2001 Volkswagen Jetta Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 62about this part
- Share
- 9%of 668 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,850miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 62 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta, 9% of the 668 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,850 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was told today by the vw dealership that I need a new clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel for my 2001 vw Jetta 1.8t it only has 33,249 miles on it. I have been driving cars and p/u trucks with clutches since 1972. I believe this is a defect in workmanship by the vw manufacturer. I was told it will cost $1,555.00 in parts and labor.”
NHTSA complaint #10063801, filed 2004-03, 33,230 miles“My clutch on my 1.8t failed at 30k miles. Local dealer & voa stated that problem was wear & tear I was responsible for payment to replace the entire clutch assembly including the flywheel. I had the car towed to my local mechanic who confirmed the problem was a mechanical failure, and that there was plenty of wear left on the clutch. We were forced to use vw replacement parts as well.”
NHTSA complaint #10072416, filed 2004-05, 30,000 miles“The clutch on my 2001 vw Jetta has to be replaced after only 50,000 miles. After doin g research on the internet I realized that I am not the only victim of this problem. The cost for this repair is over $1000(for a clutch).”
NHTSA complaint #10128587, filed 2005-07, 50,000 miles“2001 vw Jetta vr6 for years my automatic transmission has occasionally slipped while shifting between 2nd and 3rd gears. Also, my gear selector slips between d and 3 without an resistance. A couple of days ago, with my car being regularly maintained, this problem became persistent. Now, every time the car shifts from 2nd to 3rd the car shifts/bucks very hard. Also, the gear selector easily moves from d to 3 and while in 3 the dash still shows the car to be in d . I'm afraid this is going to drop my transmission while driving. …”
NHTSA complaint #10248770, filed 2008-11, 110,000 miles“Before I picked up the car- it needed a new fuel tank because the dealer was unable to put gas into the car. At 60,000 miles the crank shaft broke off and a new engine was installed. My driver side window fell down. Two plastic things keep falling out of the sunroof and I put them back up. Numerous oxygen sensors have been changed but my check engine light remains on. Finally, at 107,000 miles my transmission went out and vw refuses to help with any of the cost because it is out of the warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10073128, filed 2004-05, 107,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10238600Jul 4, 2014Incorrect torque converter or flywheel/flexplate installation can result in transmission damage. When installing an engine, flywheel or transmission, please follow the…
- 10120207Jul 4, 2014Tech Tips (Torque Converter/Flywheel/Flexplate installation): Incorrect torque converter or flywheel/flexplate installation can result in transmission damage. When installing an…
- 10238598Nov 29, 2013If a customer comments that the key cannot be removed from the ignition when the transmission is in PARK or that the PRND12 is not reading correctly in the MFI, DO NOT replace…
- 10240605Oct 15, 2013P0102, P1128, P1296 - WA front oxygen sensor faults
- 10242397Jun 17, 2013VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10238601Jun 14, 201309A Transmission -- Replacing Transmission
- 10125833Jun 14, 2013Tech Tips (Vehicles with 09G or 09A Transmission -- Replacing Transmission): This document informs If you replace one of these transmissions, check ETKA to see if you must also…
- 10157735Oct 1, 2012Transmission Control Module Updates: This document informs of the software, and technical bulletins that service corresponding cars and their Transmission Control Module…
- 10156129Oct 1, 2012Transmission Control Module Updates: This document informs of the software, and technical bulletins that service corresponding cars and their Transmission Control Module…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 25% |
| 2024 | 7 | 15% |
| 2023 | 2 | 5% |
| 2021 | 2 | 3% |
| 2020 | 7 | 13% |
| 2019 | 163 | 30% |
| 2018 | 5 | 16% |
| 2017 | 15 | 9% |
| 2016 | 22 | 14% |
| 2015 | 23 | 12% |
| 2014 | 74 | 19% |
| 2013 | 141 | 27% |
| 2012 | 46 | 9% |
| 2011 | 54 | 9% |
| 2010 | 111 | 13% |
| 2009 | 141 | 16% |
| 2008 | 53 | 28% |
| 2007 | 33 | 16% |
| 2006 | 245 | 42% |
| 2005 | 84 | 34% |
| 2004 | 35 | 15% |
| 2003 | 54 | 12% |
| 2002 | 103 | 15% |
| 2001 | 62 | 9% |
| 2000 | 37 | 8% |
| 1999 | 30 | 9% |
| 1998 | 14 | 7% |
| 1997 | 8 | 15% |
| 1996 | 2 | 6% |
| 1995 | 22 | 10% |
| 1994 | 8 | 7% |
| 1993 | 1 | 6% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
| 1991 | 2 | 6% |
| 1990 | 1 | 5% |
| 1986 | 1 | 7% |
| 1985 | 4 | 31% |
Other parts of the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
117 complaintsEngine cooling
109 complaintsAir bags
97 complaintsExterior lighting
80 complaintsBrakes
77 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
71 complaintsBody and structure
43 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsSeats
27 complaintsEquipment
19 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
18 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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