RoadVitals

2001 Volkswagen Cabrio

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
38
Latest Mar 31, 2013
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Sep 12, 2002
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
9
7 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 38 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio, most frequently naming the visibility, engine and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 129 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine611.5%
  • Electrical611.5%
  • Airbags59.6%
  • Brakes59.6%
  • Interior & seats47.7%
  • Driver assistance35.8%
  • Other / unspecified23.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Sep 12, 2002
332,950 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGES INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE'S REAR SEATS MUST BE IDENTIFIED BY MARKINGS, AND THEIR LOCATION AND USE BE DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.
The risk: THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT MARKED OR DESCRIBED AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND ALSO ONE SET OF FOUR GUIDANCE FIXTURES INTENDED TO USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHILD SEATS EQUIPPED WITH RIGID OR SEMI-RIGID LOWER ANCHORAGE ATTACHMENTS. ALSO ENCLOSED WILL BE FOUR DECALS TOGETHER WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND A TEMPLATE FOR ATTACHING THE DECALS TO THE LOWER SEAT BACKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 15, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 31, 2013
Fire reported

THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON MY 2001 CABRIO MAY AND HAVE CAUSED A SHORT WHICH SPARKED UNDER HOOD CAUSING SMOKE AND POSSIBLE FIRE ALSO, THE COMPUTER OVER HEATS CAUSING SHORTS WHICH MADE THE TRANSMISSION FAIL AND GAUGES FAIL, THE US GOV. (DIVISION) THAT HANDLES SUCH FAULTS SHOULD FORCE VOLKSWAGEN TO RECALL EVERY AND ALL CARS FOR REPAIRS! THE US OWNERS ARE PAYING FOR VOLKSWAGENS MISTAKES, PARTIALLY FOR THEIR DECISION TO HAVE THESE CARS MADE IN MEXICO EVADING TAX'S AND WHICH HAS MADE THESE AUTOS CHEAP AND FLAWED. THESE CARS ARE UNSAFE AND THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES ARE AND WILL IN FUTURE COST THE AMERICAN PUBLIC ALOT OF MONEY....... SO FAR: MY AUTO HAS BEEN AT REPAIR SHOP FOR OVER 6 MONTHS AND HAS COST ME MORE THEN WHAT IT'S WORTH, HARD WORKING PEOPLE ARE GETTING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY A POORLY BUILT AND UNSAFE PRODUCT [XXX][XXX] PS EVEN VOLKSWAGEN DOESN'T AND CAN'T FIX ALL THESE ITEMS, TRY TAKING IT TO DEALER..... YOU WILL SEE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10505121
Incident
May 24, 2012
Mileage
98,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 7, 2011
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON CRASH AND THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS ON HER FACE AND A RIB FRACTURE. THE PASSENGER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ALSO INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO TOW YARD AND WAS TAKEN INTO THE POSSESSION OF THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR EVALUATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND SHE WAS WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY WITH THE INVESTIGATION RESULTS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA ID
10395166
Incident
Apr 5, 2011
Mileage
136,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 16, 2010

I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO, WHICH VW DOES NOT MAKE ANYMORE, AND THIS IS PROBABLY WHY. THE CAR IS ALWAYS BEING FIXED. ONE MAJOR ISSUE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THREE FRONT AXLES IN THIS CAR. 3/27/07 KARL'S CUSTOM VW; 6/28/08 BIG O TIRES; AND NOW, 11/16/2010 I AM TOLD BY SUNDEVIL AUTO ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS ARE SAGGING CAUSING AXLES TO BIND, THE CAR NEEDS 4 TRANSMISSION MOUNTS AND 2 AXLES. VW PARTS ARE OBVIOUSLY INFERIOR. I THOUGHT VW VEHICLES WERE SUPPOSE TO LAST OVER 200,000 MILES. WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR ME? I AM UNEMPLOYED AND CANNOT AFFORD THIS $1100 REPAIR, BUT I NEED MY VEHICLE. WITH EACH TIME I'VE HAD THIS FIXED, I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID
10367381
Incident
Nov 16, 2010
Mileage
134,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 2, 2010

ON MOST VOLKSWAGENS (AND SOME AUDI'S) THAT WERE BUILT BETWEEN THE YEARS 1998 TO 2002 IT APPEARS THAT THE ABS COMPUTERS FAIL AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5 YEARS. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE A FAULT IN THE INTERNAL WIRING OF THE COMPUTER THAT ALLOWS WIRES TO OVERHEAT, RENDERING THE UNIT INOPERABLE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED ON SEVERAL FORUMS AS WELL AS SEVERAL COMPANIES HAVE STARTED UP WITH THE SOLE PURPOSE OF REPAIRING THESE UNITS. VOLKSWAGEN IS UNWILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM OR PROVIDE IN COMPENSATION IN REPAIRING THE DEFECTIVE UNITS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10353509
Incident
May 10, 2009
Mileage
83,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 27, 2009

FUNCTION OF TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS ON MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO HAS BEEN DEGRADING OVER TIME. BOTH SYSTEMS ARE NOW COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THERE IS AN ACTIVE VW RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V584000) FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 2000-2002 GOLF, GTI, BEETLE AND JETTA (BUT NO CURRENT RECALL FOR THE CABRIO). I AM REQUESTING THAT THE RECALL BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE CABRIO MODELS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT IS CLEARLY WIDESPREAD ON 2000-2002 VW VEHICLES OF ALL MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10290013
Incident
Oct 25, 2009
Mileage
70,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 1, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V096000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ID
10250377
Incident
Oct 23, 2008
Mileage
21,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 26, 2008

I HAVE HAD 5 TIRES FAIL ON ME IN A 6 MONTHS PERIOD, THEY HAVE EITHER BEEN BLOW OUTS AND OR FLATS. I DRIVE A 2001 VW CABRIO. THE LAST 2 TIMES HAVE BEEN 3 DAYS APART, WITH THIS PAST SATURDAY DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS TO VAIL COLO. BY MYSELF AND MY YOUNG DAUGHTER. MY FRONT D/S TIRE BLEW IN A VERY BAD LOCATION ON I-70, NEEDLESS TO SAY WE WERE VERY SCARED BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION IT BLEW. YESTERDAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK THE BACK D/S WENT FLAT. I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE ON THIS RISKING MY RIM TO GET TO A SAFE LOCATION. I WAS TOLD BY A FIRESTONE LOCATION THAT I STOPPED AT THE TIRE IS DEFECTIVE AS HE FOUND A HOLE THE SIZE OF AN ERASER HEAD INSIDE THE WALL OF THE TIRE AND THAT WALL WAS VERY FLIMSEY AND SOFT. I CAN ACCOUNT FOR EVERY TIME IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS I HAVE HAD A TIRE FAIL ON ME. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE, THESE TIRES HAVE ALL BEEN DOUGLAS TIRES 195 60R14 86H PERFORMANCE GTH EVERYTIME I HAVE HAD A TIRE FAIL ON ME THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING FOUND HAVING CAUSED THE TIRE TO FAIL (NO NAILS OR ANY OTHER OBJECTS THAT COULD HAVE ENTERED INTO THE TIRE) THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AT THE WAL-MART NEAR MY HOME, WHEN I ASKED THEM ABOUT WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS, THEY JUST ANSWER THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE NO WARRANTY WAS PURCHASED. I HAVE NEVER PURCHASED WARRANTIES ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED WHEN I PURCHASED TIRES. NOR HAVE I EVER RAN INTO A SITUATION LIKE THIS BEFORE IN THE PAST. AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND MONEY I HAVE HAD TO PUT TOWARDS TIRES I AM QUITE FRUSTRATED AND CONCERNED AS WELL. ANOTHER THING I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT, I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES EXACTLY 2 YEARS TO DATE ON THIS CAR AND HAVE SINCE REPLACED ALL TIRES OVER A 6 MONTH PERIOD. I CAN UNDERSTAND A TIRED THAT HAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, AND THEREFORE HAVING TO BE REPLACED. BUT TIRES THAT BLOW ON YOU IN AREAS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE LIFE THREATENING, IS JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE. MY TIRES ARE ALWAYS CHECKED AND AIR IS PUT IN THEM BY MY HUSBAND AND MY CAR MAINTAINED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10249924
Incident
Nov 22, 2008
Mileage
116 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 5, 2008

DRIVERS SEAT FALLS BACK TO THE BACK SEAT. SIDE ADJUSTMENT PIECE FELL OFF AND THE BACK OF THE SEAT WILL NOT STAY IN CORRECT POSITION. DEALER UNABLE TO REPAIR - SUGGESTS PURCHASING NEW SEAT $600. UNACCEPTABLE FOR A SEAT TO FALL APART WITH NORMAL USE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10237016
Incident
Sep 6, 2006
Mileage
75,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

V171901201285565

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards

V171901201285562

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

V171901201285560

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

V941901201152119

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Update model year applicability to include 2023.

V271901201189422

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.

V171901201285534

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Cabrio by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011000
2010000
2002230040.6
2001Viewing381044.8
2000161141.7
1999290145.1
1998211149.5
1997140142.0
1996601
1995150130.8
1994000
1993800
1992910
1991730
1989100

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.