Most common 1997 Volkswagen Cabrio problems
Share of the 14 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volkswagen Cabrio complaints by model year
Best Cabrio years: 1996, 1997, 1995. Years to avoid: 2001, 1999. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1997 Volkswagen Cabrio:
Fuel tank puncture
The office of defects investigation opened this investigation on August 10, 2000 based on 9 reports regarding punctured fuel tanks involving the jetta, passat, and cabrio models.the reports indicate additional reports in its response to the preliminary evaluation.this investigation has been upgraded for further study.
What 1997 Volkswagen Cabrio owners say
Electrical system
Ignition switch fails to return from starter position -- burning out starter. This is a know problem with 1997 a4 but was never reported/carried over to the 1997 cabriolet. Also, key-in-ignition-status maintained even after key removed from ignition causing battery to run down.
While driving my vw Cabrio home last night the highlights, dash lights, heater fan and radio all suddenly went off and the ABS failure light came on. I pulled the car off the road and the lights suddenly came back on and I was able to drive the last few miles home. I spoke to a service manager at vw today about this problem and it turns out it is an electrical part associated with the cars ignition switch and that it is well known and common failure with this car. I called vw head quarters and spoke to a customer advocate about this and they told me there was no recall and that vw had not considered this to be a safety problem that warranted a recall.
1997 Volkswagen Cabrio engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 26 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Volkswagen Cabrio a good car?
Based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Cabrio rates average: 33% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Cabrio at the same age. It is one of the best Cabrio years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Volkswagen Cabrio?
The electrical system — 4 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about alternator/generator/regulator. Next are the engine & cooling (2) and speed control & acceleration (2).
How many recalls does the 1997 Volkswagen Cabrio have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Volkswagen Cabrio. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Cabrio?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1996, 1997 and 1995. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001 and 1999. See the full Volkswagen Cabrio years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Volkswagen Cabrio problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 110,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.