Major Problems with Volkswagen Cabrio Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used Volkswagen Cabrio to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

Custom-fit Add-ons

Torque wrench
Mechanic tool set
Tool box

Best and Worst Years for Volkswagen Cabrio

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of Volkswagen Cabrio.

Model Year	Complaints
2002 Cabrio	16
2001 Cabrio	25
2000 Cabrio	10
1999 Cabrio	21

Worst 3 Volkswagen Cabrio complaints

2002 Volkswagen Cabrio SEATS Victims: 2

2001 Volkswagen Cabrio FRONTAL Victims: 2 Mileage: 136000 miles

2001 Volkswagen Cabrio GASOLINE Victims: 1

Browse Volkswagen Cabrio complaints by category

Problems with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS and DOOR are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Volkswagen Cabrio owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM the trunk light was inoperative. *jg on one occasion the passenger power lock had become inoperative and on another occasion	7 ~ 57619 miles
POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS > VISIBILITY to whom it may concern: in march 2003 my wife and i purchased a new 2000 volkswagen cabrio convertible. when...	6 ~ 65186 miles
DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE the trunk light was inoperative. *jg on one occasion the passenger power lock had become inoperative and on another occasion	6 ~ 62886 miles
AIR BAGS airbag system in vw cabrio failed (failure warning light came on) just after vehicle had passed warranty period. volkswagen of...	4 ~ 48000 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL while driving the vehicle suddenly accelerated very rapidly without the gas pedal being touched. the car was put into neutral...	4 ~ 46500 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING my 2002 vw carbrio overheated and caused the engine to blow. only after the engine blew and my car could...	4 ~ 34560 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS vehicle hit rear of a trailer at 20-30 mph. upon impact neither air bag deployed. vehicle bursted into flames several	4 ~ 76500 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC tl*the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen cabrio. while driving approximately 45 mph the contact pushed on the brakes to stop...	3 ~ 29667 miles
SEATS i was driving home from a weekend away i was on i95 north near mile marker 120.00 traveling about 15-20mph...	3 ~ 58875 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING tl*the contact owns a 2001 volkswagen cabrio. the manufacturer stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id...	2 ~ 45500 miles
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN tl*the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen cabrio. while driving 60 mph the clutch failed. the contact pulled off the freeway...	2 ~ 94300 miles
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM vehicle first sufferred serious power and ignition problems one rainy day. on taking the car to the dealer we were...	2 ~ 28000 miles
INFLATOR MODULE > DRIVER SIDE > FRONTAL driver's airbag did not deploy with an impact of 30-35 miles per hour and $6 000 damage to the front	2
INTERIOR/UNDER DASH > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM to whom it may concern: in march 2003 my wife and i purchased a new 2000 volkswagen cabrio convertible. when...	2
EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the emissions light constantly stayed on the dealer serviced the problem 3 times however the problem continued to occur the	2 ~ 33000 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER car will not start at seemingly random times. car either has to be towed to dealership or in some instances...	2
RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT convertible top accumulating some kind of black substance that hardens and cannot be removed. at the three year mark the...	2 ~ 34500 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN i purchased a cabrio 2000 from joe heidt in ramsey new jersey the car did not start one morning it...	2 ~ 14000 miles
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING vehicle was involved in a rear end fender bender at 25 mph accident caused a fire in the in engine...	2
STRUCTURE beige convertable top discoloring and deterating. tearing around rear window and turning a rust color....	2 ~ 36000 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC i had owned the vehicle for exactly one month when the a/c began to not work. i sent it in...	2 ~ 36000 miles
VISIBILITY tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen cabrio. on august 29 2017 the vehicle was taken to the dealer (david...	1 ~ 44375 miles
GLASS, SIDE/REAR > VISIBILITY 2002 volkswagen cabrio. consumer states the rear window fell out *tgw the consumer stated it appeared her model year was	1
STEERING this has actually happened several times with this car. when i hit a patch of water the steering wheel locks...	1 ~ 128000 miles
SUSPENSION i have a 2001 volkswagen cabrio which vw does not make anymore and this is probably why. the car is...	1 ~ 134000 miles
SWITCH > HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING function of turn signals and hazard lights on my 2001 volkswagen cabrio has been degrading over time. both systems are...	1 ~ 70000 miles
HUB > FRONT > SUSPENSION tl* the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen cabrio convertible. the contact stated while driving at 50 mph the rear passengers...	1 ~ 105000 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC on most volkswagens (and some audi's) that were built between the years 1998 to 2002 it appears that the abs...	1 ~ 83000 miles
TIRES i have had 5 tires fail on me in a 6 months period they have either been blow outs and...	1 ~ 116 miles
MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN manual transmission in 2000 vw cabrio went bad sept. 05 replaced car garaged for winter driven very little approx 15oo...	1 ~ 70000 miles
EQUIPMENT i was changing tires and the brake pads of 2001 vw cabrio using vw issued jack the jack collapsed because...	1 ~ 46400 miles
ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT > MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT i was changing tires and the brake pads of 2001 vw cabrio using vw issued jack the jack collapsed because...	1 ~ 46400 miles
FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM my car's electrical system started to fail two weeks ago. the directionals interior lights all exterior lights and heater did...	1 ~ 42100 miles
MODULE > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM my car's electrical system started to fail two weeks ago. the directionals interior lights all exterior lights and heater did...	1 ~ 42100 miles
SWITCH > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM my car's electrical system started to fail two weeks ago. the directionals interior lights all exterior lights and heater did...	1 ~ 42100 miles
REAR WINDOW > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY my car's electrical system started to fail two weeks ago. the directionals interior lights all exterior lights and heater did...	1 ~ 42100 miles
SWITCH > TURN SIGNAL > EXTERIOR LIGHTING my car's electrical system started to fail two weeks ago. the directionals interior lights all exterior lights and heater did...	1 ~ 42100 miles
CONTROL MODULE > ANTI-THEFT > IGNITION my car's electrical system started to fail two weeks ago. the directionals interior lights all exterior lights and heater did...	1 ~ 42100 miles
FLASHER UNIT > TURN SIGNAL > EXTERIOR LIGHTING my car's electrical system started to fail two weeks ago. the directionals interior lights all exterior lights and heater did...	1 ~ 42100 miles
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING multiple problems with rear tail lights. check engine light keeps coming on but dealer could not find anything wrong.*ak...	1 ~ 51000 miles
CRUISE CONTROL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL multiple problems with rear tail lights. check engine light keeps coming on but dealer could not find anything wrong.*ak...	1 ~ 51000 miles
TAIL LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING multiple problems with rear tail lights. check engine light keeps coming on but dealer could not find anything wrong.*ak...	1 ~ 51000 miles
WHEEL BEARING > FRONT > SUSPENSION the consumer stated while traveling out of town she heard a noise. the consumer took the vehicle to a dealer...	1 ~ 55192 miles
MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT to whom it may concern: in march 2003 my wife and i purchased a new 2000 volkswagen cabrio convertible. when...	1
ANTI-THEFT DEVICES > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT to whom it may concern: in march 2003 my wife and i purchased a new 2000 volkswagen cabrio convertible. when...	1
12V/24V/48V BATTERY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM battery literally exploded upon turning the ignition key. *la...	1 ~ 32000 miles
TIE ROD ASSEMBLY > LINKAGES > STEERING the tie rod broke which caused the left wheel to wobble.*jb...	1 ~ 21000 miles
POWER STEERING FLUID > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING vehicle was involved in a collision with a parked car vehicle rolled over. dealer notified. please provide additional information. ph...	1 ~ 25000 miles
WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY consumer stated that while driving at any speed and without warning the front or rear windows would fail and stick	1
FRONT > SEAT BELTS the vehicle was involved in an accident and the driver's seat belt failed to lock up. the driver was forced	1 ~ 17000 miles
SEAT BELTS convertible top accumulating some kind of black substance that hardens and cannot be removed. at the three year mark the...	1 ~ 36000 miles
LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES convertible top accumulating some kind of black substance that hardens and cannot be removed. at the three year mark the...	1 ~ 36000 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING while driving at 10mph on a flat surface engine had stalled and caused an accident. dealer notified.*ak...	1
INTERIOR LIGHTING the trunk light was inoperative. *jg on one occasion the passenger power lock had become inoperative and on another occasion	1
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1) due to vandalism the convertible top was replaced by a reputable shop. i used the power top once after...	1 ~ 33000 miles
ANTI-THEFT DEVICE > COLUMN LOCKING > STEERING passenger's side windows go up and down intermittently. vehicle locks without prior warning and alarm systems are not operable. *ak...	1
BUCKLE ASSEMBLY > FRONT > SEAT BELTS seat belt on passenger's side does not have a buckle. buckle on the passenger's side is missing. dealership has been	1
RETRACTOR > FRONT > SEAT BELTS front passenger's side seat belt will not release. consumer has to make all passengers sit in back of vehicle. please	1
ROOF AND PILLARS > BODY > STRUCTURE the convertible top has too much cloth which obstructes the rear view almost causing a crash. please provide further information.	1
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT i had owned the vehicle for exactly one month when the a/c began to not work. i sent it in...	1
WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM vehicle hit rear of a trailer at 20-30 mph. upon impact neither air bag deployed. vehicle bursted into flames several	1
PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE) > CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN when depressing clutch pedal it will get stuck on vehicle rug. please provide further information.*ak...	1
SEAT HEATER/COOLER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS heated seats do not work properly. *slc...	1

FAQ

What year Volkswagen Cabrio is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 4 years, Volkswagen Cabrio models of 2000, 2002, 1999 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for Volkswagen Cabrio?

Volkswagen Cabrio models of 2001 and 1999 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

Torque wrench

EPAuto 1/2-inch Drive Click Torque Wrenc...
- Durable Ratchet Head: Made from Hardened treated Chrome Vanadium steel alloy (Cr-V) Corrosion-Retardant: Satin Finish. Made in Taiwan
- Easy Storage: A sturdy plastic storage case is included. Non-Slip Grip: Knurled handle
- Easy to Read: High...
LEXIVON 1/2-Inch Drive Click Torque Wren...
- PRECISE - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
- DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat-treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
- LONGEVITY -...
LEXIVON 1/2-Inch Drive Click Torque Wren...
- PRECISION - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
- DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
- LONG-LASTING...
LEXIVON 3/8-Inch Drive Click Torque Wren...
- PRECISION - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
- DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
- LONG-LASTING...
LEXIVON Inch Pound Torque Wrench 1/4-Inc...
- PRECISION - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
- DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
- LONG-LASTING...
TEKTON 3/8 Inch Drive Micrometer Torque ...
- Includes 1-pc. 3/8 in. drive torque wrench; Storage case; Product manual with torque conversion chart
- Wrench emits a click that can be heard and felt when the preset value is reached
- Permanently marked, high-contrast dual-range...

Mechanic tool set

Crescent 180 Pc. Professional Tool Set i...
- The Crescent Professional Tool Set has a newly designed 72T quick release ratchet
- Carefully selected assortment of hand tools for most industrial, mechanical, and consumer applications
- Get incredible access from combination wrenches with narrow heads,...
Craftsman Mechanic Tool Set, 215 Piece, ...
- MINIMAL ARCH SWING: 72-tooth 1/4 in. and 3/8 in. Drive Ratchets produce a 5-degree arc swing. Ideal balance between access and durability.
- VERSATILE: Comprehensive set of 1/4 in., 3/8 in. Drive Sockets and Drive Tool...
Craftsman Mechanic Tool Set, 230 Piece w...
- TACKLE A VARIETY OF PROJECTS: Complete automotive jobs and general mechanic fixes with this heavy-duty, 230-piece all-in-one mechanic tool set
- OPEN AND CLOSE THE DRAWERS WITH ONE HAND as you work with a spring-loaded locking...
DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set, 1/4" & 3/8" &...
- 72 tooth count ratchet providing a 5 degree arc swing for maneuverability in restricted areas
- Anti-slip driver handle provides maximum comfort
- Housed in a durable carrying case with metal latches
- Full-polish chrome for corrosion resistance
DEWALT Mechanics Tools Kit and Socket Se...
- Socket sets include 72 tooth count ratchets which allow for a 5 degree arc swing for maneuverability in restricted areas
- Ratchets include a low profile directional lever to help reduce catch points and for easy...
Amazon Basics Mechanic's Tool Set with C...
- Mechanic tool kit and socket set for tackling multiple sizes and types of fasteners, especially nuts and bolts
- Includes a 201-piece set that combines most popular sockets, wrenches, hex keys, and screwdriver bits
- Both metric...

Tool box

TUFFIOM 8-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest w/Lo...
- LARGE STORAGE CAPACITY: The rolling tool chest is designed with 8 drawers and 1 bottom cabinet for storing tools, small equipment or other objects. And the bottom cabinet features side hooks for hanging tools like...
beyond by BLACK+DECKER BLACK+DECKER BDST...
- Sturdy + Stackable: Durable Auto-Lock Latches Make Connecting These Stackable Units Quick And Easy
- Quick Access: The Quick-Release On The Locking Latch Allows You To Easily Separate Each Module When Stacked For Quick Access To...
BIG RED ANTBD133-XB Torin 20" Portable 3...
- Heavy duty tool box is made of thick steel, with powder coat red paint finish, beautiful and easy to clean
- Measures 20.5" L x 8.5" W x 12" H, and is equipped with 3 drawers...
DEKOPRO 228 Piece Socket Wrench Auto Rep...
- HIGH QUALITY&STANDARDS:Forged from high-quality steel and finished in high-polish chrome,strength, durability, anti-corrosion protection.All the tools meet or exceed ANSI critical standards
- COMPLETE VARIETIES:Contains tools needed for most small repairs and basic DIY projects around the...
Torin 17-Inch Plastic Tool Box,3-Tiers M...
- Tough metal latches are solid and easy to open and close, with long use life
- Foldable three-tier tray provides you with more storage space and you can separate metric and imperial tools to take them...
CARTMAN 148 Piece Automotive and Househo...
- Comprehensive Tool Set: The Cartman 148-Piece Tool Kit includes all the crucial tools needed for everyday home repairs and maintenance, from cutting to tightening, measuring to hammering.
- Durable and Corrosion-Resistant: All tools in the kit...