VehicleVerdict

2001 Volkswagen Golf engine problems

The 2001 Volkswagen Golf has 24 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 16% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

24

Engine complaints

16%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Golf engine complaints by model year34 complaints1985: 2 complaints1987: 1 complaints1988: 1 complaints1989: 9 complaints1991: 1 complaints1993: 2 complaints1994: 2 complaints1995: 7 complaints1996: 15 complaints1997: 4 complaints1998: 6 complaints1999: 16 complaints2000: 14 complaints2001: 24 complaints2002: 14 complaints2003: 1 complaints2004: 4 complaints2005: 3 complaints2006: 2 complaints2007: 1 complaints2009: 1 complaints2010: 16 complaints2011: 26 complaints2012: 11 complaints2013: 14 complaints2014: 2 complaints2015: 30 complaints2016: 19 complaints2017: 18 complaints2018: 3 complaints2019: 34 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 1 complaints2022: 24 complaints2023: 2 complaints
Golf engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

14E007000EngineMarch 7, 2014 · 50 units

Defect

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Consequence

A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

What owners report

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 10, 2001

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2001 Volkswagen Golf have?

NHTSA has 24 complaints about the 2001 Volkswagen Golf engine — 16% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2001 Volkswagen Golf engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 14E007000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.