2001 Volkswagen Jetta: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Aug 1, 2005 · Transmission · 78,965 miles · NV

Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift *jb transmission problem. Transmission will not go into reverse. Also, consumer was told that there was a problem with the brake light.*ak water intrusion from the driver's side of the vehicle leaving 1/2" of water on floorboard. This condition results in slippery pedals and windows fogging up. Nothing has been done to correct the problem..

Filed Jun 22, 2005 · Electrical · 53,000 miles · TX

2001 vw jetta gls 2.0 w/automatic transmission. The car gets stuck in park and will not change into drive or reverse. I was told by the dealer that the brake sensor or the epc (electronic power control) needed to be replaced.

Filed Oct 6, 2004 · Lights · 34,500 miles · TX

Car get stuck in park. This is about the fifth time this has happened to my car. Normally you press on the brake and the safe switch will release so you can move your car from park. Today this happened twice, and I was about an hour late to work, because I had to wait for my car to decide when I could drive it. Last year I took the car in because the spoiler light did not work, they then told me that my brake light altogether did not work, so they decided to charge me $75. To fix that. Now the brake lights do not work again and $75 is not going to be paid this time. I had that part a little over a year.I've researched in other vw forums and many are having this problem. When the car was on warranty they claimed nothing was wrong, but now even though my car has a little over 35,000 miles on it, and it is a 2001 model it is having all of these problems.

Filed Jul 7, 2004 · Transmission · 32,890 miles · ID

The clutch on my 2001 vw jetta 1.8t went out sll of a sudden. The car was driving completely fine (gears weren't sticky or clutch loose) and then all of a sudden the car would not go into gear. I had it towed to the local dealership where they quoted $1600 for repair (new clutch kit and flywheel). I had it towed again to a vw specialist and he said the clutches on the new vw's should last at least 100,000 (and that is for someone who even rides the clutch, he said it should last even longer). Vw refused to pay for the repairs (even though I have a warrantty until 48,000 miles) saying it was due to normal wear and tear. My jetta only has 32,000 miles. So, we had to cover the repairs out of pocket.

Filed May 18, 2004 · Lights · 33,178 miles · CA

I have now replaced by brake switch and brake light switch. I'm not sure if they are the same thing but I have replaced them both. The first one was the brake light switch. This was replaced because my lights would randomly turn on. Even when parked the lights would remain on. I got it to turn off by wedging something behind the brake so it would not go on. However, I paid $59 for it to get fixed. The other switch, the brake switch was replaced today. The charge was $137. This repair was due to the shifter being stuck in park. I have spent days with this problem and I feel my car should be under the recall. The service representative said that my car did not come up as a recall vehicle. If so many jettas need repairs for this problem why is not my car included in this recall. I experience the same problems as others and I am not being treated fairly. If vw is to keep its good reputation they should reimburse everyone who has similar or exact problems. In both instances the brake switch and brake light switch were replaced. If these are the same item then people should be notified about these problems and they should not be liable to pay for service on their vehicles!

Filed Mar 31, 2004 · Lights · CA

In nov 2003, our 2001 jetta tdi would not shift out of park, causing myself and my sons numerous times to be stranded. The problem was intermittent. Al sanchez vw in gilroy, ca, diagnosed a shifter problem and replaced it. The problem persisted. I continued to discuss it with al sanchez vw, even leaving it with them for one week to drive. I was told the problem was intermittent and they could not duplicate the problem, there was nothing they could do. Several weeks ago, the problem again occurred. I phoned a tow company who noted the vehicle stuck in park and mentioned the brake involvement. After turning off the car and fussing with the brake/shifter, it engaged. The next morning, I phoned al sanchez and was told that it shifted fine. Later that day, I was told that it got a little sticky.they diagnosed the brake light switch. I have spoke to service advisors and the service manager. They maintain the position that the shifter needed replacing in nov 2003, and now the brake light switch needs replacing. I am of the opinion that the problem was not corrected. Since the problem continued to persist, this does not seem to be an unreasonable assessment. On 2/21/04, I downloaded info from your sight. There were two recalls for my car. Today, 3/31/04, there are three, including an exterior lighting;brake lights;switch. I decided to check this site today only because during during one of my more recent conversations to the federal safety agency, I was informed that there were three results. I have not confirmed if my vehicle in one included in this recall. If my VIN is not on the recall list, this is too much of a coincidence to overlook. Also, the lack of cooperation of al sanchez vw and volkswagon advocates cannot be overlooked as well. Ideally, I would like the repair cost of the shifter refunded to me and the recall to cover my shifting problem.

Filed Jan 7, 2004 · Lights, Transmission · 27 miles · CA

Consumer complained about a transmission problem. Transmission will not go into reverse. Also, consumer was told that there was a problem with the brake light.*ak water intrusion from the driver's side of the vehicle leaving 1/2" of water on floorboard. Consumer reporting this condition results in slippery pedals and windows fogging up.

Filed Jun 12, 2002 · Transmission · CA

While placing vehicle in park for a few minutes and without warning shifted to gear then back to drive and gear got stuck in park. This problem has occurred several times. Dealer has been notified on many occasions. However, havd not been able to fix problem with gears.

Filed Apr 29, 2002 · Transmission · MD

After driving for a while vehicle will not shift from 1st to 2nd gear . This never happens at first start.*ak

Filed Apr 21, 2002 · Engine, Transmission · NC

Transmision does not shift correctly around third gear, the car will rev up then the car has a hard jerk. As for the engine the engine will kill any where at any time the hole car will just shut of driving or just sitting still. I feel very unsafe in this car!

Filed Feb 25, 2002 · Brakes, Lights · RI

I have had trouble with this jetta from the first day I took ownership of the vehicle. The brake assembly has been replaced. The brake light switch has been replaced. Now I have just received a new transmission in my ten month old car. The car's transmission was reset three times before volkswagen replaced the valve body. This procedure did not work and in turn endangered my life. I was trying to get on the highway when the car would not shift and was shuddering. I was almost hit by an oncoming 18 wheeled truck. I am scared every time I have to get back in this car. The transmission has been fixed, but not my trust.

Filed Nov 9, 2001 · Transmission · CA

Intermintent problem shifting from first gear to second. Car would not shift therefore would not accelerate in traffic. Dealer replaced electrical part called a valve body. Car still did not work properly. Volkswagen reccomended complete transmission replacement which dealer performed. We have concerns over safety of this vehicle if this part should fail again. Is there statistical data available regarding failure of this part?