Recalls
6campaigns
4 brake · 1 lighting · 1 equipment
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
668filed
Owner reports, 1997–2006 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Fuel economy
38mpg combined
$1,719/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
1.9 L 4-cyl· 5-speed manual
12 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (6)
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. Not checked against your VIN.
MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES
Exterior lighting · brake lights · switch
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
- Consequence
- THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- 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. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Repair progress not yet reported1,002,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 07V063000
Listed for 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. Not checked against your VIN.
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTION
Exterior lighting · brake lights · switch
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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 RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.
- Consequence
- THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- 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 IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Repair progress not yet reported646,246 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 06V183000
Listed for 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. Not checked against your VIN.
VW/HAZARD SWITCH
Exterior lighting · hazard flashing warning lights · switch
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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 OCCURS DUE TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED ELECTRICAL CURRENT LOAD FROM HIGHER WATTAGE TURN SIGNAL BULBS.
- Consequence
- THIS MAY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER FUNCTION.
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported410,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 04V584000
Listed for 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. Not checked against your VIN.
VW/BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH
Exterior lighting · brake lights · switch
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.
- Consequence
- IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.
- 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 1-800-822-8987.
Repair progress not yet reported377,130 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 04V096000
Listed for 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. Not checked against your VIN.
VW/FMVSS 225/CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGES
Equipment · other · owners/service/other manual
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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 REAR SEATS MUST BE IDENTIFIED BY MARKINGS, AND THEIR LOCATION AND USE BE DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.
- Consequence
- THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT MARKED OR DESCRIBED AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
- 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 ANCHORAGE ATTACHMENTS. ALSO ENCLOSED WILL BE FOUR DECALS TOGETHER WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND A TEMPLATE FOR ATTACHING THE DECALS TO THE LOWER SEAT BACKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 15, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
Repair progress not yet reported332,950 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 02V244000
Listed for 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. Not checked against your VIN.
VW/ABS ECU
Service brakes, hydraulic · antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).
- Consequence
- THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
- 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 REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Repair progress not yet reported55,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 02V031000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (668)
668 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
40involved a crash
12involved a fire
47injuries reported
1deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 668 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 117 | 17.5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 109 | 16.3% |
| Air bags | 97 | 14.5% |
| Exterior lighting | 80 | 12% |
| Service brakes | 75 | 11.2% |
| Visibility | 69 | 10.3% |
| Power train | 62 | 9.3% |
| Structure | 43 | 6.4% |
| Seats | 27 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 26 | 3.9% |
How 2001 compares with other Jetta years
Best and worst Jetta years →199754
1998192
1999349
2000439
2001668
2002704
2003458
2004233
2005248
2006580
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 54 | 1 |
| 1998 | 192 | 2 |
| 1999 | 349 | 6 |
| 2000 | 439 | 4 |
| 2001 | 668 | 6 |
| 2002 | 704 | 5 |
| 2003 | 458 | 2 |
| 2004 | 233 | 2 |
| 2005 | 248 | 4 |
| 2006 | 580 | 4 |
This year (2001)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 38 mpg combined
38
mpg combined
35
city
44
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,500
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 268 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
$1,719per year
$143per month
395gallons a year
Miles ÷ 38 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 35 / 44 / 38 | $2,500 | 268 |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 40 / 33 | $2,900 | 309 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 24 | $3,400 | 370 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2001 Jetta for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2001 Volkswagen Jetta FAQ
How many recalls does the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta have?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 07V063000 (brake), 06V183000 (brake), 04V584000 (lighting), 04V096000 (brake), 02V244000 (equipment), 02V031000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2001 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
Owners filed 668 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (117), Engine and engine cooling (109), Air bags (97) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta get?
EPA rates the 1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 35 city, 44 highway and 38 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2001 Jetta compare with other years?
Among the 1997–2006 Volkswagen Jetta model years at least five years old, the 1997 drew the fewest complaints (54) and the 2002 the most (704). The 2001 drew 668. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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