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NHTSA recalls, safety ratings, and consumer complaints for the 2001 Volkswagen GTI.
| Trim | City | Hwy | Combined | Annual fuel $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4 cyl Automatic 4-spd | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,150 |
| 1.8L 4 cyl Manual 5-spd | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,900 |
| 2.8L 6 cyl Manual 5-spd | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,850 |
NHTSA has not published 5-star crash-test ratings for the 2001 Volkswagen GTI. New vehicles are often added to the NCAP rating program after initial release; check nhtsa.gov/ratings for the latest status.
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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: 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.
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
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: 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.
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
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.
The 2001 Volkswagen GTI has 2 NHTSA recalls and 74 consumer complaints on file. The high number of complaints suggests potential reliability concerns — review the complaint details above before purchasing. For the most detailed information about a specific vehicle, decode its VIN using our free decoder above.
Enter a specific VIN to get the full report — specs, recalls, safety ratings, complaints, investigations, and technical service bulletins.
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
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
HAVE POTENZA G 019 GRID TIRES MADE BY BRIDGESTONE,,,AS THEY WEAR THEY KEEP GETTING LOUDER AN LOUDER,,,I HAVE DONE EVERY THING BY HERE TIRE BOOK,,,AND STILL THEY ARE LOUD,,,READ SOME OF THE REVIEWS ON TIRE RACK.COM ITS CRAZY. *TR
THE COIL PACK FAILS, I HAVE REPLACED IT TWICE AND NO MATTER WHAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON IN NO TIME AT ALL AND IT'S COIL PACK FAILURE, WHICH ALSO TRIGGERS OTHER SENSORS LIKE THE COOLANT SENSOR WHICH I HAVE REPLACED AS WELL. I THINK THE LONGEST TIME MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF WAS 3 WEEKS! THIS CAR COSTS A FORTUNE TO FIX AND IT'S NEVER FIXED. *TR
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
I HAVE A 2001 VW GTI AND MY SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS WRONGFULLY DEPLOYED. I RECEIVED MINOR DAMAGE TO MY REAR RIM FROM A STREET CURB THAT CAUSED MY AIRBAGS TO WRONGFULLY DEPLOY. I WAS NOT IN A COLLISION, NOR IN SERIOUS DANGER, ALTHOUGH WHEN MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED I WAS FRIGHTENED AND VEERED TO MY LEFT LANE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IN THAT LANE, BUT I COULD HAVE RECEIVED MAJOR INJURIES. *TR
I BOUGHT A PAIR OF AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHTS FROM A MEMBER ON EBAY FOR MY 2001 VW GTI. I BOUGHT THESE HEADLIGHTS FROM A SELLER . I HAVE RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THESE HEADLIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND FOGLIGHT (WHICH IS INCORPORATED INTO THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING) IS TURNED ON IT WILL CAUSE THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT TO MELT BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I DO BELIEVE THESE ARE UNSAFE AND COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO AN ELECTRICAL FIRE; HOWEVER, AFTER SEVERAL EMAILS. HE HAS NOT RESPONDED TO ME. I'VE GONE AND DONE MY RESEARCH AND OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME KIND OF PROBLEMS WITH THESE LIGHTS. THEY ARE MANUFACTURED BY DEPO FOR FK AUTOMOTIVE, AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THIS SELLER IS AND AUTHORIZED DEALER OF THESE HEADLIGHTS. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE I CAN GO. PLEASE HELP ME OUT. *TR
2001 VW GTI BOUGHT USED. AT 79,000 MILES HAD 80K SERVICE DONE AT DEALERSHIP WHICH INCLUDED CHECKING TIMING BELT. AT 82,000 TIMING BELT BROKE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO ENGINE. NEEDED TO REPLACE ENGINE COST ME $5300 IN WHICH VW WOULD NOT PAY FOR AS WARRANTY ONLY COVERS ORIGINAL OWNER. VW CLAIMS BELT IS SUPPOSED TO LAST 105,000 MILES. AFTER RESEARCHING ON INTERNET, NUMEROUS CLAIMS FOR ALL 1.8T ENGINES REGARDING THE TIMING BELT GOING WELL BEFORE 105,000. *TR
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
ABS AND ASR SYSTEMS HAVE FAILED - EACH HAS ITS OWN DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT, WHICH IS ON. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS: FAULTY ABS CONTROLLER/PUMP MODULE, $1,025 TO REPAIR. VW HAS AN ABS RECALL, #02V031000, WHICH COVERS 2000-2002 NEW BEETLE, GOLF/GTI, JETTA. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. *TR
THE HEATED LEATHER SEATS IN MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GTI VR6 "OVERHEAT" AND BURNT THE SEAT MATERIAL. I OFTEN TURNED OFF THE HEATERS AS I FELT THEY WERE GETTING TOO HOT. THE HEATERS RUINED THE SEAT MATERIAL WHICH I HAD TO REPLACE. *TR
Showing 15 of 74 complaints