Does the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio, the most recent reported on September 12, 2002 (Equipment: other, owners/service/other manual). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio?

Owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is visibility (8 complaints), followed by electrical system (7).

How many 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio complaints mention a crash or fire?

6 of 38 complaints report a crash and 3 a fire; 7 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2001 Volkswagen Cabrio recalls and problems

1 recall and 38 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2001 Volkswagen Cabrio recalls

Equipment: other, owners/service/other manual

NHTSA campaign 02V244000 · reported September 12, 2002 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC · 332,950 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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 fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Visibility8
Electrical system7
Air bags5
Engine and engine cooling5
Service brakes, hydraulic4
Power train3
Vehicle speed control3
Exterior lighting2
Fuel system, gasoline2
Seats2

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Mar 31, 2013 · Electrical system · 98,000 miles · 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…

Apr 7, 2011 · Air bags · 136,000 miles · crash 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…

Nov 16, 2010 · Suspension · 134,000 miles
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…

Sep 2, 2010 · Service brakes, electric · 83,000 miles
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…

Oct 27, 2009 · Exterior lighting · 70,000 miles
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…

Cabrio model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	1	16	1	0
2001	1	38	6	3
2002	0	23	3	3

Across all years, the 2001 Cabrio has the most complaints (38). All Volkswagen Cabrio years →

Questions

Does the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio, the most recent reported on September 12, 2002 (Equipment: other, owners/service/other manual). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio?: Owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is visibility (8 complaints), followed by electrical system (7).
How many 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio complaints mention a crash or fire?: 6 of 38 complaints report a crash and 3 a fire; 7 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received March 31, 2013.