2001 Volkswagen Golf engine and engine cooling problems
23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 2001 Volkswagen Golf — 20% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Vw dealer performed 2nd required timing belt/water pump change at 154626 miles, 5400 earlier than required, at approx 183600 miles, 30k miles later water pump failed upon removal of water pump found plastic impeller slipping / not attached to metal drive shaft. As a result of the failed water pump…”
filed Dec 31, 2009
“Experience two exhaust system failures on two different 01 tdi vw golfs. Experienced separation the of the exhaust pipe/down pipe assy at the weld of the cat exit. One car with 179800 miles and the other with 73000 miles. As a result a strong exhaust smell was noticed in the cabin during city…”
filed Oct 14, 2009
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
V171901201285565 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 21, 2023Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
V171901201285562 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2023Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
V171901201285560 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 24, 2023Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
V171901201285534 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 11, 2021
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other Golf years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Golf | 14 | 17% |
| 2016 Golf | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 Golf | 3 | 2% |
| 2011 Golf | 11 | 10% |
| 2010 Golf | 9 | 13% |
| 2004 Golf | 4 | 14% |
| 2003 Golf | 1 | 4% |
| 2002 Golf | 13 | 18% |
| 2000 Golf | 13 | 15% |
| 1999 Golf | 16 | 25% |
| 1995 Golf | 4 | 9% |
| 1994 Golf | 2 | 5% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2001 Volkswagen Golf
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.