13th Jul 2006, 20:18

My 2001 VW Jetta is a piece of junk. I would not recommend the purchase of one of these vehicles. The dealership from which I purchased the car new, has been horrible regarding service. I will never buy another VW. Stay clear.

4th Aug 2006, 09:10

I also have a 2001 VW Jetta, and have had nothing but trouble:

The electric window regulator.

The right front tire won't stay aligned, even after replacing everything involved (strut, UV joint, etc.) and is chewing through tires at a clip of about every 20,000 miles!.

Brake lights just quit working.

That darned EPC light comes on whenever it feels like it.

Have gone through 2 alternators ("...but there doesn't seem to be a problem" says the moron at the VW dealership!).

The rubberized coating is peeling off of just about every knob, handle, control switch, etc... and I can't stand that lousy wax smell (thank goodness it's not just me)!!!

VW had a great generation of cars in the 80's and fooled all of us into believing that they made reliable cars -- we're all suckers... once they got wind that the general public was bragging about how reliable VWs were, they cut costs and fooled us all -- and on top of it all: German engineering doesn't mean a thing when all of our VWs were made in Mexico... (go ahead look at the sticker on the side of your driver side door... made in Mexico, oh wait that's..., "hecho en Mexico")

WE'VE BEEN HAD!!!

4th Aug 2006, 15:33

I'd check the A arms and all the solid parts to the suspension in front to make sure they aren't bent or anything. Then balance and rotate the tire. Align it again. If it doesn't work, then check the rim for being out of round. Most likely it's a bent rim.

10th Aug 2006, 15:51

I have had my Jetta for 3 years. My EPC light has come on 4 times thus giving me no brake lights. The last time this happened the VW dealer said yes we know about the problem we fix it all the time. Corporate won't do anything about it and gave me an 800# to complain. But only if a number of people complain about nothing will change. I'm not quite sure how the whole recalls work, but that's what need to happen again with this annoying EPC light. Yes my car smell like crayons too, my sister makes fun of me.

10th Aug 2006, 15:59

We need to start making our voices heard by doing the following.

Consumers who encounter such problems can report them to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) by calling their safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT. Complaints can also be waged online at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ (the NHTSA's website) or by filing a petition.

When enough reports are compiled, the NHTSA will begin to investigate the issue, and determine the root of the problem. Then, the findings are made public. If a manufacturer does not force a recall, the government, through the NHTSA, will initiate one instead.

13th Aug 2006, 15:20

2001 VW Jetta VR6: EPC light came on, couldn't get my car to shift into drive. I don't know whats going on?? anyone have any knowledge on this problem??

13th Oct 2006, 05:45

I just bought a 2001 VW Jetta GLS, now I'm wishing I hadn't. Within the first two days the EPC light came on because the brake lights suddenly stopped working, this was covered by a recall.

When the EPC light went on, my car would no longer start. The dealership put in a new battery. Upon driving the car home from the dealership the car died... apparently the new battery fried the alternator. I get to pay for the new alternator now too, because they previously didn't check the alternator and swears that was the original issue.

Getting the car back from the dealership tonight. Hoping I can make it home before the car dies. Do NOT take your car to the VW dealer unless you are having recall work done.

Oh, my car smells like crayons too.

9th Dec 2006, 13:53

I have a 2001 volkswagen jetta. Yesterday the EPC light came on, and it's difficult to put car into drive. I have PO172 code, does anyone know if that has anything to do with the EPC light coming on? The mass air flow sensor is new. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks.

13th Dec 2006, 09:36

Hi everyone,

I'm literally tearing my hair out. I bought my VW Golf in July this year from a second hand car dealership. I had numerous problems with the dealership which involved me losing about £500 on the price of my old car (given in part exchange)!! I was also offered 1 years warranty with my purchase which today I found out was just a line to get me to sign the deal!

My EPC light came on yesterday, other than that the car seems absolutely fine, no loss of power, brake lights working etc. As I discovered that I don't actually have the Warranty I thought I had it means any repairs will have to be paid for by me! Any one have a rough idea of costs??

I'm so poor at the moment with it coming up to Christmas I'm considering taking the car off the road.

29th Dec 2006, 23:17

Okay, for everyone who posted about the EPC light, I am 19 years old, I just got my 2001 Jetta GLX in October of this year and that light came on shortly after I got it. Turns out most of the time when this light comes on it is just a faulty brake light switch which is cheap and an easy fix (luckily!) and even more lucky, it is also on recall! so check with a vw dealer and see if your brake light switch is replaceable through the recent recall if your EPC light comes on (Hint... you won't have cruise control or brake lights!) I hope this helps some people who are as confused as I was at first.

2nd Jan 2007, 18:34

If the brake light switch goes and you can't get the car out of park, turn the key (without starting the car) and move the shifter slightly without going into reverse and turn the key to start the car. It is tricky and should hold you over until you get it fixed.

I have a 2001 VR6 and have sunk so much money into fixing it that I feel that I have past the point of no return. The only reason I haven't gotten rid of it, is because it is paid off, but the cost of fixing it is coming close to a car payment.

Latest problem is the car won't ignite when I start it. The car is turning, but so battery is working and starter is working. I just go the coolant sensor fixed which I was told would fix the gas mixture ratio to compensate for the temperature difference (makes sense). I am about to go back to the dealership to see what they say this time. Anyone have a similar problem?