What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2001 Volkswagen Golf

Typical pattern

15.8% of complaints about the 2001 Volkswagen Golf came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2001 vehicle — around the middle of the 216 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 3.9 yr in service. The most-reported system is air bags (30 complaints), typically at 3.7 yr or about 80,000 miles.

Complaints
146
Median age at failure
3.9 yr
Median mileage
72,000 n=92
Crash / fire / tow
8.2% of reports
Safety recalls
9

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
30 reports · 80,000 mi
3.7 yr
16.7%
Engine cooling
24 reports · 73,000 mi
3.3 yr
0%
Exterior lighting
15 reports · 64,000 mi
4.9 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

14E007000 2014-03-07
Engine and engine cooling:engine

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the af

A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

09E025000 2009-05-11
Exterior lighting:headlights

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

09E012000 2009-04-07
Exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

07E023000 2007-03-29
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

07V063000 2007-02-20
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

04V584000 2004-12-16
Exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights:switch

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HAZARD SWITCH AND FLASHER SYSTEM FUNCTION MAY DEGRADE OVER TIME BECAUSE OF DISTORTION AND MATERIAL TRANSFER OF THE CONTACTS OF CERTAIN HAZARD SWITCH RELAYS WHICH OCCURS DUE TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED ELECTRICAL CURRENT LOAD FROM HIGHER WATTAGE TURN SIGNAL BULBS.

THIS MAY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER FUNCTION.

02V244000 2002-09-12
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual

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.

THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT MARKED OR DESCRIBED AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

02V031000 2002-01-31
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).

THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

00V280000 2000-09-20
Suspension:front:control arm:upper arm

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF TWO BRACKETS USED TO BOLT THE FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO THE BODY STRUCTURE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN WELDED SUFFICIENTLY.

THE CONTROL ARM COULD GRADUALLY LOOSEN AND ULTIMATELY SEPARATE FROM ITS BRACKET IN NORMAL DRIVING WHICH COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL. AS THE BRACKET LOOSENS, LOUD METALLIC KNOCKING SOUNDS IN FROM THE VEHICLE WILL BE HEARD.

In owners’ own words

Air bags mileage not reported 0 mo in service
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATED PROBLEM, DEALER HAS HAD CAR FOR 4 WEEKS TRYING TO REPAIR OR OBTAIN PARTS. CURRENTLY BACKORDERED, SEVERAL CARS AWAITING SAME PARTS, ACCORDING TO DEALER.
Air bags mileage not reported 5 mo in service
AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE FIRST DAY THAT WE HAVE HAD THE CAR. WE KEEP TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT FIX BUT IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. THEY GIVE US BACK THE CAR AND WITH IN ONE TO TWO WEEKS THE LIGHT KEEPS COMING BACK ON. *AK
Air bags mileage not reported 1.1 yr in service crash / fire / tow
WHEN CONSUMER GOT INSIDE OF VEHICLE AND TURNED ON ENGINE, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, BRUISING CONSUMER'S ARM, DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. *AK *YH
Engine cooling mileage not reported 9 mo in service
MAIN AIRFLOW SENSOR WENT OUT 4 TIMES. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WOULD COME ON, AND VEHICLE WOULD LOSE ALL POWER. POWER RELAY( RELAY109) WOULD SHUT DOWN. CONTACTED DEALER, AND INFORMED TO BRING IN VEHICLE.*AK

Other Golf model years

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