2001 Volkswagen Jetta Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 1%of 668 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,070miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta, 1% of the 668 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,070 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving around town prior to having a few days off for the 4th, I noticed a squeaky belt noise when I turned the wheel. I checked the power steering fluid level and it was about half full. I added fluid and the noise went away. I scheduled an appointment with the dealer for the day after the holiday. The next day on the 4th smoke started to come from under the hood and the vehicle was nearly impossible to steer. Adding steering fluid did nothing since it seemed to be leaking out somewhere. I managed to get the car home and immediately took it to the dealer the next day. …”
NHTSA complaint #10173739, filed 2006-11, 118,000 miles“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. I have bought a new coil pack and spark plugs and spark plug wires and now my check engine has came back on.please help me with this car.thanks.god bless u.”
NHTSA complaint #11063377, filed 2018-01“Dt: contact states the drivers' side curtain air bags deployed without a collision. The seat belt jammed and could not be latched after this incident occurred. There is a police report (#05-5207) states there was no evidence that the vehicle had an impact. The air bag light was not illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a service dealer and told to contact vw of america. She did fax the police report to the manufacturer and they agreed to repair the vehicle without cost. The service dealer could not find what caused the air bag to deploy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10128353, filed 2005-08“The 2001 vw Jetta has had three o2 (oxygen) sensor failures since purchase in september 2000. In addition have experienced the need, according to dealership, to have o2 sensor cleaned, which again caused engine light to appear. Have talked to vw of america, claim my Jetta is not one of the cars issued as a recall for the o2 issued on 1/11/2002. Yet it is a continual problem. Have spoken to two vw mechanics. They claim vw is aware their supplier of the part has manufactured faulty o2 sensors, yet continue to purchase these parts. Talked to an independent mechanic on an o2 needing a 'cleaning'. …”
NHTSA complaint #769655, filed 2002-11Related service bulletins
- 10242375Nov 25, 2013VW Elsa Newsletter
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2024 | 2 | 4% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 7 | 16% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 4 | 7% |
| 2019 | 12 | 2% |
| 2017 | 14 | 9% |
| 2016 | 11 | 7% |
| 2015 | 15 | 8% |
| 2014 | 17 | 4% |
| 2013 | 37 | 7% |
| 2012 | 42 | 8% |
| 2011 | 23 | 4% |
| 2010 | 13 | 2% |
| 2009 | 24 | 3% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 10 | 2% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
| 2002 | 8 | 1% |
| 2001 | 5 | 1% |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% |
| 1999 | 8 | 2% |
| 1998 | 12 | 6% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 1996 | 3 | 10% |
| 1995 | 14 | 6% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 2 | 6% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
117 complaintsEngine cooling
109 complaintsAir bags
97 complaintsExterior lighting
80 complaintsBrakes
77 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
71 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
62 complaintsBody and structure
43 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsSeats
27 complaintsEquipment
19 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology