1996 Volkswagen Cabrio

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Air bags2
2. Engine and engine cooling2
3. Latches/locks/linkages1
4. Power train1
5. Visibility1

Latest complaints

• Mar 17, 2016NM200,000 miCrash1 injury
  Air bags

  Car involved in front end accident and the passenger side airbag deployed but the driver side did not and personal injury was the result, the car was turning left on city street and was struck in right front

• Aug 6, 2001WV
  Power train › Automatic transmission

  Automatic transmission will surge during normal operation. problem occurs more frequently in warmer weather. *note: tranmission was rebuilt by dealership previously for same problem. please provide any additional information/attachments regarding this problem.*ak

• Apr 23, 2001FLCrash1 injury
  Air bags › Frontal
  Upon low speed impact, 5 mph, both front airbags expanded causing minor burns and 'cuts' on passenger in front seat. Since accident on 03-25-01, the dealer has yet to receive the needed replacement air bags-today's date, 04-16-01. In speaking with vwoa's engineering & parts depts, they said do not…

  Upon low speed impact, 5 mph, both front airbags expanded causing minor burns and 'cuts' on passenger in front seat. Since accident on 03-25-01, the dealer has yet to receive the needed replacement air bags-today's date, 04-16-01. In speaking with vwoa's engineering & parts depts, they said do not usually stock item in us and that the airbags responded "correctly" in deceleration mode. Besides the cost of replacing the airbags, the damage to the VW was minimal (scratch on LT ft. Fender & the need to replace the LT. Ft. Side marker). IS there a problem w/these airbags? Should they have gone off @ such a low speed? If so, they could have gone off in hitting a parking garage 'pylon', no? Please inform me asap on why vwoa does not have parts in us! Thank you, [xxx]. *Ak parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6).

• May 19, 2000VA
  Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
  From the time I bought the car the gas mileage was grossly low so everytime I took it in for scheduled service I would have them check out the fuel system nothing was ever done and the gas mileage has never gotten better now I have approx. 42,000Mi on the vehicle and still horrible gas mileage and…

  From the time I bought the car the gas mileage was grossly low so everytime I took it in for scheduled service I would have them check out the fuel system nothing was ever done and the gas mileage has never gotten better now I have approx. 42,000Mi on the vehicle and still horrible gas mileage and no power II thought it was catalytic converter which IS covered under the fed emmissions warranty but when I took it to the dealer they said it was the oxygen sensors which are connected to the catalytic converter I have done some research on these O2 sensors and everything I have read leads me to believe that they were faulty from time of purchase!*ak

• Nov 27, 1998CA
  Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch · Visibility › Windshield

  Windshield scratched.

• Jul 28, 1998SC
  Engine and engine cooling › Engine

  Vehicle leaks gas. Gas leak IS coming from engine area of vehicle. Also vavle gasket was replaced which did not correct problem. Delaers then noted that problem could not be found. *ak

Defect investigations

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.

• Fuel tank puncture

  PE00033Opened Aug 10, 2000Closed Dec 28, 2000

  The office of defects investigation opened this investigation on august 10, 2000 based on 9 reports regarding punctured fuel tanks involving the jetta, passat, and cabrio models.the reports indicate additional reports in its response to the preliminary evaluation.this investigation has been upgraded for further study.

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 10241266Squeaks, Rattles, Noise, Repair Materials
• 10241265Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
• 10239789To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine running and heated rear window switched on. Switch OFF the ignition and visually locate the damage. Proceed with checking any other lines as necessary. Once the damaged line is identified, repair utilizing the Repair kit by Permatex ITEM 09117.
• 10239592Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
• 10239591Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
• 10239590Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
• 10213836Airbag Issues.
• 10159010The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
• 10158533Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. TB updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
• 10157383VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide
• 10155644This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
• 10128105This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, technical bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, updates, and suggestions.
• 10128104This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, ElsaPro infomedia icons grayed out, workshop equipment tool storage application, technical bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, updates, and suggestions.
• 10128055This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests.
• 10127969Data Link connector pin assignment chart that is applicable to all models. Update model year applicability.
• 10126785Update model year applicability to include 2017.
• 10122956Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine running and heated rear window switched on. Switch OFF the ignition and visually locate the damage.
• 10122240Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. This document informs of how to diagnose the issue and tips on servicing the issue
• 10026848Volkswagen: exhaust heat shield, replacement guidelines. Heat shields are to be inspected after completion o any type of repair to the underbody (exhaust system transmission, etc.), and if damaged, replaced.
• 610170Some vehicles may exhibit diagnostic trouble codes p1580 (17988) and p0103 (16487) stored in diagnostic trouble code memory.
• 601876Information on maintenance intervals.
• 53644Conditions regarding exterior door locks cannot be locked or unlocked with key when ambient temperature IS below freezing.
• 53636Concerns with cassette tape player, sound output low or distorted, tapes may be destroyed.
• 53608Subject on the automatic transmission control module can additionally recognize two diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) not currently shown in the repair manual.
• 53603Engine intermittently will not start, possibledtc's stored in tcm dtc memory

Every Volkswagen Cabrio model year

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