Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
80–25K
1725–50K
950–75K
975–100K
7100–150K
1150K+
51 reports with mileage · 23 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.
Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports3 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
74 reports
32,500 miles · Jan 26, 2005
Air Bags
TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER AFTER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TOLD THE ON BOARD COMPUTER SAYS FAULT CODE 00591 FOR DRIVER'S BELT SWITCH RESISTANCE BEING TOO HIGH, WHICH IS DUE TO BROKEN WIRING IN BELT SWITCH HARNESS IN DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE. I WAS TOLD THIS COULD LEAD TO AIRBAG NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY IN THE CASE OF A COLLISION.…
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TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER AFTER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TOLD THE ON BOARD COMPUTER SAYS FAULT CODE 00591 FOR DRIVER'S BELT SWITCH RESISTANCE BEING TOO HIGH, WHICH IS DUE TO BROKEN WIRING IN BELT SWITCH HARNESS IN DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE. I WAS TOLD THIS COULD LEAD TO AIRBAG NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY IN THE CASE OF A COLLISION. I BELIEVE FAILURE OF THE WIRING IN THE BELT SWITCH HARNESS IS PROBABLY DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW/MANUFACTURING FAULT SINCE IT IS A RELATIVELY NEW CAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10107926
93,126 miles · Oct 19, 2004
Electrical System
FIVE OF THE 6 ENGINE CYLINDERS WERE MISFIRING SO THE VEHICLE FAILED THE STATE EMISSION TEST. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE IGNITION COILS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY DIDN'T INDICATE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE COILS. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THERE A RECALL ON THIS PART ON THIS MODEL BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DID…
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FIVE OF THE 6 ENGINE CYLINDERS WERE MISFIRING SO THE VEHICLE FAILED THE STATE EMISSION TEST. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE IGNITION COILS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY DIDN'T INDICATE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE COILS. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THERE A RECALL ON THIS PART ON THIS MODEL BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE RECALL.(NOT FOUND IN ARTEMIS). *JB
NHTSA ODI #10097150
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2004
Power Train
THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE. I DROVE MY 2001 VW GTI INTO WORK ON WED SEPTEMBER 8, 2004 WITHOUTH ANY PROBLEMS. IN THE AFTERNOON WHEN I WAS GOING OUT TO GET LUNCH (ABOUT NOON) I TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR AND I COULDN'T PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. IF I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE GEARS WOULD GRIND AND SCREECH AND …
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THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE. I DROVE MY 2001 VW GTI INTO WORK ON WED SEPTEMBER 8, 2004 WITHOUTH ANY PROBLEMS. IN THE AFTERNOON WHEN I WAS GOING OUT TO GET LUNCH (ABOUT NOON) I TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR AND I COULDN'T PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. IF I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE GEARS WOULD GRIND AND SCREECH AND IF I TRIED TO PUT IT IN ANY OTHER GEAR (1-5) I WAS NOT ABLE TO. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE VW DEALERSHIP AND AM NOW FACED WITH A $1,900 BILL TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH. THE CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE A CLUTH NOW.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10090758
5 miles · Sep 7, 2004
Electrical System
IGNITION COIL FAILED ON MY 2001 VW GTI VR6. THIS FAILURE ALSO TRIGGED OXYGEN SENSOR, COOLANT SENSOR, MAF SENSOR AND ECU TO FAIL. AS MENTIONED ABOVE ENGINE MISFIRES, A FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, REDUCED POWER AND BUCKING ARE ALL SYMPTOMS OF A FAILED IGNITION COIL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10090585
64,000 miles · Aug 20, 2004
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior Lighting
I BOUGHT A VOLKSWAGEN GTI 1.8T IN 2001. IT HAD NUMEROUS FAILURES ON ME. IGNITION COIL FAILURE, WINDOW COLLAPSED SUDENTLY, SHIFT IS STUCK IN PARKING, CATALYST CONVERTER FAILURE, REAR BRAKE PADS WORNED OUT VERY FAST WHILE THE FRONT PAD WAS LIKE NEW. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN VOLKSWAGEN. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS HORRIBLE…
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I BOUGHT A VOLKSWAGEN GTI 1.8T IN 2001. IT HAD NUMEROUS FAILURES ON ME. IGNITION COIL FAILURE, WINDOW COLLAPSED SUDENTLY, SHIFT IS STUCK IN PARKING, CATALYST CONVERTER FAILURE, REAR BRAKE PADS WORNED OUT VERY FAST WHILE THE FRONT PAD WAS LIKE NEW. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN VOLKSWAGEN. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS HORRIBLE. ALLLTHEIR RESPONSES WERE THIS IS NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY, IT'S NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ETC. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10088252
40,256 miles · Jun 23, 2004
Exterior Lighting
PREMATURE BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE: AFTER 41K MILES THE BRAKE SWITCH STARTED TO FAIL AND BURNED OUT MY BRAKE LIGHTS. A COLLEGUE SAW THAT I WAS DRIVING WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS AND WARNED ME. VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE HAD NO RECALL IN THE COMPUTER EVEN I KNOW THAT THE BEETLE HAS ONE GOING ON AND IS USING THE SAME PART. NO INJURIES,…
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PREMATURE BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE: AFTER 41K MILES THE BRAKE SWITCH STARTED TO FAIL AND BURNED OUT MY BRAKE LIGHTS. A COLLEGUE SAW THAT I WAS DRIVING WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS AND WARNED ME. VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE HAD NO RECALL IN THE COMPUTER EVEN I KNOW THAT THE BEETLE HAS ONE GOING ON AND IS USING THE SAME PART. NO INJURIES, NO CRASHES BUT I FEEL THAT DRIVING WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS ENDANGERED ME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10078677
21,000 miles · Jun 14, 2004
Air BagsInjury
SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY COLLISION OR REASON. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10075367
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2004
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT A WIRE BURNT OUT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE WIRE. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10076007
58,500 miles · Mar 30, 2004
Electrical System
IGNITION COIL FAILED AT 30 MONTHS. $636 REPAIR TERMED NORMAL MAINTENANCE BY VOLKSWAGEN. MASSIVE REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM IN PROCESS FOR FAILED COILS ON OTHER MODEL YEAR GTIS AND SAME MODEL YEAR WITH DIFFERENT ENGINE, NONE OF WHICH HELPS YOU IF YOU OWN A 2001 GTI VR6. CAR HAS ALSO SUFFERED MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR FAILURE, 2 POWER WIN…
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IGNITION COIL FAILED AT 30 MONTHS. $636 REPAIR TERMED NORMAL MAINTENANCE BY VOLKSWAGEN. MASSIVE REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM IN PROCESS FOR FAILED COILS ON OTHER MODEL YEAR GTIS AND SAME MODEL YEAR WITH DIFFERENT ENGINE, NONE OF WHICH HELPS YOU IF YOU OWN A 2001 GTI VR6. CAR HAS ALSO SUFFERED MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR FAILURE, 2 POWER WINDOW FAILURES, 2 BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURES WITH RELATED INOPERABLE CRUISE CONTROL, BODY WEATHER STRIPPING QUICKLY DEVELOPED HOLES, FAILED GLOVE COMPARTMENT LIGHT MODULE, REAR CUPHOLDER FAILURE. I'VE LOST COUNT OF DEALER SERVICE VISITS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10064173
36,972 miles · Feb 27, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE/ABNORMAL WEAR WITH JUST 36972 MILES ON MY 2001 VW GTI.*AK
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, 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER FUNCTION.
Remedy: 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.
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
2
PE04081 · Inadvertent SIDE-AIRBAG Deployment
Opened Dec 16, 2004 · Closed Apr 1, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window
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 SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT UNIQUE IN BEING SUBJECT TO SUCH ALLEGATIONS.THE COMPLAINT RATE FOR NON-SUBJECT INDIVIDUAL MODEL VEHICLES VARIES WIDELY.THE RATE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS COMPARABLE TO THREE PEER MODELS, EACH WITH COMPACT CHASSIS/WHEELBASES.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY COMPONENT FAILURE OR MANUFACTURING TREND THAT MAY RELATE TO A COMPONENT OR MANUFACTURING ISSUE.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
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 POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.
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 POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.
Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights
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 POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:flasher Unit
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 POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
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 POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.
2001 Volkswagen Gti Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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