Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Visibility8
- Electrical system7
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Air bags5
- Service brakes, hydraulic4
- Vehicle speed control3
- Power train3
- Seats2
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Suspension2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 7 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 3 2001 Cabrio vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 1 person died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio failed the safety check 1.28% of the time — 36% less often than the average 2001 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 106,293 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 10.0–11.0 L/100 km (about 21–24 mpg US), CO₂ 230–253 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabrio · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 11.2 | 8.5 | 10.0 |
| Cabrio · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 12.6 | 9.1 | 11.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Volkswagen told its dealers about the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 633840 | REAR BRAKE PADS THAT APPEAR TO BE WORN PREMATURELY. *TT |
| 626978 | VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON, MULTIPLE SHORT TO GROUND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES ARE STORED. *SLC |
| 621616 | SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLATION USING THE LATCH SYSTEM (LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN). *TT |
| 614925 | SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD RESTRAINT LATCH GUIDANCE FIXTURE, INSTALLING AT PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION (PDI). *TT |
| 614924 | SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD RESTRAINT LATCH GUIDANCE FIXTURES, COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 225. *TT |
| 10253215 | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation |
| 10253214 | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation |
| 10253213 | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation |
| 10252934 | key Adaptation and Part Number |
| 10252204 | Air Conditioning Does not Operate |
| 10243050 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243034 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243011 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242996 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242399 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242388 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242375 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242372 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242349 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10241340 | Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standard VW 502 00/505 00/505 01 and VW 504 00/507 00 |
| 10241339 | Oil Consumption Measurement |
| 10241335 | Oil Consumption Measurement |
| 10241333 | Oil Consumption Measurement |
| 10241311 | Gasoline Quality |
| 10241266 | Squeaks, Rattles, Noise, Repair Materials |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)