2001 Volkswagen Jetta Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 71about this part
- Share
- 11%of 668 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,200miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 71 complaints about the visibility of the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta, 11% of the 668 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,200 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My vw drivers side window fell into the door as I was driving along the highway last year. Brought it in to the body shop and they told me they fix tons of this problem as the plastic clips that hold the window are too fragile. Now...several months later my passenger door is having the same problem. The cost of the regulator to fix it (as parts are not sold separatly) has now gone up in cost $50.”
NHTSA complaint #10429050, filed 2011-10, 100,000 miles“2001 vw Jetta-- window regulator replacement. Vw will only replace windows with proven defect(windows that have already fallen down). I live in mn and I don't want to chance that my windoe will fall down in the middle of winter. I asked vw to replace all window regulators, and they refused.”
NHTSA complaint #10235267, filed 2008-07, 98,000 miles“Car was parked, young man took a box out of my front passenger seat (window was down as far as it would go) - man closed the door (just as hard as my kids always do) and the window shattered.”
NHTSA complaint #10509870, filed 2013-04, 169,045 miles“Windows on vw Jetta's seem to be falling due to a defect in plastic clips that hold the windows. Volkswagen is covering the replacement of these clips with redesigned metal ones. The dealer took care of everything just fine for me, though I'm surprised that there is no mention of this common problem on this web site.”
NHTSA complaint #10030538, filed 2003-07, 27,000 miles“Heater knob stopped working in hot positiion. Mechanic found a plastic connector assembly was broken under dash. Vw said only remedy was buy a whole heater assembly at cost of $450 plus labor which was approx 6 hours. So entire job would have been over $1000 to fix a problem caused by a small removable plastic piece. After days of searching in junkyards it was found many of these part were broken. We ended up gluing one we found for a fix. Not sure how long it will last.”
NHTSA complaint #10230205, filed 2008-06, 110,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10123011Jul 22, 2015Technical Bulletin (Windshield Wipers Streak or Smear): Windshield or rear window is streaked, has a snakeskin appearance, or the surface feels rough. To avoid unnecessary…
- 10122956May 8, 2015Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open…
- 10122911Apr 20, 2015Technical Bulletin (Rear Door Glass Inoperative): The rear glass cannot be opened / closed, the rear glass may slide down into the door, or the rear glass motor operates but the…
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10243015Nov 17, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242353Nov 17, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10239541Sep 24, 2014Air Conditioning, Cleaning of the Refrigerant Circuit (U.S.Only)
- 10243011May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242349May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10239534Apr 18, 2014HVAC, Unpleasant Odor
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 9% |
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 4 | 6% |
| 2020 | 2 | 4% |
| 2019 | 26 | 5% |
| 2017 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 2% |
| 2014 | 8 | 2% |
| 2013 | 13 | 3% |
| 2012 | 24 | 5% |
| 2011 | 26 | 4% |
| 2010 | 14 | 2% |
| 2009 | 10 | 1% |
| 2008 | 8 | 4% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 24 | 4% |
| 2005 | 7 | 3% |
| 2004 | 11 | 5% |
| 2003 | 21 | 5% |
| 2002 | 45 | 6% |
| 2001 | 71 | 11% |
| 2000 | 77 | 18% |
| 1999 | 81 | 23% |
| 1998 | 42 | 22% |
| 1997 | 16 | 30% |
| 1996 | 13 | 42% |
| 1995 | 26 | 12% |
| 1994 | 15 | 13% |
| 1993 | 4 | 24% |
| 1992 | 3 | 10% |
| 1991 | 7 | 23% |
| 1990 | 4 | 18% |
| 1989 | 6 | 21% |
| 1988 | 2 | 11% |
| 1987 | 4 | 22% |
| 1986 | 3 | 21% |
| 1985 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
117 complaintsEngine cooling
109 complaintsAir bags
97 complaintsExterior lighting
80 complaintsBrakes
77 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
62 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 29, 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