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2001 Volkswagen Golf Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 116 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Volkswagen Golf, most often about the air bags (28% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Golf model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2001 Volkswagen Golf problems
Air bags
32 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window, frontal.
Air bag warning light came on. I took it to the dealership and they said it was the side airbag in the passenger seat. I had it replaced for about $327.00.
Second time the front driver's side air bag has malfunctioned -- warning light comes on that airbag is not properly functioning. November 2005 and september 2006. Dealer would not repair then as now. Vw ordered repairs and replaced bag and harness in november 2005. All airbags will not function if a problem with…
Engine
23 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Automatic transmission failure, mass air flow sensor failure, premature rear brake pad failure, automatic door lock malfunction, water pump failure, third brake light failure.
The engine check light went on, I had two hoses replaced, and was told nothing else was wrong with the car. However, a day later, the light went back on. I was told the air filter needed cleaning and all was well. A day after that, the light went on again, and the car was having problems at ignition, it was stalling…
Electrical
15 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, alternator/generator/regulator, starter assembly.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Golf. While driving approximately 60 MPH on normal road conditions, the engine experienced low power, rough idling, and hesitation. The check engine and air bag warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The indicators remained lit until the engine was turned off. The…
Multiple issues regarding vehicle reliability: replacement (twice) of oil transmission lines, repair to turbo system, and now replacement of diesel "glow plugs", cabling and failure of starter motor.
Lights
15 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights, hazard flashing warning lights, turn signal, tail lights.
Automatic transmission failure, mass air flow sensor failure, premature rear brake pad failure, automatic door lock malfunction, water pump failure, third brake light failure.
While I have no incident to report, I would like to prevent future incidents. My car, like lots of older vehicles, suffers from uv clouding of the headlight lenses, which diminishes their effectiveness in illuminating the roadway at night. Surely this is a safety concern. Equally surely, the manufacturers are aware of…
Visibility and wipers
13 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, glass, side/rear, rear window wiper/washer.
My rear passenger widow will not roll down because of a faulty window regulator. Vw knows the problem exists because they have to replace the front window regulators that have a similar desing using plastic window clips. I have children that travel in the car frequently and if we were in an accident they would not be…
Passenger side window fell off its track on two occaisions. Renders window totally inoperative. Failure first occured around 40000 miles and then at 50000.
Brakes
9 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
I have a 2001 vw Golf. I had to have the rear brakes replaced at around 36,000 miles. But the front brakes look like they're brand new. I feel that vw has a serious problem with these cars and won't admit it. I don't feel to safe knowing that the car is only stopping on the rear brakes.
Automatic transmission failure, mass air flow sensor failure, premature rear brake pad failure, automatic door lock malfunction, water pump failure, third brake light failure.
Speed control
7 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: cruise control.
Mass airflow sensor failure has caused intermittent loss of engine power which may lead to an accident. Problem is widespread, and repeated failures are occurring with many different owners. Cars affected are diesel engine models.
Automatic transmission failure, mass air flow sensor failure, premature rear brake pad failure, automatic door lock malfunction, water pump failure, third brake light failure.
Transmission
7 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, manual transmission.
Automatic transmission failure, mass air flow sensor failure, premature rear brake pad failure, automatic door lock malfunction, water pump failure, third brake light failure.
Vw Golf 2001 unable to shift from park or neutral with ignition "on". Potentially dangerous. Fortunately this time car was not in a dangerous location. This is the second failure of the brake light switch (and automatic shift lock switch) in this car with only 30588 miles. Replaced at dealer. I have the failed switch…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Volkswagen Golf recalls
Lights: switch
Risk: The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge. The recall began on april 27, 2007, and will be conducted in several staggered mailings through september 21, 2007. Vehicles within the make, model, and model year of this population may be involved in either this recall or 06v-183, but not both. The remedy is the same for each recall. Volkswagen dealers will apply the remedy based on the VIN number of the vehicle. Owners may contact vw at 1-800-822-8987.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
Lights: switch
Risk: This may result in intermittent or inoperative turn signal and hazard flasher function.
Fix: Dealers will replace the hazard flasher switch/relay kit. The recall began on march 31, 2005. Owners should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: owners/service/other manual
Risk: These vehicles were not marked or described as required by the standard.
Fix: Owners will be provided with a supplement for the owner's manual and also one set of four guidance fixtures intended to use in conjunction with child seats equipped with rigid or semi-rigid lower anchorage attachments. Also enclosed will be four decals together with installation instructions and a template for attaching the decals to the lower seat backs. Owner notification is expected to begin september 15, 2002. Owners should contact vwoa at 1-800-822-8987.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Risk: This can result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the ABS control unit. Owner notification began march 8, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Full defect summary
On some passenger vehicles, short circuits can occur within the electronic control unit of the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Suspension: upper arm
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the bracket and if the welding is insufficient, will replace the control arm.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine stalling
Summary
By letter received on june 24, 2005, mr. Ronald m. Strickland of raleigh, nc, submitted a petition requesting that the agency investigate the performance of the ignition coil plugs on model year (my) 2000-2003 volkswagen jetta, golf and passat sedans.the petitioner alleges that he had experienced multiple stalling events as a result of one or more ignition coil plugs malfunctioning on his 2002 vw jetta sedan.as a result of the engine stalling, the petitioner experienced a loss of power steering and increased braking efforts when he pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road to control the vehicle.after a few minutes parked on the shoulder he was able to restart the vehicle although the
Inadvertent side-airbag deployment
Summary
The subject vehicles are equipped with side-thorax and side-head curtain airbags to protect the front and rear outboard occupants in a side-impact crash.this investigation identified a total of 499 reports (482 owners reports and 17 warranty claims).the crash sensing system?s algorithm may recognize certain non-crash impacts (wheel, tire and undercarriage impacts) as deployable events.the 97 alleged injuries were minor in nature and consist of abrasions, bruises, ear ringing and headaches.there was no alleged loss of control crash as a result of side-airbag deployment.odi also obtained counts of alleged inadvertent side-airbag deployments from peer manufacturers.the data shows that the subje
Turn signal/hazard flasher failure
Summary
This investigation was opened on october 19, 2004, based on nine reports on 2000 through 2001 jetta and gti vehicles alleging that the turn signals and or hazard flashers fail to blink, or flash.some of the complainants reported that the lights would blink only a few times and then stop.several of the complainants reported that having the hazard flasher switch replaced repaired their vehicles.by letter of december 13, 2004, volkswagen notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall of 350,000 model year 2000 through 2002 jetta, golf and gti vehicles to repair the turn signal and hazard flasher system.vw reports 216 owner reports, 4 field reports and 4960 warranty claims on this popu
Questions about the 2001 Volkswagen Golf
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Volkswagen Golf?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (32 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); engine (23 complaints, typically around 68,500 miles); electrical (15 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Volkswagen Golf have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 20, 2007 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Volkswagen Golf?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Golf model year since 2000, with 116 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.