64 of the 862 complaints about the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta are about the transmission — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 39,000 miles.
64
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
POWER TRAIN
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.
POWER TRAIN
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR HAS PROBLEMS SHIFTING GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10313653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED, FAILS TO SHIFT.
NHTSA complaint #10250114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2001 VW JETTA VR6 FOR YEARS MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS OCCASIONALLY SLIPPED WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. ALSO, MY GEAR SELECTOR SLIPS BETWEEN "D" AND "3" WITHOUT AN RESISTANCE. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, WITH MY CAR BEING REGULARLY MAINTAINED, THIS PROBLEM BECAME PERSISTENT. NOW, EVERY TIME THE CAR SHIFTS FROM 2ND TO 3RD THE CAR SHIFTS/BUCKS VERY HARD. ALSO, THE GEAR SELECTOR EASILY MOVES FROM "D" TO "3" AND WHILE IN "3" THE DASH STILL SHOWS THE CAR TO BE IN "D". I'M AFRAID THIS IS GOING TO DROP MY TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING. I'VE ASKED TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND ONE SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE, WHILE THE OTHER SAID THAT IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS CAR BECAUSE VW PUT POOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS IN THESE CARS. I ALSO HAVE THE CRAYON SMELL IN MY CAR THAT DOES MAKE ME AND MY PASSENGERS SOMEWHAT ILL FEELING. HOWEVER, I'M MORE CONCERNED WITH MY TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #10248770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION THREE TIMES WITHIN THREE MONTHS. THERE IS A DIAL PIN THE DIFFERENTIAL GEAR, WHICH CAME OUT OF PLACE AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, WHICH SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 134,000. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/17/08.
NHTSA complaint #10234355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT, THE VEHICLE LUNGES AND/OR SURGES INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE VEHICLE TAKES A LONG TIME TO SHIFT FROM THIRD TO FOURTH GEAR AND THEN DRIVES NORMALLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,594 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10218712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THERE IS .5 TO 1 SECOND DELAY TO ENGAGE FORWARD GEAR. AT FIRST IT WAS BARELY NOTICEABLE BUT NOW IT FEELS LIKE 1 TO 2 SECONDS PASS BEFORE DRIVE GEAR IS ENGAGED. WHEN PARKING ON A HILL CAR ROLLS BACK.
NHTSA complaint #10217747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT REPORTED TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REMEDIED THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND ONE MONTH LATER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPC LIGHTS BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. WHEN THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED THE CURRENT SPEED IN WHICH THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING, REDUCED DRASTICALLY. THE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS BAD WIRING AND PERFORMED THE REMEDY, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUES TO PERSIST. THE CONTACT THEN STATED FAILURE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH, HOWEVER IT WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED BY THE DEALER. THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH FAILURE ALSO CONTINUED TO PERSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 52,908 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.AK
NHTSA complaint #10187017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
FAULTY TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. CONSEQUENCE: QUOTE OF $5135 FOR THE REPAIR. CAR WAS 6000 MILES OVER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10182848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING IN SLOW ROAD REPAIR TRAFFIC ON I90 NEAR KIRTLAND/MENTOR OHIO, MY CLUTCH SYSTEM FAILED. WAS DRIVING JUST FINE KEEPING CAR IN 1ST GEAR AND AT A STOP IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR WAS STAYING IN GEAR EVEN WHEN REMOVING FOOT FROM CLUTCH PEDAL. CLUTCH PEDAL WAS STUCK IN FULL DOWN POSITION. -- COULD NOT EASILY SHIFT GEARS OR GET CAR OUT OF GEAR ONCE THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED, AND WAS FORCED TO KEEP STARTING AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE FOR APPROX. 2 MILES UNTIL I COULD EXIT. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO CLASSIC VW ON TYLER BLVD IN MENTOR. HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS THE CLUTCH MASTER AND SLAVE CYLINDERS MUST BE REPLACED AND THEN THE BRAKE LINES MUST BE BLED AND REFILLED. REPAIR COSTS WILL BE BETWEEN $700 AND $1000.
NHTSA complaint #10160323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) JETTA . THE VIN IS[XXX]. VEHICLE HAS 54,953 MILES ON IT AND YESTERDAY I HAD TO HAVE THE SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID REPLACED. SOMETIMES AFTER DRIVING IF YOU WOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF DRIVE AND PUT IT IN PARK OR ANOTHER GEAR IT WOULD GET STUCK IN THAT GEAR. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW SINCE I FEEL THIS COULD POSSIBLY BE A MAJOR CONCERN.*AK UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10148844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
THE CLUTCH OF MY 2001 JETTA (1.8 LITER TURBO MANUAL 5-SPEED) STARTED GOING OUT LAST JULY, WHEN THE CAR WAS NOT EVEN 4 YEARS OLD AND HAD ONLY 30K MILES. (I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER.) IT IS GETTING WORSE. TWICE NOW I'VE TAKEN IT TO MY VW SERVICE DEALER ONLY TO BE MET BY BAFFLED STARES. THE VW MECHANICS THERE KEEP SAYING THAT THE CLUTCHES ON THESE CARS ARE FINE, AND THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. BUT TONIGHT I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A TERRIBLE PATTERN OF BAD CLUTCHES ON THE JETTAS, ESPECIALLY THE 2001 1.8 TURBOS, WITH EXACTLY THESE SAME SYMPTOMS! HOW ABOUT A RECALL? IN THE MEANTIME, CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME GET THEM TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT MY CAR? MY CHILD AND I I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED WHEN THE CLUTCH FAILED THIS MORNING ON A CROWDED, FAST-MOVING FREEWAY! THANK YOU, CELESTE WISER, M.D.
NHTSA complaint #10145427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
(1) NORMAL DRIVING, REGULAR SCHEDULED DEALER MAINTAINANCE BEFORE THE FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH. THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION BECAME DIFFICULT TO PUT INTO GEAR AND NOISE STARTED TO COME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. (2) CLUTCH FAILED AND IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE TRANSMISSION. DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR RECOMMENDED LOOKING AT TRANSMISSION AND THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE CLUTCH HAD FAILED. IMMEDIATE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT IT WAS DRIVER ERROR. LATER THAT DAY, AFTER EXAMINING THE PARTS THAT WERE REMOVED FROM THE CAR IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE SPRINGS OF THE CLUTCH PLATE HAD COME OUT OF THE METAL BRACKETS OF THE CLUTCH. DEALER CLAIMED THEY HAD ONLY SEEN THAT AS A RESULT OF MISUSE BUT DECIDED TO PARTIALLY WARRANTY THE PARTS AFTER DETERMINING THAT I HAD TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF THE CAR AND HAD EXHIBITED NO ABUSE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS FIRST INCIDENT TOOK PLACE WHEN THE CAR HAD 23K MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND I HAD OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS NEW. THE SECOND FAILURE WAS AT 73 K MILES IN MARCH OF 2005. THE SAME PARTS FAILED AND THE SAME DIAGNOSIS WAS MADE BY A DIFFERENT VW DEALERSHIP. THE CLUTCH FAILED IN THE SPRINGS BUT SHOWED NO OUTWARD SIGNS OF ABUSE OR EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE CLUTCH HAD APPROXIMATELY 50 K MILES OF USE BUT STILL HAD SIGNIFICANT MATERIAL LEFT ON THE CLUTCH PADS. THE FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH SPRINGS DAMAGED THE FLYWHEEL. AS RESULT I HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW FLYWHELEL, THROWOUT BEARING AND CLUTCH PLATE. AN APPEAL TO VW WAS REJECTED AND THEY SAID THAT THE DECISION WAS THE DEALERSHIP'S AND THAT THEY WOULD STAND BY THAT. I CONSIDER THIESE FAILURES TO BE CAUSED BY WEAK PARTS PROVIDED BY VW OF AMERICA. THIS SECOND FAILURE COST ME $1600.00 IN REPAIR COSTS.
NHTSA complaint #10134119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
EARLIER THIS YEAR, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON MY 2001 VW JETTA. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THIS. HOWEVER, WITHIN THE LAST MONTH, THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT LOCK (ASL) HAS NOT ALLOWED ME TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. USUALLY, I AM ABLE TO WAIT A MINUTE AND THE ASL LIGHT WILL GO OFF, OR I TURN OFF THE CAR OR FIDDLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. HOWEVER, THREE TIMES THIS PAST WEEK I HAVE GOTTEN STUCK AND HAVE HAD TO ABANDON THE CAR TEMPORARILY. THE LAST TIME, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET IT OUT OF PARK AND DRIVE IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC (I HAD AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY DEALERSHIP, BUT I COULDN'T GET IN FOR A WEEK). HE NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE OUT AGAIN, AND BELIEVES THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTION MAY BE RELATED TO THE ASL MALFUNCTION. THIS MAY EXPLAIN WHY THE ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL (EPC) LIGHT TURNS ON WHENEVER THE ASL LIGHT TURNS ON, AS IT INDICATES A PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRONICS. THE LOCAL MECHANIC IS CURRENTLY EXAMINING THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10131230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT *JB TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. ALSO, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT.*AK WATER INTRUSION FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE LEAVING 1/2" OF WATER ON FLOORBOARD. THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN SLIPPERY PEDALS AND WINDOWS FOGGING UP. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM..
NHTSA complaint #10130744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
THE CLUTCH ON MY 2001 VW JETTA HAS TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 50,000 MILES. AFTER DOIN G RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I REALIZED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY VICTIM OF THIS PROBLEM. THE COST FOR THIS REPAIR IS OVER $1000(FOR A CLUTCH).
NHTSA complaint #10128587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: WHEN THE CONSUMER WOULD START HER CAR AND TRY TO PUT IT IN GEAR, IT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER FIXED IT. THE CONSUMER WAS AT DEALER BECAUSE OF A RECALL AND HAD THEM LOOK AT THIS AT THE SAME TIME. *JB THE CONSUMER WITNESSED ANOTHER MAKE/MODEL VEHICLE WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM WHILE AT THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10126334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2001 VW JETTA VR6 TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT SMOOTHLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. ENGINE RPMS SPIKE/SURGE BEFORE ENGAGING NEXT HIGHEST GEAR, AT WHICH POINT THE GEAR IS SLAMMED INTO AS THE RPMS ARE TOO HIGH TO ENGAGE THE GEAR PROPERLY. HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT VW DEALERS TWO DIFFERENT TIMES (FOUR VISITS TOTAL) AND DEALERS SAY THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR THAT THEY RESET THE SHIFTING POINTS IN THE FUZZY LOGIC. INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP CALLS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE VALVE BODY, ALL ELECTRONICS AND HARD COMPONENTS IN VALVE BODY FOR A COST OF $3425. VW OF AMERICA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM EXITS UNLESS DIAGNOSED BY A VW DEALER AND WILL NOT PAY FOR DIAGNOSIS BY A THIRD PARTY MECHANIC. THIS PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED FOR OVER 15 MONTHS AND 30,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10120578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND PUTTING FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO MOVE INTO ANOTHER GEAR THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKE APPEARED TO LOCK THE GEAR SHIFT, AND YOU COULD NOT GET IT TO GO INTO ANOTHER GEAR. THE SHIFT WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10115442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH TRANSMISSION JERKED BEFORE SHIFTING GEARS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10113650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10112085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10110236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
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 ME THEY ARE REPLACING AT LEAST ONE OF THESE CLUTCH ASSEMBLIES PER WEEK, OFTEN ON LOW MILEAGE VEHICLES. SO FAR I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND IT SITS IDLE WHILE I INVESTIGATE THE APPLICABILITY OF AFTERMARKET, HEAVIER DUTY COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10107903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10107618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
2001 JETTA 1.8T CLUTCH BEGAN SLIPPING AT 34,600 MILES. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE FRICTION MATERIAL WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY WORN OFF OF THE CLUTCH DISC, MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE WAY THAT IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN. WE HAVE DRIVEN OVER 80K MILES IN ANOTHER MANUAL VEHICLE WITH NO PROBLEMS, SO I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS RATIONALE. THE CAR WENT IN FOR SERVICE AT 16,000 MILES FOR A STICKING CLUTCH. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS AT THAT TIME. THE CLUTCH MAY NOT HAVE FULLY ENGAGED EVEN WHEN THE PEDAL FINALLY RELEASED DUE TO FAULTY HYDRAULICS, SO THE CLUTCH PLATE WAS LIKELY WORN PREMATURELY BECAUSE IT WASN'T PROPERLY ENGAGING WITH THE FLYWHEEL. THE DEALER'S REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS $2100, INCLUDING $1200 FOR A REPLACEMENT CLUTCH KIT PLUS 10 HOURS OF LABOR. I THEN CALLED A SECOND LOCAL DEALER AND WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $753.94 FOR THE SAME CLUTCH KIT. WHEN I DECLINED THE DEALER'S REPAIR, I WAS CHARGED AN $83 DIAGNOSTIC FEE JUST TO GET MY CAR BACK. I THEN SPOKE WITH THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER AND A VW OF AMERICA REP ABOUT THE CYLINDER PROBLEM AND THE APPARENTLY HIGH RATE OF 1.8T CLUTCH FAILURES. BOTH CLAIMED THAT TOO MANY MILES HAD PASSED SINCE THAT FIRST REPAIR AND REITERATED THAT 1) THE CLUTCH IS A WEAR ITEM ONLY COVERED TO 12,000 MILES BY THE WARRANTY AND 2) I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FIXED THE VEHICLE FOR $1038 WITH A NON-OEM CLUTCH KIT. THIS PRICE ALSO INCLUDED NEW MASTER AND SLAVE CYLINDERS, WHICH HE FELT WERE LIKELY THE CAUSE THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH FAILURE. INCIDENTALLY, HE SAID THAT VW'S OWN SERVICE DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED TO MECHANICS INDICATED THAT A CLUTCH OVERHAUL SHOULD TAKE 4-5 HOURS (AS OPPOSED TO THE 10 HOURS QUOTED BY MY DEALER).
NHTSA complaint #10086556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE WITHIN THE PAST 4 YEARS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON EVERY OTHER WEEK. DEALER WAS NOT HELPING WITH THE EXISTING PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. BUT, IT WAS ONE ISSUE AFTER ANOTHER, AND VOLKSWAGEN WAS VERY EVASIVE IN RESPONDING TO THE PROBLEMS AT HAND.
NHTSA complaint #10081754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
THE CLUTCH ON MY 2001 VW JETTA 1.8T WENT OUT SLL OF A SUDDEN. THE CAR WAS DRIVING COMPLETELY FINE (GEARS WEREN'T STICKY OR CLUTCH LOOSE) AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY QUOTED $1600 FOR REPAIR (NEW CLUTCH KIT AND FLYWHEEL). I HAD IT TOWED AGAIN TO A VW SPECIALIST AND HE SAID THE CLUTCHES ON THE NEW VW'S SHOULD LAST AT LEAST 100,000 (AND THAT IS FOR SOMEONE WHO EVEN RIDES THE CLUTCH, HE SAID IT SHOULD LAST EVEN LONGER). VW REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS (EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A WARRANTTY UNTIL 48,000 MILES) SAYING IT WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. MY JETTA ONLY HAS 32,000 MILES. SO, WE HAD TO COVER THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET.
NHTSA complaint #10080547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.