MYRModel Year Report

2001 Volkswagen Jetta

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2001 Volkswagen Jetta
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
668
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2001

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

18% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 120 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2001 668 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2011: 607 complaints 2012: 500 complaints 2013: 517 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 159 complaints 2018: 31 complaints 2019: 549 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2021: 69 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 44 complaints 2025: 29 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1993 1994: 120 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2001 668 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2005 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2011: 607 complaints 2011 2012: 500 complaints 2013: 517 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 159 complaints 2017 2018: 31 complaints 2019: 549 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2021: 69 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2023 2024: 44 complaints 2025: 29 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1988 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1992 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 120 complaints 1994 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1998 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2001 668 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2004 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2006 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2010 2011: 607 complaints 2012: 500 complaints 2012 2013: 517 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2016 2017: 159 complaints 2018: 31 complaints 2018 2019: 549 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2021: 69 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2022 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 44 complaints 2024 2025: 29 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026

2001: 668 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19830
19841
198513
198614
198718
198819
198928
199022
199132
199230
199317
1994120
1995220
1996173
1997141
1998192
1999349
2000439
2001668
2002702
2003456
2004231
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008188
2009888
2010852
2011607
2012500
2013517
2014386
2015194
2016161
2017159
201831
2019549
202053
202169
202243
202343
202444
202529
20266

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

18% · 122 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and module.

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, 2018-01-17

Also filed under Service brakes

Engine and engine cooling

17% · 112 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIRE

Air bags

15% · 103 reports

Most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

2001 Volkswagen Jetta. Consumer stated that airbags did not deploy during auto accident. *ld the consumer was severely injured. The vehicle was totaled.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-01-28

I was driving to my parents house on christmas morning with four other passengers when I hit a pot hole going less than 25 MPH when my passenger side curtain and passenger thorax airbag deployed without warning shutting off my engine and filling my...

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-12-26

Consumer states that when hit at 80MPH in the front center of the vehicle the air bag did not deploy causing minor injuries to the consumer. Dealer notified…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-21

Exterior lighting

13% · 90 reports

Most commonly citing switch and brake lights.

CRASH

Service brakes

13% · 84 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIRE

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2001Complaint volume 668 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2002-03-08Service brakes, hydraulic02V031000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2003-07-29Equipment02V244000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2003-12-17Recall queryClosed 2004-03-01 Brake light switch
  5. R
    2004-04-30Exterior lighting04V096000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2004-10-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-12-16 Turn signal/hazard flasher failure
  7. I
    2004-12-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-04-01 Inadvertent side-airbag deployment
  8. R
    2005-03-31Exterior lighting04V584000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2005-08-11Defect petitionClosed 2005-12-08 Engine stalling
  10. I
    2006-02-28Recall queryClosed 2006-08-07 Brake light switch failure
  11. R
    2006-11-27Exterior lighting06V183000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2007-04-27Exterior lighting07V063000 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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2014-05-01Engine and engine cooling14E007000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2001 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 122 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 112 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 103 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V031000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 02V244000 · Equipment
  • Recall 04V096000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 04V584000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06V183000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07V063000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 14E007000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 electrical system, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.