Volkswagen Cabrio Problems by Year
NHTSA has 162 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file for the Volkswagen Cabrio, across 8 model years (1995–2002). The 2001 model year has the most complaints (38). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Volkswagen Cabrio years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Cabrio year: 2001. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2001 Cabrio: 38 complaints, 1 recall
- 1999 Cabrio: 29 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2002 Cabrio: 23 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 1996 Cabrio: 6 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1997 Cabrio: 14 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1995 Cabrio: 15 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Volkswagen Cabrio problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 38 | 7 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 27 | 8 | 3 |
| Visibility | 22 | 6 | 2 |
| Air Bags | 19 | 8 | 12 |
| Power Train | 18 | 7 | 2 |
| Structure | 18 | 7 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 15 | 5 | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 15 | 7 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| Equipment | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Tires | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Suspension | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Wheels | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Volkswagen Cabrio model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Cabrio | 23 | 0 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2001 Cabrio | 38 | 1 | — | Visibility | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 Cabrio | 16 | 1 | — | Power Train | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 1999 Cabrio | 29 | 0 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 1998 Cabrio | 21 | 1 | — | Structure | More complaints than other years |
| 1997 Cabrio | 14 | 0 | — | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 1996 Cabrio | 6 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 1995 Cabrio | 15 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Fewer complaints than other years |
More from Volkswagen: all Volkswagen models · Volkswagen VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Volkswagen Cabrio years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2001 (38) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Cabrio year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Volkswagen Cabrio?
Electrical System, with 38 complaints across 7 model years.
How many recalls does the Volkswagen Cabrio have?
2 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.