Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Volkswagen Jetta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle overheated and stalled without warning, the parking brake failed, and the rear driver side door had issues opening. The contact also stated that the vehicle leaked fluid. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the main coolant fan, engine valve cover gasket, both rear shock and mounts, both front strut mounts, front lower control arm bushing, and both outer tie rods needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 137,354.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. On two different occasions, the rear brakes locked up. The first failure occurred while driving 60 MPH and the second failure, while driving 35 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle became engulfed in smoke. He went to the dealer to have the vehicle repaired under recall notice # 02V031000 (service brakes, hydraulic: antilock). Since the recall repair was performed, he has returned to the dealer twice due to the brake failure. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 127,000.
The ABS light came on and the brakes soft as a marshmallow not warning notice got stopped and there was a hissing noise but no brake fluid on any of the brakes...... I've also been having issues with after replacing the water pump it keeping fluid in it also using the geico discount equipment to see how my driving is the engine light and the one above that the looks like a triangle.... Did the diagnostic came up with a 1000 code and one other the deal didn't find the 1000 code but reset with no luck turning them off after service.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving various speeds, the brakes seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
On a clear day, dry pavement, went to brake in city traffic and brakes failed causing me to rear end the car in front ( causing $2600 damages) and totalling my car. No injuries. Air bag did not deploy, possibly due to the low speed I was travelling.
"when the brake pedal was depressed from a cold start position, the vehicle failed to stop, which resulted in extended stopping distance. The consumer stated there was damage to the vehicle as a result of the vehicle not stopping.
2001 Jetta. In traffic, a car stopped suddenly two cars before me.... I stopped in response and my brake pedal went to the floor - brakes failing , anti-lock system failing - and hit the car in front of me. My car was totaled.
Car was parked on near-level surface of driveway. Car was left in neutral (manual transmission) and parking brake was set. Doors were locked. Car began to roll 165 feet down driveway about 20 minutes after use. Car rested in a fence post. Dealer claims that car should be left in gear because the parking brake system on this car is hydraulic, and while the car is driven, the rear disc brakes heat up, and when the car is parked, the brakes cool down. The same brakes that cool down are the same brakes that heat up. When a brake pad heats up, it expands, when it cools down, it contracts. My parking brakes failed because they cooled off and became inoperable, causing the car to roll all on its own. …
Back brakes and rotors had to be replaced on my 2001 Jetta glx v6 which was purchased 08/01. I only had 23,000 miles on the car! At my 20,000 mile service no problems were mentioned. My check engine light came on too. I had to have my o2 sensor replaced under warranty. The warranty did not cover the brakes. I do not ride the brakes. 1 month after I bought the car I noticed that when I start it in the morning it makes a sound like and old junky car would. I had it to the dealer twice for this and they said its nothing and that's the way a v6 sounds! It only does it on the first start of the day. I am afraid it will end up being some very expensive problem in the future. 9 months after I had the car the arm rest came apart and had to be fixed under warranty. …
I own a vw Jetta 2001 vr6. I have had to replace my rear brake pads at only 20,000 miles to me a very premature wear problem. The dealer refused to repair them at no cost to me due to the premature wear of the brake pads. The repairs to the brake pads cost me $200.00. The check engine light has come on on the same vw Jetta. To find out I know have to pay $292.20 to have the maf sensor replaced on a car that has only 22,500 miles. I am trying to seek reimbursement from vw of America for these expenses. In addition this year I also had to pay $300.00 to have the passenger door latch repaired as the spring broke that allowed me to open the door with the door handle. Regardless, my car is kept in pristine condition, and in no way should I be incurring these type of repairs on a vehicle that has only 20K miles on the odometer. Please help me.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
On some passenger vehicles, short circuits can occur within the electronic control unit of the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ABS control unit. Owner notification began March 8, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Brake complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 77 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta, 12% of the model year's 668 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Volkswagen Jetta brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-031 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Jan 31, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Volkswagen Jetta brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.