1997 Volkswagen Cabrio Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 29%of 14 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 122,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Volkswagen Cabrio, 29% of the 14 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 122,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10214882, filed 2008-01, 169,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10512283, filed 2013-05, 75,000 miles“I'm not sure if this falls within your area or responsibility. I am reporting this because I don't believe a two year old vehicle purchased brand-new, should have both the alternator and radiator fan motor fail so soon. I thought this may be a manufacturer's defect. Thanks in advance for any information you can”
NHTSA complaint #710814, filed 1999-09Related service bulletins
- 10159014Mar 22, 2019Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
- 10157828Sep 14, 2017Updated to include model year 2014 thru 2018 applicability.
- 10122956May 8, 2015Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open…
- 10239789Jan 24, 2014To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 9 | 39% |
| 2001 | 7 | 18% |
| 2000 | 2 | 13% |
| 1999 | 10 | 34% |
| 1998 | 4 | 19% |
| 1997 | 4 | 29% |
| 1995 | 2 | 13% |
| 1993 | 2 | 25% |
| 1992 | 2 | 22% |
Other parts of the 1997 Volkswagen Cabrio
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Volkswagen Cabrio
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology