAD CONDITIONS. CONSEQUENCE WAS TO LIMP TO CAR DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM DIAGNOSE AND MAKE REPAIR TO VEHICLE AT OWNER'S OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSE. 3). CAR DEALERSHIPS DIAGNOSIS FOUND FAULTY ENGINE SPEED SENSOR (PART # 06A-906-433-C). SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE.

NHTSA complaint #10225191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 121,000 miles Easton, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DURING THE PAST MONTH I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN 2 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, WITH ENGINE SPUTTERING AND STALLING PERIODICALLY. THE FIRST TIME THE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED (DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THEY WERE LOSE AND BLACK), SECOND TIME THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY, WHICH WAS DUE TO BE REPLACED ANYWAY. NOW I AM ONE WEEK SINCE THE LAST SERVICE AND THE LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IF I DEPRESS THE CLUTCH FOR TOO LONG THE VEHICLE MAY SPUTTER AND POSSIBLY STALL, IT STALLED TWICE AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON MY WAY TO WORK, AND WHEN I TAKE OFF I HAVE TO HEAVILY ACCELERATE OR IT JUST WILL NOT GO AT ALL. I AM GOING TO CHECK THE MAF (MASS AIR FLOW) MYSELF TO SEE IF I CAN SEE ANYTHING, ELSE IT WILL BE BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP ON FRIDAY.

NHTSA complaint #10222290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tampa, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

MULTIPLE FAILURES OF RADIATOR FAN, LEADING TO MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS; MULTIPLE FAILURES/REPLACEMENTS OF OXYGEN SENSOR AND MASS FLOW SENSOR; MISDIAGNOSED REPLACEMENT OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER; WATER LEAKAGE INTO INTERIOR OF CAR; INCIDENTS STARTING OCCURRING IN 2004, LATEST IN MARCH 2008; NUMBER OF FAILURES IS AN AVERAGE OF 3 FOR EACH NOTED PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10222010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tampa, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

MULTIPLE FAILURES OF RADIATOR FAN, LEADING TO MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS; MULTIPLE FAILURES/REPLACEMENTS OF OXYGEN SENSOR AND MASS FLOW SENSOR; MISDIAGNOSED REPLACEMENT OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER; WATER LEAKAGE INTO INTERIOR OF CAR; INCIDENTS STARTING OCCURRING IN 2004, LATEST IN MARCH 2008; NUMBER OF FAILURES IS AN AVERAGE OF 3 FOR EACH NOTED PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10222010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,521 miles Riverside, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE FAILURE WAS THAT THE LOOSE SPARK PLUG WIDENED THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER AND THAT CAUSED THE LOUD VIBRATION IN THE ENGINE. IT ALSO AFFECTED THE FUNCTION OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM, TOO. SO, I WAS TOLD BY THE RIVERSIDE VW DEALERSHIP THAT THE WHOLE CHAMBER HAS TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $5,400. THE RIVERSIDE DEALERSHIP MADE A CONTACT WITH NEW CENTURY DEALERSHIP IN GLENDALE, CA AND THEY DID THE TUNE-UP ON APRIL 5, 2004. IT WAS CLEARLY THE MECHANIC WHO DID NOT SCREW THE SPARK PLUG TIGHTLY. IT WAS THE HUMAN ERROR ON THE PART OF THE DEALERSHIP. I COULD NOT USE THE CAR DUE TO THIS UNNECESSARY ERROR THAT COULD BE PREVENTABLE. I HAVE BEEN TAKING MY JETTA TO ALL THE VW DEALERSHIPS TO DO MAINTENANCE SERVICES AND REPAIRS, AS WELL. MY FEELING IS THAT THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE PART WHERE THE SPARK PLUGS ARE AT NO COST DUE TO CARELESS ERROR.

NHTSA complaint #10221368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,322 miles Sterling, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS GONE BAD AND VW HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS HOWEVER BECAUSE MY CAR HAS THE V6 ENGINE I AM TOLD THAT I AM NOT COVERED WHEN MY VIN NUMBER IS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. DEALER HAS VERIFIED THE PROBLEM BUT DECLINED SERVICE BASED ON ENGINE SIZE.

NHTSA complaint #10205949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Angeles, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

I RECEIVED LAST MONTH A RECALL NOTICE DATED MAY 2007 FROM VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA FOR THE 2001 JETTA V6. IT WAS FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SOFTWARE FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MONITORING SYSTEM. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO GO IMMEDIATELY TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER FOR REPAIR. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND BROUGHT THE CAR YESTERDAY TO THE LOCAL DEALER, SANTA MONICA VOLKSWAGEN. THE SERVICE TEAM INFORMED ME THAT VOLKSWAGEN, HAD UNANNOUNCED TO OWNERS, CLOSED THE RECALL BECAUSE IT HAD YET TO WORK OUT A PERMANENT FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA SHOULD HAVE SENT OWNERS WHO'D RECEIVED THE ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE A LETTER INFORMING THEM NOT TO ACT ON THE RECALL, NOT TO BRING THEIR CARS IN. THIS PROBLEM WITH THE ECM SOFTWARE HAS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE FOR YEARS, HAVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PERMANENTLY ILLUMINATED. VOLKSWAGEN NEVER INFORMED OWNERS OF THIS. AS A RESULT, I SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS WITH MY OWN MECHANIC, NOT VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, TRYING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. OVERALL, I HAVE BEEN HIGHLY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS RECALL. I CONTINUE TO DRIVE A CAR WITH THIS DEFECT. WASTED A MORNING YESTERDAY AT THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER BECAUSE OF AN ERRONEOUS RECALL NOTICE SENT TO ME BY VOLKSWAGEN, AND I HAVE ALREADY INCURRED SIGNIFICANT EXPENSES TRYING TO SOLVE A PROBLEM THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS KNOWN ABOUT, EVIDENTLY, FOR MANY YEARS WITHOUT ACTING.

NHTSA complaint #10196752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bowie, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE CAR WOULD INCREASE/DECREASE SPEED INCONSISTENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WOULD SMELL HORRIBLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD BE ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL WORK. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COIL AND THAT IT WAS ALREADY DONE UNDER ANOTHER RECALL. TURNS OUT THAT IT WASN'T DONE UNDER A RECALL- I PAID FOR IT OUT OF POCKET AFTER THE RECALL WAS ISSUED FEBRUARY 03 BY VOLKSWAGEN. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN TO FIND OUT IF I COULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COILS THAT I PAID TO INSTALL AND WAS TOLD THAT "MY VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL." THE PRESS RELEASE CLEARLY STATES THAT"ALL VOLKSWAGENS EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.8L ENGINE" QUALIFIES. NOW- I'M STUCK. I NEED TO PAY FOR NEW IGNITION COILS AGAIN AND NEITHER SET QUALIFIES FOR THE RECALL. A WEB SEARCH HAS TURNED UP MANY OTHER CONSUMERS THAT ARE DEALING WITH THIS SAME ISSUE WITH VW. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THOSE OF US DRIVING VW AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD WITH US. THIS IS MY FOURTH JETTA AND MAY BE MY LAST BASED UPON MY EXPERIENCES IN GETTING THIS RESOLVED.

NHTSA complaint #10195237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2001 Volkswagen Jetta problems

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