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2001 Volkswagen Cabrio problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio is windows, wipers and visibility. Its complaint count is close to a typical Cabrio model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
75/100
Owner complaints
38
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
129
Worst area
Visibility
Fuel economy
22-24mpg

The worst 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Visibility
    8
  • Electrical
    7
  • Engine
    6
  • Airbags
    5
  • Brakes
    5

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Visibility
    8
  • Electrical
    7
  • Engine
    6
  • Airbags
    5
  • Brakes
    5
  • Acceleration
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Lights
    2
  • Seats
    2
  • Suspension
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Locks
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 1

Equipment: other: owners/service/other manualReported September 12, 2002 · 332,950 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
These vehicles were not marked or described as required by the standard.
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.

Recall number 02V244000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio 129

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 129 bulletins for the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio

2001 Volkswagen Cabrio fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD20-2126-2822-24

What 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 31, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 98,000 miles · LA · fire

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).

Filed Apr 7, 2011 · Airbags · 136,000 miles · CA · crash · 2 injuries

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.

Filed Nov 16, 2010 · Suspension · 134,000 miles · AZ

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.

Filed Sep 2, 2010 · Brakes · 83,000 miles · VA

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.

Filed Oct 27, 2009 · Lights · 70,000 miles · CO

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 (the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Dec 1, 2008 · Lights · 21,000 miles · AZ

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 volkswagen cabrio. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Nov 26, 2008 · Tires · 116 miles · CO

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.

Filed Aug 5, 2008 · Seats · 75,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Apr 8, 2007 · Visibility · OH

The driver side window failed. I went to do the e check in ohio and had to open the window. When I left the window didn't come up anymore. The mechanic said I need to replace the regulator which cost $310 + labor = tax.*ak note: this the second regulator my car needs to be replaced.

Filed Apr 8, 2007 · Visibility · OH

The passanger front window stopped working.the mechanis said that the window regulator faile dand he had to replce it. The regulator cost me $310 plus the labor $200.

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Questions about the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio

Is the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio reliable?

Owners have filed 38 complaints about the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio, close to a typical Cabrio model year.

What is the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio year score?

The 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volkswagen Cabrio: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio?

Windows, wipers and visibility, with 8 complaints. Next is electrical (7).

How many recalls does the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio have?

1 recall, covering equipment.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio get?

Official estimates for the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio range from 22 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20-21 city and 26-28 highway.

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