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1997 Volkswagen CabrioProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 14 owner complaints about the 1997 Volkswagen Cabrio, most often about the electrical system. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints142 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage169kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 15, 2013. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Volkswagen Cabrio has problems

14 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system42
Engine and engine cooling20
Vehicle speed control20
Exterior lighting10
Air bags10
Service brakes, air10
Structure10
Tires10
Fuel system, gasoline10
2 other systems21

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1997 Volkswagen Cabrio recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Cabrio year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cabrio median. How we score

'91'92'93'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Volkswagen Cabrio, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL TANK PUNCTUREPE00033 · closed Dec 28, 2000
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cabrio owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

IGNITION SWITCH FAILS TO RETURN FROM STARTER POSITION -- BURNING OUT STARTER. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH 1997 A4 BUT WAS NEVER REPORTED/CARRIED OVER TO THE 1997 CABRIOLET. ALSO, KEY-IN-IGNITION-STATUS MAINTAINED EVEN AFTER KEY REMOVED FROM IGNITION CAUSING BATTERY TO RUN DOWN. *TR
Complaint 10512283 · May 15, 2013 · 75,000 miles
WHILE DRIVING MY VW CABRIO HOME LAST NIGHT THE HIGHLIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS, HEATER FAN AND RADIO ALL SUDDENLY WENT OFF AND THE ABS FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND THE LIGHTS SUDDENLY CAME BACK ON AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE LAST FEW MILES HOME. I SPOKE TO A SERVICE MANAGER AT…
Complaint 10214882 · Jan 15, 2008 · 169,000 miles
I'M NOT SURE IF THIS FALLS WITHIN YOUR AREA OR RESPONSIBILITY. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE A TWO YEAR OLD VEHICLE PURCHASED BRAND-NEW, SHOULD HAVE BOTH THE ALTERNATOR AND RADIATOR FAN MOTOR FAIL SO SOON. I THOUGHT THIS MAY BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ANY…
Complaint 710814 · Sep 1, 1999

Own a 1997 Cabrio?

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