Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
625–50K
650–75K
475–100K
4100–150K
1150K+
23 reports with mileage · 41 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
64 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
THE TWO AREAS WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING ARE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON FOR NO REASON. THEY HAVE ASKED US IF WE CLOSED THE GAS CAP TIGHTLY? WE ALWAYS DO! EACH TIME THEY SAY IT IS SOMETHING ELSE WHICH IS NOW GETTING COSTLY. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GAS THAT HAS …
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THE TWO AREAS WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING ARE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON FOR NO REASON. THEY HAVE ASKED US IF WE CLOSED THE GAS CAP TIGHTLY? WE ALWAYS DO! EACH TIME THEY SAY IT IS SOMETHING ELSE WHICH IS NOW GETTING COSTLY. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GAS THAT HAS MADE US SICK AND CAUSED HORRIBLE HEADACHES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT FIXED THIS PROBLEM EITHER AND ASKED IF WE TOP OFF WHEN WE FILL UP. WE DO NOT. WE FEEL THAT THIS CAR IS HAVING MAJOR ELECTRICIAL PROBLEMS AS WE DO HAVE A 2001GOLF AND HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. SINCERELY, [XXX] & [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #767520
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2002
Visibility
WHEN WINDOW REGULATOR FAILS, THE WINDOW DROPS IN THE DOOR. IF DRIVING IN RAIN OR -20 DEGREES WEATHER, IT BECOMES A SAFETY HAZARD. I'D LIKE TO SEE A RECALL SOON ON THIS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #765413
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN ATTEMPTING AN EMERGENCY STOP. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT HOT EXHAUST GASES WHERE BLOWING ON A BRAKE VALVE WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. EXHUAST SYSTEM WAS RUSTED OUT AND THE VALVE IS SITUATED NEAR THE HOLE IN THE SYSTEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #765326
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2002
EquipmentVisibility
WINDOW REGULATOR HAS BROKEN 4 TIMES, 3 ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE & 1 ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR HAS BROKEN AS WELL ON A 2 YEAR OLD CAR PURCHASED AS NEW! VOLKSWAGEN HAS REFUSED TO PAY OR HELP WITH ANY OF THE COSTS OF SAID PARTS
NHTSA ODI #764781
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline
CONSUMERS VEHICLE REEKED OF GASOLINE. THE FUMES WERE SEEPING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE DEALER WAS VERY CONCERNED AND SURPRISED THE VEHICLE MADE IT TO THE SHOP BECAUSE OF HOW EXTENSIVE THE LEAK WAS. THE PART NEEDED TO FIX VEHICLE IS ON A NATIONAL BACKORDER. *JG
NHTSA ODI #786041
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2002
Electrical System
THE BATTERY EXPLODED WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #764108
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2002
Exterior Lighting
THE DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHY THE BRAKE LIGHT SWTCH KEEPS FAILING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #761215
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension
WHEEL BEARING MAKES A STREAKING NOISE. ALSO, VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8007549
42,500 miles · Apr 2, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
I AM CONCERNED THAT SINCE THIS ENGINE MOUNT FAILED, WHAT ABOUT THE MOUNT ON THE OTHER SIDE? IS THERE A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE? ARE THERE OTHER GOLF OWNERS OUT THERE WHO WILL POTENTIALLY BE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM? IT SEEMS UNBELIEVABLE TO ME THAT AN ENGINE MOUNT COULD FAIL ON THIS NEW OF A CAR WITH THIS FEW NUMBER OF MI…
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I AM CONCERNED THAT SINCE THIS ENGINE MOUNT FAILED, WHAT ABOUT THE MOUNT ON THE OTHER SIDE? IS THERE A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE? ARE THERE OTHER GOLF OWNERS OUT THERE WHO WILL POTENTIALLY BE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM? IT SEEMS UNBELIEVABLE TO ME THAT AN ENGINE MOUNT COULD FAIL ON THIS NEW OF A CAR WITH THIS FEW NUMBER OF MILES. AM I WRONG IN MY ASSUMPTION? *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****760138
NHTSA ODI #10006512
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2002
Electrical System
WHILE AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF (NOT STALL), THE CAUSE WAS THE POWER SUPPLY RELAY FOR THE DIESEL ENGINE. *YH
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES AND DOUBLE-LAYER FUEL TANKS, TENSION ON THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE TO CRACK WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LEAKING FUEL, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE FOR TENSION, AND INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE FOR CRACKING. IF NECESSARY THE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L VR6 ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE PUBLISHED ON THE LABEL FOR TIRES OF THE SIZE 205/50 R15 86H IS 0.1 BAR (1.45 PSI) TOO LOW. IT SHOULD BE 2.5 BAR (36.3 PSI). THE LABEL RECOMMENDS 2.4 BAR (34.8 PSI = 35 PSI).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALLY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT RISK FOR A CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS, OR A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL IF THE OWNER WISHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 29, 2003. 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 VW AT 1-800-893-5298.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOUND ABSORBING MAT ATTACHED TO THE INSIDE OF THE B-PILLAR SIDE TRIM PANEL COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. SURFACE AND EDGES OF THE MAT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS. IT COULD IGNITE WHEN EXPOSED TO THE EXHAUST GAS OF THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER IGNITER IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE FRONT OR SIDE COLLISION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE MATTING MATERIALS FROM INSIDE THE B-PILLAR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE04079 · Fuel Pump Leaks
Opened Nov 29, 2004 · Closed Apr 19, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004, BASED ON FIVE CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP.BY LETTER OF APRIL 14, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA (VOLKSWAGEN) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 35,000 GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN WOLFSBURG GERMANY FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET.THE RECALLED VEHICLES ARE IN MODEL YEARS 1999 AND 2000 AND ARE EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES.VOLKSWAGEN HAS IDENTIFIED A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE FROM THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (PUMP) TO THE FUEL FILTER MAY COME UNDER TENSION. IN THIS CONDITION THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE CAN CRACK, RESULTING IN A GASOLINE LEAK.VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR TENSION ON THE FUEL LINE AND CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE.IF TENSION IS FOUND IN THE LINE, IT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED LINE.IF THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE IS CRACKED, THE LINE AND THE PUMP WILL BE REPLACED.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V154 FOR DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004, BASED ON FIVE CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP.BY LETTER OF APRIL 14, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA (VOLKSWAGEN) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 35,000 GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN WOLFSBURG GERMANY FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET.THE RECALLED VEHICLES ARE IN MODEL YEARS 1999 AND 2000 AND ARE EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES.VOLKSWAGEN HAS IDENTIFIED A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE FROM THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (PUMP) TO THE FUEL FILTER MAY COME UNDER TENSION. IN THIS CONDITION THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE CAN CRACK, RESULTING IN A GASOLINE LEAK.VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR TENSION ON THE FUEL LINE AND CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE.IF TENSION IS FOUND IN THE LINE, IT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED LINE.IF THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE IS CRACKED, THE LINE AND THE PUMP WILL BE REPLACED.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V154 FOR DETAILS.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004, BASED ON FIVE CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP.BY LETTER OF APRIL 14, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA (VOLKSWAGEN) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 35,000 GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN WOLFSBURG GERMANY FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET.THE RECALLED VEHICLES ARE IN MODEL YEARS 1999 AND 2000 AND ARE EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES.VOLKSWAGEN HAS IDENTIFIED A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE FROM THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (PUMP) TO THE FUEL FILTER MAY COME UNDER TENSION. IN THIS CONDITION THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE CAN CRACK, RESULTING IN A GASOLINE LEAK.VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR TENSION ON THE FUEL LINE AND CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE.IF TENSION IS FOUND IN THE LINE, IT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED LINE.IF THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE IS CRACKED, THE LINE AND THE PUMP WILL BE REPLACED.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V154 FOR DETAILS.
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