Hello, I noticed a recall done on these vw vehicles. (http://hdhtex.com/index.php/volkswagen-brake-light-and-turn-signal-recalls-affect-more-than-1000000-vehicles/) the recall is due to the brake lights and blinker lights not working together. If I am signaling left and I put my brakes on, the signal switches sides and the lights start blinking. This happens with both directions. This is a huge saftey issue and its not due to any aftermarket tinkering. I called volkswagon to help me with this problem and they declined any assistance to me. It makes sense for them to fix this if it was a recall at one point. Thank you
2001 Volkswagen Golf electrical problems
15 complaints (13% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000.
- owner complaints
- 15
- of this car's complaints
- 13%
- typical mileage
- 90,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Ignition3
- Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
- Wiring1
- Starter assembly1
- Alternator/generator/regulator1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Volkswagen Golf electrical problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Engine stalling
By letter received on june 24, 2005, mr. Ronald m. Strickland of raleigh, nc, submitted a petition requesting that the agency investigate the performance of the ignition coil plugs on model year (my) 2000-2003 volkswagen jetta, golf and passat sedans.the petitioner alleges that he had experienced multiple stalling events as a result of one or more ignition coil plugs malfunctioning on his 2002 vw jetta sedan.as a result of the engine stalling, the petitioner experienced a loss of power steering and increased braking efforts when he pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road to control the vehicle.after a few minutes parked on the shoulder he was able to restart the vehicle although the engine operated at reduced power.vw issued a customer satisfaction campaign (csc) on january 31, 2003 to instruct their dealerships to inspect the vehicles for any malfunctioning ignition coil packs and to replace them at no cost to the consumer.consumers were notified to bring their vehicles to their dealerships via owner letters mailed out on june 6, 2003.while vw initially instructed the dealerships to only replace the malfunctioning ignition coil packs, a revised csc was issued to dealerships in december 2003 and january 2004, instructing dealerships to replace all ignition coil packs regardless of their performance.a reminder to the dealerships was sent by vw on april of 2004.although the concerns of the petitioner could theoretically create a safety problem, the risk is very small, due to the engine still running on either 3, 5, or 7 cylinders.there are no reported crashes or injuries due to the alleged defect.once drivers are aware of the problem (loss of power due to one of the ignition coil packs malfunctioning), drivers are able to take precautionary and compensatory measures and still maintain control of their vehicles.in addition, four fires were reported to odi.these were ignition coil burnouts with no additional damage to the vehicle and were localized on top of the engine. During the last 24 months the number of stall and drivability complaints reported to odi has greatly diminished from a peak of 195 in january of 2003 to only 3 in august of 2005.this coincides with the csc released by vw.a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
DP05004
What 2001 Volkswagen Golf owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
A plastic burning smell in cabin was noted at highway speed. Upon exiting the highway, smoke was seen coming from the HVAC control panel. Recirculation fan was switched from high speed setting to off. The smoke continued to intensify, until all dc power was removed from the car. Maintenance found the HVAC controller, rotatory fan speed switch to have melted in the off position due to the heat of the electrical arching in side the switch. Damaged limited to the HVAC control panel p/n 1j0 820 045f manufactured by valeo.
2001 vw golf with 192285 mi experienced loss of electrical power to systems that are mounted on the rear hatch back door, (third brake light, rear defrosters, and wiper). Upon inspection of the wiring harness found the wiring chaffed and or broken at point where the harness passes through the harness shield. (where the harness passes from the car body to the lift gate)
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 volkswagen golf. While driving approximately 60 MPH on normal road conditions, the engine experienced low power, rough idling, and hesitation. The check engine and air bag warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The indicators remained lit until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the failures were related to the coil pack. The vehicle was repaired. On two separate occasions after the repair, the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for identical failures with no resolutions. The vehicle currently is inoperable and has not been repaired for the malfunction. The failure mileage was 90,000 and current mileage was 150,000.
Vw 2001 golf tdi spontaneously combusted while driving. Auto was a total loss due to fire.
Check engine light flashed while car urged/stalled/surged/stalled. Check engine light remained on. Brought vehicle to mechanic, coded category non performance. Cat replaced with o2 sensors at $900. Light/ surged/stalled and returned to mechanic immediately. He replaced genuine volkswagen plugs, wires, and ignition coil. No cracks were found, but replaced anyway at $300. Light continued to illuminate, t and remained lit within 40 miles of reset, codes category, bank 1. Ran rough and smelled of raw gas once light went on. Recall did not cover this model although the failure was identical. Only 2.0 aeg motors covered not 2.0 azg to 120000. Quirky operation will result in an accident. Self limiting use of vehicle until problem diagnosed and repaired- o2 sensors at $187 each x 2 in exhaust were next.
Multiple issues regarding vehicle reliability: replacement (twice) of oil transmission lines, repair to turbo system, and now replacement of diesel "glow plugs", cabling and failure of starter motor.
I own a 2001 vw golf. Last year I had replaced the alternator (failure) at gunther vw dealership (in coconut creek, fl), the date is 07/21/2005. I have paid for the service and parts. I want to mention that in spite of the fact I have paid for a new part they installed a re-manufactured one. This year in july the alternator seemed to give me problems once again. It happened on july 17 2006. The next day 7/18/2006 I called gunther vw to schedule an appointment. I was asked what is the problem and I told them is the alternator (I have the expertise, holding a bs and ms in engineering with an automotive major). They could not schedule this appointment earlier than july 29, 2006. On that date (7/29/06) I took the car to the dealership and they confirmed it was the alternator, but they could not replace it under warranty (1 year from 7/21/06) because they claimed the warranty had expired and suggested to call vw - the manufacturer. They denied the warranty. The fact is that specific part (the alternator failed prior that date and I called the dealership prior the expiration date, but because of the scheduling availability they told me to bring the car after almost 2 weeks). I explained this issue to vw, but they don't want to do anything about this problem and the dealership has the same position (because they back up the manufacturer). I consider that this treatment is absolutely no fair, and I feel robbed (paid over $700 for that service + re-manufactured part, thinking is vw does quality), and now because their own system I am turned down, when I ask for that part replacement under warranty. Please help me to overcome this injustice, and have my vehicle restored to a safe condition.
I just found out that there is a recall for vw golf for ignition coil. I had problems with that last year and I took it to a dealer but instead of replacing the coils they replaced my battery and starter... Exactly a year after that the same thing happen (this january). I had to get my car towed and took it to a garage cause it was close to my house. My ignition coils had to be replaced. So I was wondering if there is a way I can be reimbursed for what I paid, at least for the parts. The first time this happened I can't believe that they didn't replace the coils at the dealership cause exactly the same thing happened, exactly year after. Is there anything I can do? Thank you jana.
Complete failure of engine at highway speeds.
Questions about the 2001 Volkswagen Golf electrical
Does the 2001 Volkswagen Golf have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 15 complaints about the electrical of the 2001 Volkswagen Golf, 13% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2001 Volkswagen Golf electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Volkswagen Golf electrical?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Volkswagen Golf have the most electrical problems?
The Volkswagen Golf model years with the most electrical complaints are 2011 (18 complaints), 2015 (18 complaints) and 2001 (15 complaints).
Other 2001 Volkswagen Golf problems
Airbags 32Engine 23Lights 15Visibility 13Brakes 10Acceleration 7Transmission 7Locks 4Seat belts 4Fuel system 3Suspension 3Body 2Seats 2Steering 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2001 Volkswagen Golf?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history