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Volkswagen CabrioModel year report

2001 Volkswagen Cabrio Problems

Complaints
38filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
42,750miles, 25 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio. The part named most often is visibility, with 8 complaints (21% of the total), followed by electrical system (7) and air bags (5). 25 of the complaints include a mileage, and 60% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 42,750 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 7 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 123 technical service bulletins for this model year. Visibility complaints overlap with 14 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 25 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (2), Engine (1), Equipment (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10125053, filed 2005-06, 34,600 miles

Electrical system: “Airbag light has been on for quite sometime now, however, the car was never in an accident. I am so afraid that the airbags will not deploy if the car is in an accident ! There is no dealership in my town and I have had no time to take to dealership 3 hours from here due to my work schedule.”

NHTSA complaint #10162356, filed 2006-07, 50,000 miles

Air bags: “Air bag warning: I took my Cabrio to the Volkswagen (vw) dealer service to fix a turn signal lever that fails to self-cancel after making left-hand turns. Vw dealer reports that air bag cartridge is integrated into the turn signal assembly and the air bag is inoperable, even though there is no indication of any air bag problem. Dealer also stated that this kind of problem is something they have seen several times.”

NHTSA complaint #10047365, filed 2003-11, 40,300 miles

Brakes: “When starting car 75% of the time ABS and (hand) brake light would switch on though brake not engaged; at the same time headlights and A/C didn't work. Was told it is an ignition switch problem. Also, window automatic close malfunctioning which dealer service says is unrelated. Necessitated about $1,800 parts and labor. Also, unfortunately at the mercy generally of vw dealer service since many mechanics do not stock the computer necessary to diagnose electrical problems. I have experienced service problems with two vw dealers in my area (northern virgnia). …”

NHTSA complaint #10088451, filed 2004-08

Mileage when problems were reported

60% of the 25 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,246 and 70,000 miles.

4%0–1032%10–2524%25–5016%50–7516%75–1008%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (25 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 42,750 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

20021020042006200820102013
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Cabrio FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual212824$2,800
Cabrio FWD2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic202622$3,050

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 123 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 123 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volkswagen Cabrio

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20022352,4500—24—Stable
20013842,7501—24Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20001639,5001—24—Stable
19992962,5000—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19982185,0001—24—Stable
19971492,5000—24—Not enough data
19966200,0000—23—Not enough data
19951563,0000—24—Stable
1993810,0000—24—Not enough data
19929125,7501—25—Not enough data
1991787,0003—25—Not enough data

All Volkswagen Cabrio model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio have?

NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio is reported most often?

Visibility is named most often, in 8 complaints (21% of the total), followed by electrical system with 7.

Has the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio (Cabrio, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio reported?

Among the 25 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 42,750 miles and the middle half falls between 20,246 and 70,000 miles; 60% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.