1997 Volkswagen CABRIO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
92,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 10 complaints (10.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 30.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 30.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 20.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 1; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2005: 2; 2008: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10031417 · 2003-08-15 (August 15, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE GAS TANK CRACKED. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK. WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE, GASOLINE SPILLED ONTO THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY FOR SAFETY. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031417 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046905 · 2003-11-13 (November 13, 2003)
THE CONVERTIBLE TOP RIPPED OPEN ON THE SEAM WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10046905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10129197 · 2005-07-18 (July 18, 2005)
1-2) I FOUND THE FOLLOWING RECALL FOR THE VW JETTA. THE DEFECTIVE HAZARD AND TURNSIGNAL PORTION OF THE RECALL HAS HAPPENED TO MY 1997 VW CABRIO HIGHLINE SINCE 2001 GETTING WORSE EACH YEAR. SEE BELOW, RECALL DATED DECEMBER 24, 2004. I HAVE NOT HAD A CONSEQUENCE DUE TO THIS, BUT I WOULD IMAGINE THAT MY CAR COULD BE HIT FROM BEHIND WITHOUT HAZARDS OR TURNSIGNALS. 3) I TOOK MY CABRIO IN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN 2003 TO REQUEST HELP WITH DEFECTIVE HAZARD AND TURNSIGNALS AND THEY CHARGED ME FOR LABOR TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. IT WAS NOT IDENTIFIED AND TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10129197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10137429 · 2005-09-23 (September 23, 2005)
CAR: 1997 VW CABRIO: AT 92.890 MILES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON. VW DETERMINED, THIS WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CLOCKSPRING (RESISTANCE TOO HIGH). AIRBAG IS NOT FUNCTIONING WITHOUT CLOCKSPRING. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10137429 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10214882 · 2008-01-15 (January 15, 2008)
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 VW TODAY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IT TURNS OUT IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PART ASSOCIATED WITH THE CARS IGNITION SWITCH AND THAT IT IS WELL KNOWN AND COMMON FAILURE WITH THIS CAR. I CALLED VW HEAD QUARTERS AND SPOKE TO A CUSTOMER ADVOCATE ABOUT THIS AND THEY…
Owner-reported narrative. 169,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10214882 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10512283 · 2013-05-15 (May 15, 2013)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10512283 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719629 · 2000-03-03 (March 3, 2000)
MY VEHICLES ACCELERATOR CLIMBED FROM 55 MPH TO 95 MPH AND I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR FOR 15 MINUTES.IT COST ME APPROX $200 TO GET MY CAR "FIXED" AND I WANT THE DEALER TO REIMBURSE ME. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719629 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 730775 · 2000-09-08 (September 8, 2000)
THE ABS SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON, IT WAS SAID TO BE A BAD SENSOR ON THE LEFT REAR WHEEL AND WAS REPLACED. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON AGAIN INTERMITTENTLY. THE WARRENTY HAD EXPIRED AND I HAVE NOT TAKEN CARE OF THE PROBLEM AS YET.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 730775 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.