The Lemon Index2001 Volkswagen Golf.
The 2001 Volkswagen Golf is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 92 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 278, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 22 to 33 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Golf year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 190 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Volkswagen Golf year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 35K to 90K miles on the car (120 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 32K–100K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 34K–102K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 39K–88K miles
Recalls 9
- engine 2014
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 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.
Show all 9 recalls
- brakes 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 EQUI…
- lights 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.
- lights 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 SUBSTANTI…
- equipment 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 IDENT…
- brakes 2002
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).
- suspension 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Volkswagen told dealers about
Volkswagen sent dealers 234 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Subject regarding coolant leaking from coolant reservoir bottle wiring connector contaminates…
- Ignition coil overlay harness, installing
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedEngine stalling2005
- ClosedTurn signal/hazard flasher failure2004
- ClosedInadvertent side-airbag deployment2004–2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2850–3600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl, 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Air bag light stays illuminated on dash panel after vehicle is started and is moving. Dealr has been contacted.
2001 Volkswagen Golf owner · NHTSA complaint 883035
More owner reports
Airbag sensor light stays illuminated while vehicle is in motion. Dealer has inspected vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 877589
Passnger side collision at 15 mph, airbag did not deploy. No injuries, damage to vehicle unknown.
NHTSA complaint 8010646
Quick answers
Is the 2001 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.8× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 278; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Volkswagen Golf year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2001 Volkswagen Golf problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (24%), electrical (22%) and engine (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Volkswagen Golf have?
9 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Volkswagen Golf get?
22 to 33 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Volkswagen Golf problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 35,000 and 90,900 miles. The middle report was at 59,900 miles, from 120 complaints.
Does the 2001 Volkswagen Golf have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2001 Volkswagen Golf cost in fuel a year?
About $2850 to $3600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Volkswagen Golf have?
1.8L 4-cyl, 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Volkswagen Golf year is better than the 2001?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2020 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works