2001 Volkswagen Cabrio Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 18%of 38 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 28,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio, 18% of the 38 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,000 miles. 1 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.
“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“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10083107, filed 2004-08, 28,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10041555, filed 2003-10, 11,600 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10120558, filed 2005-05, 20,246 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10505121, filed 2013-03, 98,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10228178Dec 6, 2022Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
- 10159014Mar 22, 2019Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
- 10158529Feb 19, 2019Battery Testing and Charging instruction. Updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10144652Jun 6, 2018This information bulletin contains instructions for checking the pins/terminals for contacts and nano contacts.
- 10133469Nov 10, 2017Tip for Scan tool concerns that may occur duing a test plan
- 10157832Sep 19, 2017Update to model year applicability.
- 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…
- 10121265Mar 12, 2015Technical Bulletin: Battery, Discharged, Diagnosis for Excessive Static Current Draw
- 10121196Feb 16, 2015Technical Bulletin: Battery, Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161, MCR340V, InCharge 940, or GRX3000VAS Charger
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 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio
8 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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