Model year guide

2001 Volkswagen Cabrio

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 12 on record.

2001 Volkswagen Cabrio — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2001 Volkswagen Cabrio at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints38
Combined22–24 mpg
Typical price$1,271

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2001 Volkswagen Cabrio recalls 1

Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual NHTSA Campaign #02V244000 · 12/09/2002

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.

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 …

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2001 Volkswagen Cabrio common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2001 Volkswagen Cabrio MPG & running costs

Combined22–24 mpg
City21 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,925
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume82 cu ft
Cargo volume8 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$2,625 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio worth?

Low
$800
Typical price
$1,271
High
$1,800

From 12 comparable 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,625
Fuel only$14,625
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 129

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 129.

Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards

Bulletin V171901201285565 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2023

Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

Bulletin V171901201285562 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2023

Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

Bulletin V171901201285560 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2023

Update model year applicability to include 2023.

Bulletin V941901201152119 · Equipment · Dec 2022

Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.

Bulletin V271901201189422 · Electrical System · Dec 2022

Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)

Bulletin V171901201285534 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2021

Tool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1A

Bulletin V871806201994714 · Equipment · May 2020

Update vehicle metadata.

Bulletin V871812-2005566 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility, Equipment · Jun 2019

The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.

Bulletin SM 33-2019 · Equipment · Mar 2019

Alternative method for radio code retrieval.

Bulletin TT 91 19 01 · Equipment, Electrical System · Mar 2019

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CABRIO. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Volkswagen Cabrio

The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car/small family car (C-segment) produced by the German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen since 1974, marketed worldwide across eight generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates – including as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada, and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico (Mk1). The Golf is Volkswagen's bestseller and the third best-selling automobile of all time, with over 37 million units sold worldwide.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2001 Volkswagen Cabrio trims & engines on record

Trims
GLX · GLS · GL
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 115 hp

2001 Volkswagen Cabrio vehicles on record

2001 Volkswagen Cabrio 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio GLS3VWCC21V41M805943 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX3VWDC21V21M817304 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX3VWDC21V31M811124 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX3VWDC21VX1M805207 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio GLS3VWCC21V41M807739 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX3VWDC21V41M814047 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio GLS3VWCC21V81M807405 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX3VWDC21V51M811383 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX3VWDC21V41M807146 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX3VWDC21VX1M807295 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio GL3VWBC21V51M813271 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio GLS3VWCC21V01M802697

Other Volkswagen Cabrio model years

2002 2000 1999 1998

2001 Volkswagen Cabrio — frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio?

Across all 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are visibility, electrical system, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio get?

The 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio has U.S. EPA estimates of 22–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

How much is a 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio worth?

Comparable 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio listings run roughly $800–$1,800, typically around $1,271 (from 12 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.