2001 Volkswagen Golf recalls and problems

The 2001 Volkswagen Golf has 5 safety recalls and 116 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Volkswagen dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
116
Crashes / fires
4 / 2
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2001 Volkswagen Golf vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2001 Volkswagen Golf recalls

Recall 07V-063: Exterior Lighting

Reported Feb 20, 2007 · 1,002,000 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Problem: On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.

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.

Recall 04V-584: Exterior Lighting

Reported Dec 16, 2004 · 410,000 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 02V-244: Equipment

Reported Sep 12, 2002 · 332,950 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 02V-031: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Jan 31, 2002 · 55,000 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Problem: On some passenger vehicles, short circuits can occur within the electronic control unit of the anti-lock braking system (Abs).

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.

Recall 00V-280: Suspension

Reported Sep 20, 2000 · 4,218 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Problem: 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.

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.

2001 Volkswagen Golf problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags33
Engine and Engine Cooling24
Electrical System15
Exterior Lighting15
Visibility14
Service Brakes, Hydraulic10
Power Train8
Vehicle Speed Control7
Seat Belts4
Latches/Locks/Linkages4
Unknown or Other3
Suspension3

Most reported parts

  • Air Bags › Side/Window — 10
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline — 8
  • Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch — 8
  • Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls — 7
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 6
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 5
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System — 4
  • Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module — 4

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 65,300 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2001 Volkswagen Golf complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Structure · at 190,000 miles · reported Nov 29, 2020
The door latches on all four driver and passenger doors often malfunction. Most the time you have to press on the door from the outside until you hear a soft click before the the door handle will work. Otherwise it is as if it were locked when it is unlocked. Also my car will lock itself if I unlock it with the key fob and get in the driver side door without starting immediately. It doesn't seem to recognise I've entered the vehicle.
Electrical System · at 174,000 miles · reported Jun 2, 2015
Hello, I noticed a recall done on these vw vehicles. (Http://hdhtex.com/index.php/volkswagen-brake-light-and-turn-signal-recalls-affect-more-than-1000000-vehicles/) the recall is due to the brake lights and blinker lights not working together. If I AM signaling left and I put my brakes on, the signal switches sides and the lights start blinking. This happens with both directions. This is a huge saftey issue and its not due to any aftermarket tinkering. I called volkswagon to help me with this problem and they declined any assistance to me. It makes sense for them to fix this if it was a recall…
Exterior Lighting · at 64,000 miles · reported May 21, 2012
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 it. So why is this deficiency of design or manufacture not the subject of recalls?
Seats · at 173,000 miles · reported Nov 17, 2010
2001 vw golf tdi, 9 years old with 173,000 miles. Driver seat mount (Welded to slider) broke and now the seat tilt toward the rear on it's rear pivot point. This metal bracket is about 1/8" thick. This is very serious and can be dangerous if it occurs while driving. I spoke with vw customer care and the reply is; car is beyond warranty and therefore can't help with repair cost, take the car to the dealer and they will diagnose the problem and repair at my cost.
Visibility · at 195,050 miles · reported Sep 20, 2010
A plastic burning smell in cabin was noted at highway speed. Upon exiting the highway, smoke was seen coming from the HVAC control panel. Recirculation fan was switched from high speed setting to off. The smoke continued to intensify, until all DC power was removed from the car. Maintenance found the HVAC controller, rotatory fan speed switch to have melted in the off position due to the heat of the electrical arching in side the switch. Damaged limited to the HVAC control panel p/n 1j0 820 045f manufactured by valeo.

Other Volkswagen Golf years

Compare all Volkswagen Golf years · All Volkswagen models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Volkswagen Golf have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2001 Volkswagen Golf: 07V-063 (exterior lighting), 04V-584 (exterior lighting), 02V-244 (equipment), 02V-031 (service brakes, hydraulic), 00V-280 (suspension). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Volkswagen Golf?

Owners report air bags problems most often (33 reports), followed by engine and engine cooling (24). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 65,300 miles.

Are Volkswagen recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Volkswagen dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.