2001 Volkswagen Golf

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  VW DEALER PERFORMED 2ND REQUIRED TIMING BELT/WATER PUMP CHANGE AT 154626 MILES, 5400 EARLIER THAN REQUIRED, AT APPROX 183600 MILES, 30K MILES LATER WATER PUMP FAILED UPON REMOVAL OF WATER PUMP FOUND PLASTIC IMPELLER SLIPPING / NOT ATTACHED TO METAL DRIVE SHAFT. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILED WATER PUMP, THE ENGINE OVER HEATED. DUE TO DEFECT HISTORY DID NOT INSTALL NEW VW MANUFACTURED WATER PUMP, PLASTIC/COMPOSITE IMPELLER,. REQUIRED AN AFTERMARKET OEM BUILT WATER PUMP, WITH METAL IMPELLER ASSEMBLY TO BE INSTALLED ON VEHICLE. THE REMOVED DAMAGE WATER PUMP IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *TR

• 12/20/2005· POWER TRAIN

  DT: THE CONTACT STATES VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT A PRIVATE MECHANIC. REPAIRS WILL BE MADE AT CONTACT'S EXPENSE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. *AK

• 12/17/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GLS 1.8T ON MONDAY, DEC 2, 2002, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (INDICATING THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN), ENGINE STUTTERING, AND LOSS OF POWER. UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALER THE CAUSE WAS FOUND TO BE A FAULTY IGNITION COIL. A REPLACEMENT WAS ORDERED BUT DUE TO THE NATIONAL SHORTAGE OF IGNITION COILS FOR VW/AUDI 1.8TS IT WAS NOT KNOWN WHEN THE PART WOULD ARRIVE. THE REPLACEMENT IGNITION COIL WAS RECEIVED AND INSTALLED BY THE VW DEALER ON THURSDAY, DEC 5, 2002. DUE TO THE PARTS SHORTAGE ONLY ONE OF FOUR IGNITION COILS WAS REPLACED. AFTER REPLACEMENT ALL PREVIOUS SYMPTOMS WERE GONE AND THE VEHICLE RAN NORMALLY. ON THURSDAY, DEC 12, 2002, THE SYMPTOMS (FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, STUTTERING ENGINE, AND LOSS OF POWER) RETURNED. AGAIN THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS AN IGNITION COIL FAILURE BY THE SAME VW DEALER. ONE OF THE IGNITION COILS THAT HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS FAULTY. I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THE DEALERS HANDLING OF THE SITUATION. I AM NOT PLEASED WITH VW'S USAGE OF A PART THAT HAS SHOWN TO BE AS FAILURE PRONE AS THESE IGNITION COILS. TS

• 12/16/2005· AIR BAGS

  2001 VW GOLF TDI. MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND CONTINUES TO REMAIN ON. I HAVE HEARD OF SOMEONE ELSE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MODEL CAR. *JB

• 12/10/2007· AIR BAGS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS, INCLUDING THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAGS, DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60-65 MPH AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL AND THERE WAS NO SUDDEN IMPACT OR CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,350. UPDATED 03-05-08 *BF

• 12/08/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. ENGINE FAILURE, VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT REPAIR EVEN THOUGH IT IS UNDER WARRANTY. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED 13 TIMES IN 14 MONTHS. *AK

• 12/06/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  VW SAYS WORKING ON IT, KNOWS COILPACKS ARE BAD. WILL ONLY REPLACE BAD ONES. ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THE OTHER'S WILL FAIL. VW WILL NOT REPLACE THE BADLY DESIGNED ONES THAT HAVE NOT GONE BAD YET. RECALL SHOULD BE DONE. SITUATION OF FAILED COIL PACKS CAN POTENTIALLY BE DANGEROUS. DT

• 11/29/2020· STRUCTURE

  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.

• 11/22/2004· VISIBILITY

  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. *JB I HAVE CHILDREN THAT TRAVEL IN THE CAR FREQUENTLY AND IF WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AND GET OUT OF THE CAR. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. I REALIZE THAT THE GTI VERSION OF MY CAR DOESN'T HAVE WINDOWS THAT ROLL DOWN IN THE BACK BUT I DIDN'T BUY THAT CAR BECAUSE I HAVE KIDS THAT NEED TO RIDE IN THE CAR. THEREFORE I NEED WINDOWS THAT ROLL DOWN TOO. I TOOK THE CAR TO A VW DEALER BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD FIX IT UNDER THE EXTENDED SERVICE THING THAT THE FRONT WINDOW ARE FIXXED UNDER. AFTER THEY TOOK THE CAR, THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT IT DOESN'T COVER THE REAR WINDOWS. SO, I DECLINED GETTING IT FIXXED BY THEM AND WILL REPAIR IT MYSELF. THE PART COSTS $120 FOR THE REAR WINDOWS. THE FRONT WINDOW HAVE A REPAIR KIT THAT SELLS FOR ABOUT $20 (IT JUST REPLACES THE FAULTY PART, NOT THE WHOLE UNIT AS THE REAR WINDOWS DO). AT A MINIMUM THEY SHOULD SELL A REPAIR KIT FOR THE REAR WINDOWS.

• 11/19/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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. *NM

• 11/17/2010· SEATS

  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. *TR

• 11/16/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  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. *LA

• 11/12/2000· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  DEALER HAS UNNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE SENT THE VEHICLE TO REPAIR AND HAD IT PUT ON THE COMPUTER. INDICATIONS WERE THAT THE THROTTLE VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT. GOT THE VEHICLE BACK- DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN- 3TIMES. STILL THE LIGHT COMES ON. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW - LEASE. I AM NOT ACCEPTING THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS NOT WHTA I EXPECTED IN A BRAND-NEW VEHICLE HELP!! *AK

• 10/27/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

  TL*THE 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 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE RELATED TO THE COIL PACK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES WITH NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY IS INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

• 10/25/2006· POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I BUMPED THE SHIFTER WHILE REACHING FOR MY SODA. THE SHIFTER WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND WOULD NOT COME OUT UNTIL I FORCED IT BACK INTO DRIVE. I PULLED OVER INTO A GAS STATION. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TRIED TO SHIFT BACK INTO DRIVE, BUT THE SHIFTER WOULDN'T BUDGE. I FINALLY GOT IT TO GO INTO PARK AFTER A TOW TRUCK DRIVER SUGGESTED THAT I TURN THE IGNITION TO DIFFERENT POSITIONS WHILE PUMPING THE BREAK AND PULLING ON THE SHIFTER. IT FINALLY RELEASED AND I DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. THE MALFUNCTION WAS IN THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH SO I HAD TO GET IT REPLACED. I WAS CHARGED $40 FOR THE PART ITSELF AND $230 FOR THE WORK. I FEEL THAT SINCE THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 1998-2002 VW BEETLE AND THE 1999-2001 VW JETTA THAT THERE SHOULD BE ONE ON THE 2001 VW GOLF AS WELL. *NM

• 10/21/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF WITH THE TDI ENGINE (ENGINE CODE ALH). LAST NIGHT AND THIS MORNING I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ECU POWER RELAY ("RELAY 109"). SYMPTOMS ARE SUDDEN STALLING OF THE ENGINE WITH THE INABILITY TO RESTART FOR 3-5 MINUTES. THIS MORNING DURING MY MORNING COMMUTE MY ENGINE STALLED 4 TIMES, 3 OF WHICH WERE ON AN EXTREMELY BUSY FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THIS IS A KNOWN AND WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THE TDI ENGINE. THERE HAVE BEEN A LARGE NUMBER OF REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM (SEE HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM AND SEARCH FOR "RELAY 109" FOR EXAMPLES). VOLKSWAGEN HAS RELEASED AN UPDATED RELAY WHICH FIXES THIS FAILURE MODE. LUCKILY I WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM SO I WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT AND INSTALL IT MYSELF. VW KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE... THE ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING AND MAY NOT BE RESTARTED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. LUCKILY THIS MORNING I WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN THE FIRST STALL HAPPENED. I RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AND AFTER I WAS ABLE TO RESTART MY ENGINE AND CONTINUE ON, I GOT INTO THE RIGHT-HAND LANE, ASSUMING THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 55 MPH, AND FORTUNATELY I WAS PREPARED TO STOP THE CAR SAFELY. THIS HAPPENS TO VWS WITH TDI ENGINES UP TO AND INCLUDING THE 2001 MODEL YEAR. THE OLD RELAY PART NUMBER IS 357906381A AND THE NEW REPLACEMENT IS 1J0906381A. THIS SITUATION MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED SERIOUS SINCE THE REPLACEMENT PART IS ONLY ABOUT $25 AND INSTALLATION TAKES LESS THAN 10 MINUTES, BUT I FEEL THAT IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *LA

• 10/16/2006· AIR BAGS

  WHILE DRIVING HOME ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED LEAVING BRUISING AND SCRAPES ON PASSENGER. NO OTHER VEHICLE OR OBSTRUCTION IN WAY. *NM

• 10/16/2000· AIR BAGS

  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.

• 10/14/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  EXPERIENCE TWO EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILURES ON TWO DIFFERENT 01 TDI VW GOLFS. EXPERIENCED SEPARATION THE OF THE EXHAUST PIPE/DOWN PIPE ASSY AT THE WELD OF THE CAT EXIT. ONE CAR WITH 179800 MILES AND THE OTHER WITH 73000 MILES. AS A RESULT A STRONG EXHAUST SMELL WAS NOTICED IN THE CABIN DURING CITY DRIVING. BOTH CARS EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM WITHIN THE SAME WEEK. *TR

• 10/04/2006· AIR BAGS,EQUIPMENT

  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 HARNESS. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND HARNESS, IGNITER, ETC TO BE INSTALLED. PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE UPON REPAIR THIS TIME ( A QUITE COSTLY VENTURE). VW WILL NOT ADMIT A SERIOUS PROBLEM, BUT NON-VW REPAIR CENTERS KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM. *NM

• 09/29/2005· AIR BAGS

  DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 45 MPH. CONTACT DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT ON PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT, BUT IT WAS ON NOW. THERE WAS SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WAS WEARING THE SEAT BELT. CURRENTLY, THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. IT WAS STILL THE SAME WAY AS IF SOMEONE WERE SITTING IN THE SEAT. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES, HAD BURN MARKS ON HER ARMS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS THIS INCIDENT ON FILE. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT SINCE CONTACT DROVE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT, IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A DO IT YOURSELF PART, AND SHE HAD NOT GOTTEN A CHANCE TO DO SO YET. *AK *NM

• 09/27/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  DT: THE CALLER SAID BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS FAULTY. HE HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE CALLER SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SAME BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THE JETTA, BUT NOT ON THE GOLF.*AK

• 09/22/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE 2001 VOLKSWAGEN WAS HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE SWITCH. THE BRAKES WERE NOT COMING ON WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED. THERE WAS A LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD THAT RED GLOWING PLUG WARNING. THIS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN, AND THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT HELP THE CONSUMER WITH THE PROBLEM. THIS STARTED ON 9-22-2005. THE CONSUMER HAD NO BRAKE LIGHT OR CRUISE CONTROL. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED , AND THEY STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE.*AK

• 09/21/2006· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  GOT TRANSMISSION WORK DONE ON 9/19/06. PICK CAR UP THAT EVENING AND DROVE HOME ON CITY STREETS. ON 9/20/06 GOT ON FREEWAY TO GO TO WORK AND ACCELERATED TO 55 MPH AT WHICH TIME THE HOOD SNAPPED BACK AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SERVICE WORK WAS DONE. SAID THE PROBLEM WITH THE HOOD WAS DUE TO A FAULTY/FAILED HOOD LATCH. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE HOOD AND INSTALLED A NEW HOOD LATCH. *NM

• 09/21/2003· AIR BAGS

  2001 VW GOLF 2.0L WITH 59K MILES AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON AT STARTUP AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. CALLED VW OF AMERICA AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY REPORTED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WAITING FOR VW OF AMERICA RESPONSE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS TO TAKE PLACE. *JB

• 09/20/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITYFire

  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. *TR

• 09/19/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CATALYTIC CONVERTOR FAILURE AT 82,000 REPLACED CONVERTOR. *JB

• 09/18/2002· SEAT BELTS

  SEAT BELT WILL NOT RELEASE FOR MORE ROOM, AND IT WILL CAUSE SEAT BELT TO CUT CONSUMER'S NECK, CAUSING DISCOMFORT FOR CONSUMER WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

• 09/15/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF WAS MANUFACTURED ON 12/2000. THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY LINE NIPPLE CRACKED AND HAD BEEN LEAKING GAS UNDER THE REAR SEAT. IT WAS TAKEN TO CAMELBACK VOLKSWAGEN IN PHOENIX ARIZONA WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AS A NEW. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ACKNOWLEDGED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THEY REPLACE A LOT OF THE FUEL PUMPS DUE TO NIPPLE CRACKS BUT VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS AS A RECALL OR SAFETY ISSUE DESPITE A RECALL NOTICE FOR GOLFS MANUFACTURED THE SAME YEAR WITH THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE AS MY VEHICLE. THE FUEL LINE TENSION CAUSED THE NIPPLE TO CRACK OFF. VOLKSWAGEN REFUSED TO REPAIR THIS AS A DEFECT. THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR

• 09/09/2005· VISIBILITY

  WINDOW REGULATOR MADE OF PLASTIC CLIP IS KNOWN TO BREAK AND VW EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 7 YEARS. HOWEVER, THEY ONLY SPECIFIED FOR AUTOMATIC WINDOW, WHEN BOTH USES SAME PLASTIC REGULATOR CLIP THAT IS DEFECTIVE ON BOTH AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL. WHEN I CONTACTED VW DEALER HQ, THEY BOTH DENIED ON WARRANTY. HQ STATED THAT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ENOUGH COMPLAINTS, THEY WILL NOT COVER MANUAL WINDOW REGULATOR, EVEN THOUGH THEY USE SAME DEFECTIVE PLASTIC CLIP. *JB

• 09/05/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  VW 2001 GOLF TDI SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED WHILE DRIVING. AUTO WAS A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO FIRE. *TR

• 09/05/2003· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON SIDE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NO DAMAGE DONE TO VEHICLE OTHER THAN SLIGHT SCRATCH ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE. IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED WHETHER OR NOT THE SCRATCH WAS THERE BEFORE OR AFTER THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE, AND THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

• 09/05/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, WHILE MAKING A TURN, SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP OR DURING ACCELERATION FROM A STOP POSITION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON EIGHT OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

• 09/03/2002· VISIBILITY

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 08/31/2014· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY INDICATING A MALFUNCTION. *TR

• 08/30/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH NO INDICATION OF STOPPING, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DEACTIVATED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT HE WOULD BE REAR ENDED DUE TO THE FAILURE. *AK THE VEHICLE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DETERMINED FROM THE TROUBLE CODES THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED ALONG WITH THE FUEL PUMP RELAY, OXYGEN SENSOR, ECT AND PURGE VALVE. *NM

• 08/28/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  CONSUMER STATES THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOISY.*YH

• 08/26/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE DEALERSHIP SOLD ME A VEHICLE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT IT HAS PROBLEMS WITH OIL LEAKS AND OIL CONSUMPTION (AS WELL AS OTHER PROBLEMS) EXPERIENCED WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICING 4 DAYS AFTER PURCHASED AND HAVE MADE 8 REPAIR ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WILL BE RETURNED, FOR THE SECOND TIME, TO THE DEALERSHIP AND RESOLD TO ANOTHER UNSUSPECTING PERSON UNLESS IT IS PROPERLY NOTED TO AUTOCHECK AND CARFAX THAT IT IS A LEMON AND HAS BEEN BOUGHT BACK TWICE. *TR

• 08/26/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF TDI. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED CAUSING NO BRAKE LIGHTS TO BE LIT WHILE BRAKING. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE THE CAR COULD EASILY BE REAR-ENDED. THE ODD THING IS THAT VW HAS RECALLED THEIR OTHER MODELS BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT, BUT NOT THE GOLF. MY GOLF EVEN USES THE IDENTICAL PART TO THE ONE THAT WAS RECALLED. IF OTHER MODELS ARE RECALLED BECAUSE OF THIS PART DEFECT, WHY WASN'T THE GOLF RECALLED?*JB

• 08/19/2005· AIR BAGS

  I BOUGHT A USED 2001 VW GOLF IN APRIL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A VW DEALER AND PAID $85 FOR THEM TO TELL ME THAT THE AIRBAG HAD HIGH RESISTANCE AND MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THEY SAID THE HARNASS OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG NEED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST ME $700. THIS IS NOT A WEARABLE PART OF THE CAR, AND IS A DESGIN FAULT THAT MAY ENDAGER THE LIFE OF THE DRIVER. I AM WONDERING WHY I SHOULD PAY FOR THIS. SHOULDN'T IT BE THE RESPONBSIBILITY OF VW TO ENSURE THAT NON-WEARABLE PARTS REMAIN WORKING FOR QUITE A LONG TIME? ESPECIALLY IF IT IS SAFETY RELATED?

• 08/19/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MY VW GOLF 2001 WITH 2.0L GASOLINE ENGINE HAS A O2 SENSOR PROBLEM. BUT DEAR COULD NOT FOUND ANY RECALL ON MY CAR. SINCE THERE IS A MASSIVE RECALL ON O2 SENSORS AND MY CAR FIT IN THE CATEGORY, AND IT BROKEN DOWN RIGHT AFTER THE WARRENTY EXPIRES, IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. ALSO THE MASSIVE AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILS AFTER THE WARRENTY, WHICH IT IS NOT FIXED UNTIL IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALER FOR 3 TIMES!*AK

• 08/12/2002· AIR BAGS

  WHILE DRIVING, ONE OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THERE IS NO DAMAGE WHATSOEVER TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, CLAIM 55-S451-201. *SLC

• 08/12/2002· AIR BAGS

  WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE HIT A POTHOLE, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN, CLAIM 28-3091-943. *SLC

• 08/03/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I OWN A 2001 VW GOLF. LAST YEAR I HAD REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR (FAILURE) AT GUNTHER VW DEALERSHIP (IN COCONUT CREEK, FL), THE DATE IS 07/21/2005. I HAVE PAID FOR THE SERVICE AND PARTS. I WANT TO MENTION THAT IN SPITE OF THE FACT I HAVE PAID FOR A NEW PART THEY INSTALLED A RE-MANUFACTURED ONE. THIS YEAR IN JULY THE ALTERNATOR SEEMED TO GIVE ME PROBLEMS ONCE AGAIN. IT HAPPENED ON JULY 17 2006. THE NEXT DAY 7/18/2006 I CALLED GUNTHER VW TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. I WAS ASKED WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AND I TOLD THEM IS THE ALTERNATOR (I HAVE THE EXPERTISE, HOLDING A BS AND MS IN ENGINEERING WITH AN AUTOMOTIVE MAJOR). THEY COULD NOT SCHEDULE THIS APPOINTMENT EARLIER THAN JULY 29, 2006. ON THAT DATE (7/29/06) I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR, BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY (1 YEAR FROM 7/21/06) BECAUSE THEY CLAIMED THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND SUGGESTED TO CALL VW - THE MANUFACTURER. THEY DENIED THE WARRANTY. THE FACT IS THAT SPECIFIC PART (THE ALTERNATOR FAILED PRIOR THAT DATE AND I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP PRIOR THE EXPIRATION DATE, BUT BECAUSE OF THE SCHEDULING AVAILABILITY THEY TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR AFTER ALMOST 2 WEEKS). I EXPLAINED THIS ISSUE TO VW, BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS THE SAME POSITION (BECAUSE THEY BACK UP THE MANUFACTURER). I CONSIDER THAT THIS TREATMENT IS ABSOLUTELY NO FAIR, AND I FEEL ROBBED (PAID OVER $700 FOR THAT SERVICE + RE-MANUFACTURED PART, THINKING IS VW DOES QUALITY), AND NOW BECAUSE THEIR OWN SYSTEM I AM TURNED DOWN, WHEN I ASK FOR THAT PART REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY. PLEASE HELP ME TO OVERCOME THIS INJUSTICE, AND HAVE MY VEHICLE RESTORED TO A SAFE CONDITION. *JB

• 08/01/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE ENGINE RUNNING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE OXYGEN SENSOR WOULD LEAK CARBON MONOXIDE THROUGH OUT THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE DEALER AFTER INSPECTION AND HAD A FAULTY O2 SENSOR REPLACED. *AK *CB

• 08/01/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DEALER REPORTED THAT TIMING BELT EXPLODED. *AK

• 07/29/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO RESPOND, THE HAZZARD LIGHTS WOULD FLASH WHEN THE DEFROSTER WAS TURNED ON, THE GAS TANK COVER WOULD OPEN WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED, THE REMOTE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK... A BUNCH OF RANDOM PROBLEMS WERE INTERMITTENT AT FIRST -THEN BECAME PERMANANT. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT BARRY VOLKSWAGON (DARTMOUTH MA) INSISTED THAT IT WAS NOT RELATED TO AN ADVISORY REPORT ON WINDOW CLIPS BUT OFFERED TO FIX IT FOR $1000. TRACY VOLKSWAGON (HYANNIS, MA) TOOK A LOOK AT THE SAME CAR AND FIXED THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. IT WAS THE WINDOW CLIPS SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 640101. *AK

• 07/23/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

  2001 VW GOLF WITH 192285 MI EXPERIENCED LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER TO SYSTEMS THAT ARE MOUNTED ON THE REAR HATCH BACK DOOR, (THIRD BRAKE LIGHT, REAR DEFROSTERS, AND WIPER). UPON INSPECTION OF THE WIRING HARNESS FOUND THE WIRING CHAFFED AND OR BROKEN AT POINT WHERE THE HARNESS PASSES THROUGH THE HARNESS SHIELD. (WHERE THE HARNESS PASSES FROM THE CAR BODY TO THE LIFT GATE) *TR

• 07/16/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LIFTED UP THE REAR SEAT AND UNCOVERED THE ACCESS COVER TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. HE NOTICED FUEL SPILLAGE ON THE FUEL TANK DUE TO A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE. THE CONTACT CLEANED UP THE SPILL WITH A RAG. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE FUEL SPILLED ONTO THE GROUND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 150,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

• 07/15/2005· AIR BAGS

  DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. CALLER HAS BEEN TO DEALER THREE TIMES, AND SOON AFTER THEY REPAIRED IT, IT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM. *AK *JB