MYRModel Year Report

2001 Volkswagen Jetta

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2001 Volkswagen Jetta
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Jetta Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2001 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 1 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1991: 31 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1992 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 117 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 31 complaints 1997: 54 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1998 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2001 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 455 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2004 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2010 2011: 606 complaints 2012: 499 complaints 2013: 515 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2015: 193 complaints 2016: 160 complaints 2016 2017: 158 complaints 2018: 30 complaints 2019: 537 complaints 2020: 51 complaints 2021: 65 complaints 2022: 41 complaints 2022 2023: 41 complaints 2024: 36 complaints 2025: 21 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
2001: 668 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19830
19841
198513
198614
198718
198819
198928
199022
199131
199230
199317
1994117
1995220
199631
199754
1998192
1999349
2000439
2001668
2002702
2003455
2004231
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008188
2009888
2010852
2011606
2012499
2013515
2014386
2015193
2016160
2017158
201830
2019537
202051
202165
202241
202341
202436
202521
20263

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 58 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

I RECEIVED A SEVERE RIGHT FOREARM FRACTURE, REQUIRING SURGERY, FROM A DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. THE ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE IN A PARKING LOT AND MY CAR WAS ALMOST STOPPED AT THE TIME. TWO FINGERS WERE ALSO BROKEN/DISLOCATED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020906

CONSUMER WAS STRUCK ON PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEN BEING HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20001113

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 48 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 46 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180117

VISIBILITY 7%

7% of complaints: visibility — 45 distinct reports on file.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6%

6% of complaints: exterior lighting — 40 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2001 — complaint volume: 668
R 20020308 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

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

Campaign 02V031000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030729 — equipment

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 REA

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 ANCH

Campaign 02V244000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20031217 — RQ (closed 20040301)

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH

R 20040430 — exterior lighting

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

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-

Campaign 04V096000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20041019 — PE (closed 20041216)

TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE

I 20041216 — PE (closed 20050401)

INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT

R 20050331 — exterior lighting

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 OCC

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.

Campaign 04V584000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050811 — DP (closed 20051208)

ENGINE STALLING

I 20060228 — RQ (closed 20060807)

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE

R 20061127 — exterior lighting

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

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 I

Campaign 06V183000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070427 — exterior lighting

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

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. VEHICLE

Campaign 07V063000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140501 — engine and engine cooling

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013...

Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

Campaign 14E007000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2001 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (58 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (48 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (46 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V031000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V244000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V096000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V584000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V183000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V063000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14E007000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2018 ▲ 1992 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ■ 2010 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta?

The most-reported component is air bags:side/window, accounting for 9% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.