Model year guide

2001 Volkswagen Golf

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2001 Volkswagen Golf is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 13 on record.

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

2001 Volkswagen Golf at a glance

Safety recalls9
Owner complaints131
Combined27 mpg
Typical price$1,650

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2001 Volkswagen Golf recalls 9

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine NHTSA Campaign #14E007000 · 07/03/2014

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use i…

Fix: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #09E025000 · 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #07V063000 · 20/02/2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

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 O…

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #04V584000 · 16/12/2004

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.

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder NHTSA Campaign #07E023000 · 29/03/2007

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Fix: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm NHTSA Campaign #00V280000 · 20/09/2000

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRACKET AND IF THE WELDING IS INSUFFICIENT, WILL REPLACE THE CONTROL ARM.

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…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip NHTSA Campaign #02V031000 · 31/01/2002

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2001 Volkswagen Golf common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 131 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

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.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

2001 Volkswagen Golf MPG & running costs

Combined27 mpg
City25 mpg
Highway32 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,742

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2001 Volkswagen Golf worth?

Low
$850
Typical price
$1,650
High
$2,900

From 13 comparable 2001 Volkswagen Golf listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

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

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,710
Fuel only$13,710
Per mile$0.18

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.

2001 Volkswagen Golf trims & engines on record

Trims
GLS · GLS 1.8T · GL · GLS TDI
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 115 hp · 1.8L 4-cyl 150 hp · 1.9L 4-cyl 90 hp

2001 Volkswagen Golf vehicles on record

Other Volkswagen Golf model years

2001 Volkswagen Golf — frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Volkswagen Golf have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls for the 2001 Volkswagen Golf. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

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

Based on 131 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, electrical system, visibility.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Volkswagen Golf get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2001 Volkswagen Golf at about 27 mpg combined (25 city / 32 highway).

How much is a 2001 Volkswagen Golf worth?

Comparable 2001 Volkswagen Golf listings run roughly $850–$2,900, typically around $1,650 (from 13 vehicles).

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