Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
11 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
170,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 11 complaints (72.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 54.5% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 8 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core | 1 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 1 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 8; Steering: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core: 1; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 1
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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1999 | 3 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
1996: 1; 1997: 1; 1999: 3; 2001: 3; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2010: 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 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 provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH ITS FUEL TANK AS STATED IN RECALL # 94V065000; BUT, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024749 at NHTSA ↗
RECALL REPAIRS FOR FUEL TANK LEAKAGE REFUSED SINCE VEHICLE WA SPREVIOUSLY INSPECTED AND NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND 41/2 YEARS AGO (94V-065). *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 509357 at NHTSA ↗
1 NORMAL DRIVING 2 LOWER BEARING OF THE STEERING COLUMN FALLS FROM BEARING RACE, CREATES HAZARDOUS STEERING 3 A PLASTIC BEARING RETAINER IS THE FACTORY REPLACEMENT AND THIS BRAKES CAUSING THE FAILURE. REPLACEMENT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10329430 at NHTSA ↗
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
11 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 10041769 · 141,200 miFUEL LEAKS FROM TOP OF TANK WHEN TANK IS FULL OR OVER 1/2 FULL... PREVIOUS RECALLS OF THIS CAR AND THOSE SIMILAR LIST PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO WHAT I'M EXPERIENCING. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF ADVANCED AGE OF VEHICLE, RECALLS ARE NOT BEING ACKNOWLEDGED BY DEALERS OR COMPANY. AUTO IS A 1986 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIOLET. *LA | 872.7%ODI 10024749 · 170,000 miVEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH ITS FUEL TANK AS STATED IN RECALL # 94V065000; BUT, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK | 350.0%ODI 566566CONSUMER HAS CONCERNS OVER THE VEHICLES FUEL TANK LEAKING AT THE TANK SEAM. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS SUBJECT TO TWO (2) RECALLS (91V201 AND 94V065). CONSUMER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONTACT ANY ONE FOR MAKING THE REPAIRS ON THE FUEL TANK. | 777.8%ODI 10039870FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER WILL FIX AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. *PH TWO RECALLS WERE ISSUED RELATED TO THIS FAILURE, 94V-065000 AND 91V-201000. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE ISSUED. *NLM | 337.5% |
| Air Bags | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 450.0%ODI 10032015CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER 91V215000 CONCERNING THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO SEND ANOTHER LETTER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE AIR BAG DEFECT HAS OCCURRED. *AK THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH MEANT THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF A COLLISION. *PH *JB |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1100.0% | 116.7% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 19.1%ODI 703973THE FRONT A ARM HAS TENDENCY TO BECOME WEAKENED AND DEVELOP A CRACK ON A POOR WELD SEAM UNDERNEATH THE CAR | 116.7%ODI 718623IN DEC. 1999 THE FRAME OF MY WIFE LANETTE PARKS CABRIOLET WAS CRACKING AND SPLITTING WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT OR ABNORMAL DRIVING EVENT TO CAUSE IT. THE FRAME SHOP INFORMED ME THAT THEY SEE THIS QUITE OFTEN ON VW RABBITS, GOLFS AND CABRIOLETS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THE FRAME. APPARENTLY THEY ADDED A METAL SUPPORT BAR BETWEEN THE TWO FRONT WHEELS THAT VW INCLUDES ON THE SPORTY GTI MODELS, BUT ELIMINATES ON THE CABRIOLET. WHY THIS IS DONE IS BEYOND ME, THE ONLY REASON I CAN THINK OF IS TO SAVE MONEY ON MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 222.2%ODI 10098476 · 75,839 mi1989 VW CABRIOLET FUEL TANK HAS DEFECTIVE SEAM WELD IN FUEL TANK AS DOCUMENTED IN CAMPAIGN # 94V065000. TANK HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED, YET VW SAYS THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 813845THE HEATER CORE HAS FAILED AND IS LEAKING, AND MAKING THE CAR HARDER TO STOP. *AK | 19.1%ODI 560478THE HEATER CORE EXPLODED ONTO THE CONSUMERS LEGS, THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED BURNS TO BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT CALVES, DUE TO THE PAIN OF THE HOT STEAM THE CONSUMER WAS FORCED OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS STILL MOVING AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE HIT A CONCRETE EMBANKMENT (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT). NLM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 979375WHILE DRIVING, AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY, DUE TO AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT MALFUNCTIONED, DLR/MFR WON'T ASSIST. TT |
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 116.7%ODI 488787ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS TO OPERATE WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS/DASH LIGHTS TO DIM UNTIL REACHING SPEEDS GREATER THAN 5 MPH. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 700502ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMOBILE: LEFT INDICATOR LIGHT NOT WORKING, HORN BROKEN, BACK - UP LIGHTS NOT WORKING, CLUTCH/TRANSMISSION NEEDS WORK (TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL), ALL LOCKS BROKEN... | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | Too few reports for a range | 170,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10024749 · 170,000 miVEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH ITS FUEL TANK AS STATED IN RECALL # 94V065000; BUT, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK |
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1989: 1 complaints · 1990: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1990 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| 1990 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | Steering | Structure:Frame And Members | Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core | Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 1ODI 703973THE FRONT A ARM HAS TENDENCY TO BECOME WEAKENED AND DEVELOP A CRACK ON A POOR WELD SEAM UNDERNEATH THE CAR |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 703973THE FRONT A ARM HAS TENDENCY TO BECOME WEAKENED AND DEVELOP A CRACK ON A POOR WELD SEAM UNDERNEATH THE CAR | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
1 patterns with matching reports.
1 mentions · 9.1% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
CONSUMER HAD FOUND A CRACK ON FUEL TANK AFTER SMELLING FUEL, AND FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM TANK. TANK HAD TO BE REPAIRED. CURRENTLY, CONSUMER HAD FOUND OUT ABOUT RECALL 94V065000 WHICH DEALT WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. *AK
\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b