2001 Volkswagen Jetta from North America - Comments

I am writing in reference to the comment about the puddle of water on the floor in the Volkswagen Jetta. This happened to me also after having a windshield replaced. I thought the windshield was not tight, but after awhile I realized that was not the problem. On each side of the car there is an area where water gets trapped. Open the car door and on the inside of the frame of the car (not the door) there is an area where you can stick your finger in and the water will run out. My son has the car right now in another state, so I can't just run outside and look at it, so I am winging it. I think it was a rubber piece that I took my finger and kept playing with it, and water ran out like crazy, therefore taking care of a problem. I want to say like a rubber duct or something. Check it out and I hope this helps!!!

OK, the crayon smell is from the interior of the car, and after 70k miles changed the water pump, sparks plugs and then got the transmission flushed and sensors changed, because after 70k miles the wires ruin etc.

And if the gears shift weird, you need a new transmission soon, so don't feel bad.

I just bought this car at 85k miles. and I know I'm going to have to spend some money on it, but if you see the engine light on, the problems are simple. Keep checking on the car once a month and check on the radiator at times, cause if you don't the problem will get worse fast and soon!

So good luck to all with a Volkswagen Jetta :)

Wow! I am amazed at some of the reliability issues I have been reading about, I am on my 2nd Jetta, 1st was a 1990 with 200,000 miles, (before my wife got hit in it!) the only issue with that was 2 starters and normal tire wear.

I have a 2001 Jetta 1.8T with 135,000 miles (and yes another 2001 with crayon smell... from what I understand it is the spray on glue used to attach the sound proofing material), just normal tire wear replacement, I am still wondering when I will need to replace my brakes!! Still good. I think the dealership makes all the difference...

I will be a long time VW driver... I had a new Honda sharing time with my VW, the Honda fell apart at 100,000 miles, very disappointed with the quality.

I have had nothing but problems on my 2001 VW Jetta.

The cat has been replaced 3x.

The brake light which stops your car from coming out of gear has been an issue of the past. Very annoying when you want to go somewhere and you start your car up and your car won't go anywhere. When you call VW they tell you this remedy (pumping your brake 5x and so on) to get you car out of park.

Yes my car smells like crayons, and I am tired of people getting in my car asking why my car smells like a crayon (they thought since I was a teacher my car smells like crayons).

Also the sunroof has been stuck open, and again there is a remedy to close it.

The check engine light stays on. Every time it goes to the shop, they fix the problem of the day and the light is still on.

The temperature and oxygen sensor have been replaced more than once (I'm losing count on the numerous problems of this car).

Did I forget to say that the engine also was replaced, and now I am having transmission problems.

The car does not shift and goes as high as 50rpm while driving only 40 m/hr. I am so tired of this car and wish to sell it as is. I tell everyone not to buy this type of car again. I call my car Hitler's Revenge. LOL.

Wowee wowee wow... I bought my 2001 Jetta VR6 right off the showroom floor. My first year in college away from home, I needed something reliable... something that went fast. Driving it home, a semi kicked up a rock and cracked my windshield. I should've taken it as a bad omen. 8 years later I'm still driving the car as I'm in no position to purchase another since I've put about $5,000 (minimum) into this car over the past few years. Most of the problems have been documented prior on this thread:

1 - Prevalent crayon smell.

2 - Replaced catalytic converter at least 3 times now.

3 - Leaking this, leaking that.

4 - Also had the window clip problem.

5 - Transmission issues CONSTANTLY over the past year and a half.

6 - When has my check engine light NOT been on? Had to have my mechanic trick the car so I could pass inspection.

7 - Brake switch" went out and couldn't get my car into gear because of it. Again, had to trick the car to get it to the shop.

8 - Hazard light switch broken. constantly listening to the sound of my blinker going off randomly. my friends won't ride in my car anymore, it's so annoying

9 - The car is currently in the shop having the entire transmission replaced

10 - Besides all of this, I've been putting 93 octane in my tank at my mechanic's suggestion. A lot of help it's done.

I'm sure I could go on if I brought out all the mechanic's receipts. I bought VW because I thought it was supposed to be a quality product. What happened in 2001? I at one point even suggested VW to all my friends. Some bought into it, and have had the same problems I've had. And I know for a fact that there have been numerous recalls that VW doesn't let anyone know about... Until they end up in the dealership with said problems. And then all of a sudden, what do you know?! That's covered under our recent recall. what recall? Oh, the one you didn't tell me about... I see. I never thought I'd buy American, but if they're at least giving the same amount of problems, I'm sure the fixes will be much cheaper. My real problem? I still love my car - Maynard II. and at this point, I've put so much $$ into it... guh.

-Gabby Z.

Houston, TX.