Most common 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio problems
Share of the 38 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 →
2001 Volkswagen Cabrio recalls (1)
Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual
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.
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.
What 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof
I opened the windows part way to cool the car off, and when I tried to raise the driver's window, it dropped into the door and would not come up. I could hear the motor working, but the window would not come up. Having had problems with the dealer's service dept, I took it to my local mechanic and they were able to fix it. It needed a new regulator, $370 for the part + labor + tax.
To whom it May concern: in March, 2003, my wife and I purchased a new 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio convertible. When the car had 13,611 miles on it, we noticed that the temperature gauge was not operating. There were several other problems at the time, such as the window switches not working properly, and the fact that the alarms had gone off at inappropriate times, locking up the radio. My wife took the car to the fort myers dealership for service. When she picked up the car, she was told that the instrument cluster had been replaced, and the other problems were also taken care of. She realized while driving away that the odometer was showing zero miles, so she returned to the dealership to question why. The men in the service department brushed her off and simply said it's okay, don't worry about it. …
Electrical system
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....... …
Vehicle first sufferred serious power and ignition problems one rainy day. On taking the car to the dealer we were informed the warranty was expired and it would be $750.00 for new sparkplug wires, distributor cap, and rotor. I am an engineer and found that price offensive wrt the work associated. I replaced these items and the problem persisted. After a great deal of debugging the ignition system I finally found an electrical short at the control lines to the distributor when a small amount of water was applied. I sealed and water proofed this electrical connection with silicon and could then douse the engine in water without any misfires. My wife reported continued problems with accelleration and missing on humid mornings. I took the car from her one day and it rained. Since then there is a massive misfire at the coil. This makes starting difficult and running impossible. …
Engine & cooling
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....... …
Consumer states: had 2nd electrical failure on the engine, the wiring harness burnt up. Under warranty the dealer replaced partial wiring of the harness. Also 3 ignition switches put in. Mass airflow sensor,oxygen sensor, and coolant temperature failed. Currently, the vehicle needs two hole wiring harnesses, an original harness and main engine harness.
2001 Volkswagen Cabrio engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 26 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio a good car?
Based on 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Cabrio rates avoid: 2.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the Cabrio at the same age. It is one of the Cabrio years we suggest avoiding. 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 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 8 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year, most often about power window devices and controls. Next are the electrical system (7) and engine & cooling (6).
How many recalls does the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio have?
There is 1 recall for the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio, the most recent from September 12, 2002 (owners/service/other manual). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the 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 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 43,000 miles; 60% 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.