10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,882 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Volkswagen Jetta brakes problems

brakes problem

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2001 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Dec 012010

Jetta 6-cyl

  • 89,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving approximately 13 mph the ABS light and the traction control light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician stated that there was a problem with the control module for the anti lock braking system. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that NHTSA recall campaign id number 02V031000 (service brakes, hydraulic: Anti lock) was related; however, the VIN was not included. A complaint was filed with the manufacturer. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000. Updated 02/14/11 updated 02/22/11

- Roslyn, NY, USA

problem #25

May 192008

Jetta

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that his ABS light illuminated. He called the manufacturer and they stated that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 02V031000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). He will take the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic. The current mileage was 64,000 and failure mileage was 62,000.

- Jersy City , NJ, USA

problem #24

Apr 222008

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 96,239 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. While attempting a U-turn at 15 mph, the vehicle lost all ABS and traction control ability. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they stated that his VIN was not included in the recall. The contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The vehicle has not been repaired. The recall number and description were unknown. The failure mileage was 96,239 and current mileage was 98,239. Updated 06/09/08

- Manitowoc, WI, USA

problem #23

Mar 032008

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On a clear day, dry pavement, went to brake in city traffic and brakes failed causing me to rear end the car in front ( causing $2600 damages) and totalling my car. No injuries. Air bag did not deploy, possibly due to the low speed I was travelling.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #22

Jun 292007

Jetta 4-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. On two different occasions, the rear brakes locked up. The first failure occurred while driving 60 mph and the second failure, while driving 35 mph. The contact stated that the vehicle became engulfed in smoke. He went to the dealer to have the vehicle repaired under recall notice # 02V031000 (service brakes, hydraulic: Antilock). Since the recall repair was performed, he has returned to the dealer twice due to the brake failure. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 127,000.

- Fox Island, WA, USA

problem #21

May 262006

Jetta 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles
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

- Freemont, CA, USA

problem #20

Oct 222004

Jetta 4-cyl Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am the original owner of a 2001, VW Jetta tdi. I took my car to West broad Volkswagen, richmond va, to have the brakes checked because I heard a squealing noise (just once). The dealer told me that my rear brakes need to be changed very soon and the cost would be $427! I asked, how could it just be the rear brakes" the service adviser could not explain. I stated to him that every car I have ever owned was front wheel drive and in all my years, it was always the front wheels to go first! I asked him didnT he think it strange that just one set of brakes have gone bad"&again, no answer. Based on what I have read, it is my belief that the brake pads are defective and it appears that this dealership is price gouging!

- Chester, VA, USA

problem #19

Aug 042003

Jetta

  • miles
Problems with 2001 Jetta brake system. Rear brake failure called for replacement of rotors, calipers and required a complete brake system flush. The consumer was concerned as to why the ABS warning light did not activate.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #18

Apr 152003

Jetta

  • miles
The consumer stated the ABS light illuminated. The dealer was contacted, however the problem had not been rectified.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #17

Aug 222003

(reported on)

Jetta

  • 29,700 miles
Vehicle experienced the same defect with ABS as stated in recall 02 V 031 000, but this vehicle was not included due to VIN.

- Queens Village, NY, USA

problem #16

Nov 292002

(reported on)

Jetta

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

@ 20000 miles desert VW performed warrenty service (5 weeks ago) which included a complete break inspection. At the time no problem was seen. @ 22000 miles both pads on the back were totally gone. I understand VW used a thinner pad on the 2001 Jetta's. this was to cut down on noise noted on the 2000 models in 2002 VW went back to the old pads. I contacted VW of America, and desert VW. Both told me changing the back brakes @ 22000 miles was normal. How was my pads being worn down to nothing missed at 20000" @ 22000 I'm doing a brake job on the back brakes only" it would seem that brakes, (on the back), should last 2 to 1 from the front. The shop that did the repair said he has never encounted this before and this shop handles imports only. Please contact me and I will forward all information to your office. I feel this is unsafe, costly and can be corrected.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #15

Nov 152002

Jetta

  • miles
Had problems prior with brake pedal vibrating when depressed slightly and also during turns with loss of brake power. ABS system replaced by local dealer. Had an incident after replacement. Going down a hill at 45 mph with a right bend, applied brakes. Same vibration in brake pedal, no braking power and steering kicked car sharply to left and ended up off the road. Then everything seemed to work again but still experiencing problems car going in for more service yet again.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #14

Jul 142002

Jetta

  • miles
Smoldering fire put out with fire extinguisher. May be related to antilock brake system recall. Will contact dealer and manufacturer.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #13

May 212002

(reported on)

Jetta

  • miles
Received recall 02V031000 notice and had repair work done. When repairs were finished problem started again. Did not have problem with brakes until recall repairs were done.

- Quincy, MA, USA

problem #12

May 312001

Jetta

  • miles
Brake do not engage properly, consumer was informed on the first visit that there was an air pocket in the brake system, new brake fluid was added and the brakes were rebleed, however consumer began experiencing the problem again and the dealer found that the master cylinder was leaking which was replaced, consumer is again experiencing the same problem.

- Pacifica, CA, USA

problem #11

Sep 012001

Jetta

  • miles
While driving windshield wipers quit. Also, ABS light illuminated. Took vehicle to dealer, and they couldn't duplicate problem.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #10

Apr 232002

Jetta

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer experienced a burning wire smell inside vehicle, prior to the recall # 02 V 031 000. ABS light illuminated.*jbconsumer was told by dealer the problem was not serious and did not require immediate attention, however the ABS failure eventually drained the battery.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #9

Dec 272001

Jetta

  • miles
When applying brakes in snow or icy conditions it causes brakes to lock up or freezes up. Vehicle was taken to dealer, and they could not find any thing wrong, but the problem is reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Wyoming, PA, USA

problem #8

Feb 042002

Jetta

  • miles
I have had trouble with this Jetta from the first day I took ownership of the vehicle. The brake assembly has been replaced. The brake light switch has been replaced. Now I have just received a new transmission in my ten month old car. The car's transmission was reset three times before Volkswagen replaced the valve body. This procedure did not work and in turn endangered my life. I was trying to get on the highway when the car would not shift and was shuddering. I was almost hit by an oncoming 18 wheeled truck. I am scared every time I have to get back in this car. The transmission has been fixed, but not my trust.

- Narragansett, RI, USA

problem #7

May 312001

Jetta

  • miles
Brake do not engage properly, consumer was informed on the first visit that there was an air pocket in the brake system, new brake fluid was added and the brakes were rebleed, however consumer began experiencing the problem again and the dealer found that the master cylinder was leaking which was replaced, consumer is again experiencing the same problem.

- Pacifica, CA, USA

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