The primary risk of driving a Volkswagen with a coolant problem is overheating. This means that while you’re driving, the engine gets too hot and can suffer serious damage. Without the right amount of coolant in the system, the engine will overheat and eventually cause the head gasket to blow, leading to severe engine damage. Additionally, a coolant leak can cause expensive components like the radiator and water pump to fail. Finally, if you don’t have the right amount of coolant in the system, your engine won’t be able to properly regulate its temperature, leading to more consistent overheating.