2001 Volkswagen GTI Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 5%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 88,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the equipment of the 2001 Volkswagen GTI, 5% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 88,500 miles.
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.
“I bought a Volkswagen GTI 1.8t in 2001. It had numerous failures on me. Ignition coil failure, window collapsed sudently, shift is stuck in parking, catalyst converter failure, rear brake pads worned out very fast while the front pad was like new. I am extremely disappointed in Volkswagen. Their customer service was horrible. Allltheir responses were this is not under the warranty, it's normal wear and tear etc.”
NHTSA complaint #10088252, filed 2004-08, 64,000 miles“Engine misfires on damp mornings creating sudden loss of acceleration and intermittent stall condition. Mil light may flash but doesn't remain lit after episode. Diagnosed as second coil failure in just 2 years totaling over $1,200 in repairs. This is the vr6 engine with a single coil unit - the good coil not subject to Volkswagen's secret warranty as offered on coils of other 2001 models and on the 2002 model of the vr6. It would seem the secret warranty may have been arbitrarily limited in scope.”
NHTSA complaint #10149314, filed 2006-02, 113,000 miles“I have a 2001 vw GTI and my side curtain airbags wrongfully deployed. I received minor damage to my rear rim from a street curb that caused my airbags to wrongfully deploy. I was not in a collision, nor in serious danger, although when my airbags deployed I was frightened and veered to my left lane. Luckily no one was in that lane, but I could have received major injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #10278503, filed 2009-07Related service bulletins
- 10228180Dec 12, 2022Update model year applicability to include 2023.
- 10175799May 12, 2020Tool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1A
- 10174476Apr 21, 2020Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
- 10161215Jun 12, 2019Update vehicle metadata.
- 10159010Mar 27, 2019The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10159014Mar 22, 2019Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
- 10161475Nov 13, 2018Update vehicle metadata.
- 10125661Aug 18, 2017Update to existing tip for fuel quality checking.
- 10155644Jun 28, 2017This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
- 10157383Jun 22, 2017VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide
Equipment: other model years
Other parts of the 2001 Volkswagen GTI
21 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsTires
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsSteering
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Volkswagen GTI
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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