2 recalls and 74 owner complaints on record for this model year.
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Decode a VINAlmost all of this describes the model year, not the individual car. Nothing here can tell you about this vehicle’s mileage, accidents or ownership — no identifier encodes those.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
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.
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.
Published by model year, not by VIN — may not apply to this vehicle, or may already have been done. Confirm with a dealer.
REVISED/UPDATE: ORIGINAL COMPLAINT 10222650 3-29-08. AS PER TIRE FORENSICS SPECIALIST RIGHT REAR TIRE HAS 2 NAIL PUNCTURES LIKELY PICKED UP ON THE FREEWAY, UNFORESEEN. HE SAID THAT DUE TO PUNCTURES,SLOW TO FAST PRESSURE CHANGES, THE TIRE HEATED UP, INNER SIDEWALL DE-VULCANIZED. SO MY TIRE FLATTENED, CAR LOST CONTROL, FISHTAILED ACROSS FWY, I COLLIDED WITH BIG RIG AND EVENTUALLY CAME TO STOP ON SHOULDER. DO TIRE MANUFACTURES TEST FOR THESE POSSIBILITIES FOR TIRES THEY MARKET? IF NOT, WHY NOT? IT IS ALMOST INEVITABLE FOR ANY NUMBER OF CAR TIRES TO PICK UP UNFORESEEN OBJECTS THAT COULD PUNCTURE THEM. IS THIS A DESIGN FLAW OR EQUIPMENT MATERIAL ISSUE IN AS MUCH AS THE INNER SIDE WALL AND OUTER SIDE WALL OF THIS PARTICULAR MODEL OF TIRES IS VERY DIFFERENT IN THEIR COMPONENT STRUCTURE?? PLEASE RESPOND. *TR
CAR ACCIDENT POSSIBLY CREATED/CAUSED BY FULL/COMPLETE INNER SIDE WALL SEPARATION OF TIRE FROM ITSELF. *TR
Today is 11/05/2025 incident happened yesterday evening 11/04/2025 The driver airbag in the steering wheel auto deployed when I started the car I went to step out from my car while it was warming up and barley turning the steering wheel the airbag exploded with my arm still on the wheel hitting and fracturing my ulna bone n causing a burn that was so instant n hot it burnt through my skin causing more damage to my nerves and tissue im having the car inspecting and is available upon request I took pictures and documented everything immediately there still in no warning lamp on and never has been on displaying it needs to be inspected.. but after it deployed the dash light still remains off so I don’t know if it even deactivated the system like it should’ve done with a airbag deploying this just happened yesterday so nothing has been inspected yet this is my first report it makes safety issues cause it deployed out of nowhere when car was parked I just turned the key over it could’ve deployed when I was driving causing a serious accident or death and it broke my ulna bone that alone is serious more I can’t go back to work pry my bills raise my 5yr old until this fracture heals.. this not only if a serious safety our it’s a serious situation off what do I even do now car showered not warning signs of anything and still don’t even display that it’s srs bag deployed
IN MY 2001 GTI GLX VR6 THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT, HEATS UP SO MUCH THAT IT BURNS MY LEGS, ACTUAL RED BURN MARKS! EVEN IF TURNED DOWN TO THE LOWEST SETTING THE SEAT WILL BURN ME. I KNOW IN MY FRIENDS 2002 JETTA THEY HAD THEIR HEATER IN THE SEAT REPLACED BY VW FOR THE SAME ISSUE FREE OF CHARGE. I HAVE BEEN TO VW AND THEY SAY IT'S NOT COVERED. I WANT TO USE THE HEATED SEAT BUT NEVER TRUST IT TO NOT BURN ME. *TR
DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT BURNED A HOLE THROUGH SEAT COVER AND MY PANTS, WAS ABLE TO TURN THE SWITCH OFF WITHOUT CRASHING. VOLKSWAGEN SAYS I CAN PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR AS THE ITEM IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY APPARENTLY AS MY CAR IS A 2001, NEWER MODELS WITH SAME SEATS ARE COVERED. I WILL BE LOOKING AT REPAIRING IT MYSELF IF NOT COVERED. *JB
DT: WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR LEFT TIRE WENT FLAT. THERE WAS A NAIL IN THE TIRE, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE FLAT TIRE. ALSO THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO COLLISION AND THE VEHICLE DIDN'T SWERVE. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURY, SHE HAS A BURN ON HER UPPER ARM. VEHICLE WAS A VOLKSWAGEN, GTI, 2001. SHE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING; SHE WOULD HAVE TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE MANUFACTURER. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE DONE UNDERNEATH OF THE VEHICLE.*AK
I WAS REAR ENDED IN NOV 2003. MY CAR WAS PUSHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO SIGNAL THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I DID NOT FIND THIS OUT UNTIL AFTER THE ACCIDENT WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE SIGNAL HAD GOTTEN SCRAMBLED AND LOST. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. IN APR 2005, DURING MY 60K SERVICE I WAS TOLD THAT MY AIRBAG RESISTANCE WAS SET TOO HIGH AND THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALER SAID THIS REPAIR WOULD COST $1000 IN PARTS PLUS THE LABOR WHICH IS INTENSIVE. I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR FAULTY SAFETY EQUIPMENT, ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS IS NOT THE FIRST PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG.
SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY COLLISION OR REASON. *AK
STEERING IS HAVING PROBLEMS. WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE GEARS ON A TURN, VEHICLE LOCKS UP. HAD NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND IT RAN OFF THE ROAD. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT VEHICLE PULLS SHARPLY. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATED FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED THROUGH THE PASSENGERS JACKET. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS NO LONGER UTILIZING THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION AND THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECURRED SINCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000. REMAILED 05/12/11*LJ
ON THE MORNING OF 27 APRIL 2007, I STARTED MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GTI 1.8T. THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING VERY ROUGH AND DID NOT SOUND NORMAL. I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS COLD. AT THIS POINT IT BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND DROVE DOWN THE ROAD. APPROXIMATELY A MILE OR TWO DOWN THE ROAD I CAME TO A STOP SIGN AND AFTER STOPPING AND THEN PROCEEDING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION MY VEHICLE SEEMED LIKE IT HAD LITTLE OR NO POWER TO THE ENGINE. AT THIS POINT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING SO I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF MY ENGINE. I THEN OPENED MY HOOD AND SMOKE POURED OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AT THIS POINT I CHECKED MY OIL TO SEE IT IT SMELT BURNT WHICH IT DID NOT. I THEN CHECKED MY COOLANT LEVEL AND IT WAS FULL AND WASN'T EVEN WARM. I THEN HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE DIAGNOSED MY VEHICLE AND TOLD ME THAT 1 OF THE 4 COILS IN MY ENGINE HAD STOPPED WORKING AND HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THAT'S WHAT HAD CAUSED THE SMOKE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. HE ALSO SAID THE ALL FOUR NEED TO BE REPLACED OR THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. AT THIS POINT ALL FOUR COILS WERE REPLACED AND THE OLD ONES WERE GIVEN TO ME TO KEEP AS PROOF THAT THE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE. *JB
IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED THREE TIMES. FAILURE OF IGNITION SWITCH PREVENTS NORMAL FUNCTIONING OF MANY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. THIS PROBLEM IS A FIRE HAZARD. OVERHEATING OF THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY MELTS PLASTIC HOUSING AND DAMAGES INSULATION AND CONDUCTOR OF WIRES CONNECTED TO THE SWITCH. PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHEN DRIVING LIGHTS (I.E. HEADLAMP SWITCH PULLED OUT) ARE ON. NO PROBLEM OCCURS WITH DRIVING LIGHTS OFF. PROBLEM MAY BE CAUSED BY INADEQUATE SWITCH DESIGN. DEALER SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE ENTIRE DASH WIRING HARNESS, WHICH WAS UNACCEPTABLE DUE TO COST. OWNER REPAIRED DAMAGED WIRE WITH VOLKSWAGEN REPAIR KIT AND REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH, AND NO LONGER USES DRIVING LIGHTS. PHOTOS OF FAILED SWITCH AVAILABLE.
THE CAR, A 2001 VW GTI 1.8T, WAS BEING DRIVEN AT LOW (RESIDENTIAL STREET -- 25 MPH OR LESS) SPEEDS AND MADE A RIGHT TURN. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL PROBABLY GRAZED THE CURB, OR POSSIBLY HIT A POTHOLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE CAR LOST POWER, POSSIBLY DUE TO THE ENGINE STALLING (IT'S A MANUAL) THOUGH THAT'S NOT CERTAIN. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE CAR AND THEY CONFIRM THERE IS NO DAMAGE OTHER THAN THE (SUBSTANTIAL!) DAMAGE OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NOBODY IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND TRAFFIC WAS MINIMAL SO NO ONE WAS INJURED. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH A CURB OR POTHOLE HIT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ENOUGH TO CAUSE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE CAR HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE, LESS THAN 60,000, AND HAS BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH WHEN HE ABRUPTLY TURNED THE WHEEL TO AVOID A CRASH. THE CONTACT DROVER OVER A POTHOLE AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A MANUFACTURE RING DEFECT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
2001 VW GTI PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INADVERTANTLY DEPLOYED. SIDE SEAT AIRBAG AND HEADLINER DEPLOYED. DASHBOARD AIRBAG DID NOT. NO ACCIDENT OCCURED. DEPLOYMENT WAS WHEN CAR WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, STRAIGHT ROAD, NO BUMPS, NO TURNS, NO POTHOLES, NO DEBRIS ON ROAD, NO IMPACT WITH ANYTHING. NO IDEA WHY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
Filed by owners of this model year and unverified by NHTSA — one person’s account, not an established fact.