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2001 Volkswagen Jetta transmission problems

62 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 39,000.

owner complaints
62
of this car's complaints
9%
typical mileage
39,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    32
  • Clutch assembly
    17
  • Manual transmission
    3
  • Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
    2
  • Driveline: driveshaft
    1
  • Driveline
    1
  • Axle assembly: axle shaft: seal
    1
  • Axle assembly
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Volkswagen Jetta transmission problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202027

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Won't shift 12Jerking 10Transmission failure 9Hesitation 6Slipping 6

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2001 Volkswagen Jetta owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 21, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 86,642 miles · NC

Beware of this used car - it needs serious mechanical work. I test drove it and realized that the transmission slips, the timing chain rattles, and the A/C did not work.

Filed Aug 26, 2013 · Electrical, Transmission · 85,673 miles · OH

Raining not hard . Wipers slow down . Complete stop of wiper action. No prior notice of bad operation first thought was fuse. Was not the fuse.

Filed Feb 24, 2010 · Transmission · 79,829 miles · FL

Car has problems shifting gear.

Filed Jan 2, 2009 · Brakes, Engine · 110,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 volkswagen jetta. The contact purchased a used car and, within the same week, it began to stall. The dealer could find no failures. She took the vehicle to another volkswagen dealer and they gave her a list of all the failures. The list included the transmission, rattling in the engine, and the brake sensors. There are four different tires on the vehicle and each are the incorrect size. The contact stated that she does not have the money to repair all these failures. The failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Nov 29, 2008 · Transmission · 95,200 miles · CA

Transmission malfunctioned, fails to shift.

Filed Nov 13, 2008 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · KS

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. I've asked two different dealers and one said nothing can be done, while the other said that is very common with this car because vw put poor automatic transmissions in these cars. I also have the crayon smell in my car that does make me and my passengers somewhat ill feeling. However, I'm more concerned with my transmission.

Filed Aug 7, 2008 · Body, Engine · CA

I own a 2001 vw jetta. I bought it 3 years ago, used from the volkswagen dealership. The automobile was sold as a "certified" auto, which I found out later does not mean much. My trunk is locked shut and does not open manually or with remote, I've had to replace cv boots, catalytic converter, transmission and numerous headlight, taillight and blinker bulbs. And today one of my headlights is so dim, it doesn't really provide any light when it is dark. I have replaced it and replaced it. It stays fine for about 2 days and then just dims out again. I can't afford to keep taking it to volkswagen. It's a rip off and they don't even fix anything right anyway. My engine fan went out all of the sudden the other day, causing the car to overheat. I had to get it towed. That isn't the first time I have had to pay to have it towed. The interior plastic coating on armrests and all plastic inside is peeling and looks terrible. When I push unlock all doors, the driver's side back seat door will not open unless I reach inside and pull the lock open manually. There is so much more, but I don't want to waste my time. I know nothing will happen, even though it is so obvious that these cars are complete lemons, and they need to stop selling them to people.

Filed Jul 15, 2008 · Transmission · 134,000 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 volkswagen jetta. The contact has had to replace the transmission three times within three months. There is a dial pin the differential gear, which came out of place and caused the transmission to lock up while driving 25 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the shop numerous times and was informed that this was a manufacturer defect, which should be recalled. The current and failure mileages were 134,000. Updated 10/14/08 *bf updated 10/17/08.

Filed Feb 21, 2008 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 volkswagen jetta. Whenever the contact attempts to accelerate from a stop sign or light, the vehicle lunges and/or surges into the next gear. The vehicle takes a long time to shift from third to fourth gear and then drives normally. The current mileage was 170,594 and failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Feb 11, 2008 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · NY

When shifting from reverse to drive there is .5 to 1 second delay to engage forward gear. At first it was barely noticeable but now it feels like 1 to 2 seconds pass before drive gear is engaged. When parking on a hill car rolls back.

Questions about the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta transmission

Does the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 62 complaints about the transmission of the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta, 9% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2001 Volkswagen Jetta transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 39,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Volkswagen Jetta have bad transmission?

The Volkswagen Jetta model years with the most transmission complaints are 2006 (245 complaints), 2019 (163 complaints) and 2009 (141 complaints).

Other 2001 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Engine 118Electrical 117Airbags 97Lights 80Brakes 77Visibility 71Body 43Fuel system 28Seats 27Locks 18Acceleration 14Suspension 10Seat belts 5Steering 5Wheels 5Tires 4Driver assistance 3

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