2001 Volkswagen Jetta: misfire or rough idle

Filed Mar 12, 2012 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 36,000 miles · CA

I bought this car used in 2003 and had problems with it since. Esc light comes on all the time. Replaced ignition coils, mass air flow sensor, oxygen sensor, and spark plugs multiples times to try and fix the check engine light that keeps coming back on. It keeps spitting out random cylinder misfire codes. Passenger side window broke. The arm rest hinge broke. The glove compartment hinge broke. Brake lights need replacing constantly. Water pump broke while driving in the middle of freeway and the temperature gauge shot through the roof. A random tube/hose in the engine broke. Transmission problem, could not shift from park to drive. Interior cabin smells like crayon. Very rough idle, need to warm up the car for at least 5 mins every morning or else the car will stall. I noticed if you do not warm the car long enough, you have to press the brake pedal very hard to get it to stop. I can cope with all the above issues but I cannot tolerate the car randomly stalling/engine dying while driving around the city. Lately the car is making weird noises like it ran over a pothole. I gave away the car and will never again own any cars made from volkswagen.

Filed Mar 18, 2010 · Engine · 99,000 miles · NJ

I have my car at school in south bend indiana and it is stored outside. Early this winter the car started to idle very rough. If I tried to go too quickly after turning the car on I would get a flashing check engine light that read for a random cylinder misfire when the code was pulled. This happened several times. So I had to let the engine idle for at least 10 minutes so that it could try and warm up before I could go anywhere. In mid february I turned the car on in the afternoon and I noticed it was idling very rough. So I cracked the hood and there I saw sparks jumping from the beginning of the spark plug wires to the engine block. A mechanic confirmed what I suspected, that the coil pack was cracked and needed to be replaced. I did an online search and found that vw had issued a recall for vr6s that had problems with cracked coil packs. However, when I called them about it I was told that my car was not included in the recall. It was not the right engine model because they changed engine models half way through 2001 and my car was the old model. Despite the fact that I have the same problem with a cracking coil pack in a car of the right model from the same year they wouldn't do anything. These coil packs have been a problem for many vr6 owners as evidence from the extensive online forums. I don't understand how my car with the same problem and documented history as the 2003 recall isn't also covered in the recall. I have not had the coil pack repaired yet because it costs 500 dollars and I don't have that to spend right know.

Filed Nov 2, 2009 · Engine · 73,000 miles · CT

Our 2001 vw jetta gls sputters intermittently and looses acceleration power at in opportune times. According to the dealer the problem is with the ignition coil, and that vw is aware of the problem and are recalling certain models. Ours has not had the recall as of 11/1/09. When this problem occurs, the check engine light blinks. I have found that pulling over, shutting the engine off and removing the key for 30 seconds and then re-starting solves the problem. When the dealer pulled the check engine codes, there were 2. One for the misfire and a "catalyst efficiency below threshold. The dealer said the latter is due to the misfire and in time the misfires will ruin the catalyst. Unfortunately at over 75000 miles and 8.5 years, no warranties apply. This is a safety issue that could easily cause a collision and when parts become available, we will have the ignition coil replaced. Vw is clearly aware of the problems and should accelerate their recall campaign on this issue. Also, they should replace the catalysts that have had their useful life lowered by this problem.

Filed Oct 21, 2009 · Engine · 153,000 miles · NY

2001 volkswagen jetta wolfsburg edition: cylinder 3 misfired due to a faulty coilpack. Coilpack was replaced, however cylinders 2 and 4 misfire. When the mechanic tested the coilpacks, they were working properly. Presently, random cylinders continue to misfire even though brand new coil packs are installed. This causes my vehicle to lose power and idle very rough. The check engine light continues to flash which is causing damage to my brand new cat converter.

Filed Nov 16, 2005 · Electrical · NJ

I have a 2001 volkswagen jetta gls vr6. In april of 2003 I experienced problems with my car where especially in wet conditions, the car would hesitate and misfire then the check engine light would blink on and off. It got to the point where it was difficult to drive because it was losing power. I took it to the dealership and they diagnosed it as the ignition coil pack was bad. They explained that this was an expensive part and that it would cost over $1300.00 to repair and was not covered under warranty. I did some research and found that many similar volkswagens were having the same problems and the manufacturer had a recall out on the coil pack. I contacted volkswagen and they claimed that my engine was not a part of the recall but that they would give me a courtesy and cover the cost of the repairs. In october of 2005 I began to have the problem with my car again. I brought it back to the dealership and again they diagnosed that my ignition coil pack was bad. I again did research and read several articles online that vw was recalling the coil pack for my particular model. I contacted vw and they would not do anything about it because in their system, my car didn't qualify. I explained that there has only been about 20,000 miles put on the car since the last occurance and to no avail would they help me out. They say that because of the age and mileage on my car they would not do another courtesy and because my VIN number does not qualify for the coil pack recall, it will not be covered under the recall. I have had several other friends with vw jettas the same year as mine and they have had the same problem. Why hasn't vw listed my car in the recall. Having this issue twice in the short lifespan of the car signals that there is a default in the part and it should be taken care of by the manufacturer.

Filed Oct 26, 2005 · Electrical · 42,400 miles · VA

My 2001 vw jetta has been in the vw shop 7 times for failed coils they fix it and about 4 months later the check engine light comes on and the engine runs rough. They always say if the part fails they will replace for free, seems everytime we take it in they claim something else caused it.

Filed Jun 26, 2005 · Electrical · 51,120 miles · CA

When I started my car to go to work, it started to misfire and run very badly. My husband took it to the dealer to have it checked out. It turned out to be a bad coil pack, #2 cylinder not firing. The technician told my husband that this is a very commen problem for vw. I did an internet search to find out how commen this was. To my suprise, this is extreamly common to vw. There was a recall on the 1.8 turbo motors but none on the 2.8 v6 motor. My concern is why no recall on 2.8 motor if this is so common on this model. Please reply. Thanks katja herrmann

Filed Jan 9, 2005 · Engine · 94,000 miles · NY

I just recently had to replace my catalyst system on my 2001 vw jetta. The car stauled on my way to work, so I had it towed to the nearest vw dealer - cooley volkswagen, in n. Greenbush ny. They found misfire codes and catalyst system. They also advised me that the coil pack and tune up were needed to correct misfires. My question and concern is: why did I not receive a warning light on some signal to advise me of any problems that might be occuring. This would have possibly alerted me to get the car into a vw service shop as soon as possible.

Filed May 21, 2004 · Electrical · 39,591 miles · MI

Vehicle misfiring like a chocking sound and jerking while emitting black smoke from exhaust. Vehicle stalls and service engine light comes on. Vehicle starts after several sttempts. Vehicle stalls in middle of intersection while turning left.

Filed Dec 17, 2002 · Electrical · 17,000 miles · WA

The number of misfires and failed coilpack's on my '01 vw jetta 1.8t is ridiculous. I know of several people going through the same thing. When the car was under warranty is was in the shop at least 3 times for the same misfire problem and now that I'm out of warranty the problem is still very persistent. Vw needs to officially recall these coil packs with something that works properly. This problem is going to affect my ability to pass my state emissions testing and seriously effects my driveability and reliability.. Vin # [xxx]... Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jun 27, 2002 · Airbags · PA

I had a client, who is an 11 year old boy with autism, in the left rear seat of my car. We were several feet from a stop sign while traveling on a bumpy road. In the process of slowing down to come to the stop sign, I heard a very loud popping sound to the right side of the car. The vehicle was almost stopped because of the stop sign. The vehicle turned off and the battery light illuminated. When I looked to the right side of the car, the air bags along the right side of the car were deflating. I got out of the car to see if something fell on the car to cause the airbags to deploy and to make sure that the client sitting on that side was okay. There was nothing that hit the car. The client was scared but physically okay. The car started right back up so I tucked the airbags in and drove to the client's home. My contact with volkswagen has been very unsuccessful. They are claiming proper deployment of the airbags due to lateral movement of the car. They are showing wear on the outside of front right and rear left tires as evidence of proper deployment due to lateral skid. My contention is that there was no lateral skid ,and that the triggers misfired or are dangerously too sensitive.

Filed Feb 10, 2001 · Electrical · CA

Dealer has replaced several parts "4" different times within less than 3,000 miles. We believe that they are unsure what the problem is. We have had the coil pac replaced 2 weeks later ground wires cleaned @ coil pac,third time in it had "10" faults pulled "mainley short to ground with spro misfire in all cylinders" replaced lower fuse panel & fuel pump rely. Milage @ third visit 2,274 mileage 2nd visit 1,270.. 4th visit mileage 2,893. They claim the spark plug wire was missing insulation which caused it to arc causing engine light to come on 4th time. Dates of service 12/4 00 845. Miles 12/20/00 mileage 1,270.00 1/25/01 mileage 2,274. 4th visit 2/4/01 mileage 2893.