Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

Volkswagen CORRADO problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

149 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

120,795 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1989 to 1995 model years. Data updated: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core is the most frequently named component, appearing in 55 of 149 complaints (36.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues96.0%
Braking behavior64.0%
Transmission and shifting32.0%
Engine operation21.3%
Steering behavior10.7%
Fuel system concerns10.7%

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.

Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core
55
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
26
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
9
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6
Seat Belts
6
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
6
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
3
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
3
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core55
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System26
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan9
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine6
Seat Belts6
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System6
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch3
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood3

Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core: 55; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 26; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Seat Belts: 6; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System: 6; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
4
100,000 to 149,999
5
150,000 and above
4
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9994
100,000 to 149,9995
150,000 and above4

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 4

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 135 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.

1995
6
1996
10
1997
12
1998
38
1999
29
2000
16
2001
12
2002
9
2003
5
2004
4
2005
2
2006
1
2009
1
2010
1
2013
1
2017
1
2022
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19956
199610
199712
199838
199929
200016
200112
20029
20035
20044
20052
20061
20091
20101
20131
20171
20221

1995: 6; 1996: 10; 1997: 12; 1998: 38; 1999: 29; 2000: 16; 2001: 12; 2002: 9; 2003: 5; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2013: 1; 2017: 1; 2022: 1

Pattern summary

Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 481127 · 1995-01-25 (January 25, 1995)

DRIVER/PASSENGER'S SHOULDER BELT JAMMED DUE TO WEAR ON SHOULDER BELT TRACK AND ASSEMBLY, CAUSING BATTERY TO SHORT OUT/FAIL. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481127 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 549867 · 1999-12-07 (December 7, 1999)

AFTER RECALL REPAIRS COMPLETED (96V-115 AND 92V-058001), SEVERAL FAILURES DUE TO REPAIR PROBLEMS (FUEL SYSTEM,WIRING, SPEAKERS DAMAGED). *MJS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 549867 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 706179 · 1999-05-03 (May 3, 1999)

G60 ALUMINUM HOUSING WHERE REAR BRAKE OUTLET LINE FROM ABS UNIT LEAKS HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE ABS UNIT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 706179 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 719951 · 2000-03-11 (March 11, 2000)

ON JAN. 13, 2000 I CALLED A 1-8OO# TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA TO ASK FOR AN INVESTIGATOR TO COME AND INVESTIGATE[AS A COURTSEY] WHY ON JAN. 6, 2000 MY 1990 CORRADO WITH 39006 MILES STARTED AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE RUNNING 60 MILES AN HOUR ON AN INTERSTATE. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN 11 MILES ON THE DAY WHEN THE FIRE STARTED. THE POWER AND BRAKING SYSTEMS WERE GONE. THE RETRACTABLE SHOULDER HARNESS AND SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RELEASE. THREE FIRE ENGINES FROM THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS RESPONDED, A CHP STOPPED TO HELP. THERE IS A REPORT THAT STA…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719951 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 543080 · 1998-12-18 (December 18, 1998)

TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN GOING INTO SECOND GEAR.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 543080 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 509334 · 1996-10-01 (October 1, 1996)

COOLANT HOSE BLOWS ROUGHLY EVERY 35, OOO MILES DUMPING COOLANT ONTO HOT RXHAUST MANIFOLD,, PRODUCING EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF HEAT; ALSO DIFFICULTY IN SHIFTING TRANSMISSION, FREQUENT MISSHIFTS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 509334 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 893412 · 2001-08-03 (August 3, 2001)

WHILE DRIVING COOLING FAN BROKE, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND VEHICLE TO STALL OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE WIRES FOR COOLING FAN HAD BEEN MISROUTED AND NEEDED TO BE CHANGED.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 893412 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 852869 · 1999-11-15 (November 15, 1999)

IN OCTOBER 1999 VEHICLE HAD RECALL REMEDY DONE. BUT WITHIN 2,000, ENGINE COOLANT PUMP, WHICH WAS REPLACED DURING RECALL REPAIRS, WAS NOT DESIGED FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT CAUSED PRESSURE IN THE PUMP, CAUSING THE SEALS TO EXPLODE AND WATER TO LEAK ONTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT, RESULTED TIN VEHICLE STALLING WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. COMMON PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER STATED IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, AND THE CONSUMER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE RECALL. THE HEATER CORE RECALL DID NOT REPLACE THE HEATER CORE. A PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE AND…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 852869 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10125088 · 2005-06-13 (June 13, 2005)

DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND A CLOUD OF SMOKE CAME FROM BEHIND STEERING WHEEL. PRIOR TO THIS VEHILCE HAD BEEN RUNNING HOT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A COOLANT FLUSH, AND HAD THE BELT REPLACED AROUND THE FAN. ALSO, HAD A NEW RADIATOR INSTALLED. CONSUMER WAS IN THE CAR 5-10 MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SMOKED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 117,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10125088 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 483288 · 1995-08-28 (August 28, 1995)

FUEL PUMP FAILURE PRIOR TO RECALL, REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO MODEL YEAR (91V-068). *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483288 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1989
2
1990
3
1991
2
1992
3
1993
3
1994
2
1995
1
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
19892
19903
19912
19923
19933
19942
19951

1989: 2; 1990: 3; 1991: 2; 1992: 3; 1993: 3; 1994: 2; 1995: 1

Year-by-year records

Volkswagen CORRADO model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
198902Not available
1990393+1
199172-1
1992503+1
19934830
199442-1
199511-1
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

149 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

9.4%Usable mileage14 / 149 records
83.2%Valid incident date124 / 149 records
100.0%Valid filing date149 / 149 records
83.2%Ordered incident and filing dates124 / 149 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

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 complaint heatmap
Component1989199019911992199319941995
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

717.9%
ODI 10141520 · 124,300 mi

DRIVING ALONG AN INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE HEATER CORE IN MY 1990 VW CORRADO DEVELOPED A MAJOR LEAK ALL OF A SUDDEN, CAUSING VERY HOT COOLANT TO POUR ON MY RIGHT LEG AND FOOT, AND SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO STEAM UP INSTANTLY, CAUSING LOSS OF OUTWARD VISION AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE SIDE OF THE ROAD USING THE "RUMBLE STRIPS", AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. I AM AWARE OF A RECALL ON SOME 1990 VW CORRADOS, BUT ACCORDING TO MY DEALER MY VEHICLE IS NOT WITHIN THE VIN RANGE FOR THIS RECALL, REGARDLESS …

Look up ODI 10141520 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

2856.0%
ODI 10015354

THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FLASHED. THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE, AND AT THAT POINT THE VEHICLE'S CABIN BECAME FILLED WITH STEAM AND HOT RADIATOR FLUID WAS ON THE FLOOR BOARD. IT WAS DETERMINED THE HEATER CORE FAILED. *NLM

Look up ODI 10015354 at NHTSA ↗

1837.5%
ODI 10001427 · 62,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD "POP" NOISE AND VEHICLE FILLED UP WITH STEAM ELIMINATING CONSUMER'S VISIBILITY. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, NARROWLY AVOIDING A COLLISION. TS

Look up ODI 10001427 at NHTSA ↗

250.0%
ODI 10003907 · 90,000 mi

CONSUMER STATES THAT HEATER CORE "EXPLODED" WHILE DRIVING AND STEAM CLOUDED ALL INTERIOR WINDOWS RESULTING IN NO VISIBILITY. THE HEATER CORE EXPLOSION ALSO CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK FROM UNDER DASHBOARD INTO VEHICLE'S INTERIOR. TS

Look up ODI 10003907 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

717.9%
ODI 10057728

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED DASHBOARD COOLANT INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING ENGINE OVERHEATED. WINDOWS BECAME STEAMY, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. RECALL 96V115000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Look up ODI 10057728 at NHTSA ↗

114.3%
ODI 965933

THERE IS OIL IN THE COOLING SYSTEM OIL AND WATER MIX. TT

Look up ODI 965933 at NHTSA ↗

816.0%
ODI 10015535 · 97,000 mi

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM AS STATED IN RECALL 98 V 295 000, BUT THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *NLM

Look up ODI 10015535 at NHTSA ↗

918.8%
ODI 10039421 · 94,500 mi

FAILURE OF HEATER CORE IN 1993 VW CORRADO SLC RESULTING IN A NEAR INSTANTANEOUS FOGGING AND COMPLETE LACK OF VISIBILITY IN THE CAR.

Look up ODI 10039421 at NHTSA ↗

125.0%
ODI 860005

CONSUMER HAD WORK DONE FROM RECALL 98V295000/ COOLANT SYSTEM. FROM PRIOR WORK DONE THE AUXILIARY ELECTRIC COOLANT PUMP BROKE. OWNER PURCHASED A NEW, REDESIGNED PUMP AND INSTALLED IT HIMSELF. *AK *ML

Look up ODI 860005 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

12.6%
ODI 534538

RADIATOR FAN MOTOR IS WORN AND HAS BECOME NOISY AND SEIZING.

Look up ODI 534538 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

816.7%
ODI 515311

ENGINE COOLING FAN FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL,, DRIVER'S VIN NOT INCLUDED AMONG THOSE RECALLED. *AK

Look up ODI 515311 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

12.6%
ODI 10150726 · 150,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEATER CORE LEAKS. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 96V115000, REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Look up ODI 10150726 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

36.0%
ODI 509901

PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR BOLT FELL OUT.

Look up ODI 509901 at NHTSA ↗

12.1%
ODI 536379

CLYINDER HEAD GASKET FAILURES ON EARLY VOLKSWAGON VR6 ENGINES ARE ALMOST GUARNATEED. FAILURE RESULTS IN OVERHEATED ENGINE.

Look up ODI 536379 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 966446

FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS SHEARED OFF ENGINE JUMPED AND BASHED INSIDE OF HOOD. TT

Look up ODI 966446 at NHTSA ↗

Seat Belts
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

615.4%
ODI 481127

DRIVER/PASSENGER'S SHOULDER BELT JAMMED DUE TO WEAR ON SHOULDER BELT TRACK AND ASSEMBLY, CAUSING BATTERY TO SHORT OUT/FAIL. *AK

Look up ODI 481127 at NHTSA ↗

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.

Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

12.6%
ODI 726376

I PURCHASED THIS CAR 3 YEARS AGO AT A MILEAGE OF 109,000. ALL IN ALL I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR FOR MORE THAN 2 AND A HALF WEEKS SINCE I'VE HAD IT AND I HAVE ALREADY SPENT OVER $4000 DOLLARS ON IT. IS THAT FAIR FOR A CAR WITH A PRICE TAG OF 6,000 DOLLARS USED. I'VE SPENT THE REST OF THE 3 YEARS RAISING MONEY TRYING TO FIX ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. I AM A STUDENT WITH A LEMON AND 2 PART-TIME JOBS TRYING TO FIX IT. THESE 2 RECALLS WERE DONE ON CORRADOS WITH VIN NUMBERS WITHIN THE FOLLOWING RANGES: WVW_ _ _50_KK000001 - WVW_ _ _50_LK012692 . MY …

Look up ODI 726376 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

36.0%
ODI 701621

HEATER CORE FAILED WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION; DRIVER AND PASSENGER RECEIVED SEVERE BURNS TO FEET AND LEGS, AND AN ACCIDENT WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED.

Look up ODI 701621 at NHTSA ↗

24.2%
ODI 701679

THIS SERVES AS NOTIFICATION OF AN INCIDENT WHICH I WAS URGED TO REPORT TO THE NHTSA VIA THE CORRADO CLUB OF AMERICA. THE OFFICIAL NHTSA INVESTIGATION NUMBER IS EA98-012. THE INCIDENT WAS NOT REPORTED TO VW OF AMERICA BY MYSELF, BUT PERHAPS BY THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED THE REPAIRS; VW OF SANTA MONICA WHOSE SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT. I WAS NOT CHARGED FOR MAIN PARTS OR LABOR, ONLY MINOR ITEMS SUCH AS GASKETS AND COOLANT. I ONLY HOPE THAT THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL AS THIS OCCURED AT A MOST INC…

Look up ODI 701679 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

25.1%
ODI 508034

THE MOTOR BELTS RETRACT WHEN ENGINE IS SWITCHED OFF, RATHER THAN RETRACTING WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH DUE TO THE CONTACT THAT CONTROLS THE MOTOR BELTS IS NOT SECURE WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR IF IGNITION SWITCH IS WIGGLED. *AK

Look up ODI 508034 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

12.0%
ODI 746917

IGNITION SWITCH AND THE HEATER WERE REPAIR WITH USED PARTS AND STILL FAILED. *AK

Look up ODI 746917 at NHTSA ↗

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:Wiring:Front Underhood
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

12.6%
ODI 724244

$10,000 FIRE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CORRADO WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. NO BRAKES, NO SEATBELT OR HARNESS RELEASE. MY SON AND GRANDSON WERE TRAPPED.THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS GONE.CHP CAME OUT AS WELL AS THREE ENGINE COMPANIES.MY CORRADO WAS GUTTED UNDER THE HOOD AND THE FIRE WENT OUT BETWEEN THE HEADLAMPS AND UNDER THE CAR. *AK

Look up ODI 724244 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

12.0%
ODI 715496

WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF VW IS RESPONSIBLE ON FIXING THE RECALLS AND ANYTHING RELATED TO THEM? NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK

Look up ODI 715496 at NHTSA ↗

12.1%
ODI 857121

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND ENGINE OVERHEATED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMTON.*AK

Look up ODI 857121 at NHTSA ↗

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.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core90,000–124,300 mi123,889 mi5
ODI 10141520 · 124,300 mi

DRIVING ALONG AN INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE HEATER CORE IN MY 1990 VW CORRADO DEVELOPED A MAJOR LEAK ALL OF A SUDDEN, CAUSING VERY HOT COOLANT TO POUR ON MY RIGHT LEG AND FOOT, AND SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO STEAM UP INSTANTLY, CAUSING LOSS OF OUTWARD VISION AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE SIDE OF THE ROAD USING THE "RUMBLE STRIPS", AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. I AM AWARE OF A RECALL ON SOME 1990 VW CORRADOS, BUT ACCORDING TO MY DEALER MY VEHICLE IS NOT WITHIN THE VIN RANGE FOR THIS RECALL, REGARDLESS …

Look up ODI 10141520 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10296053 · 217,758 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO. THE HEATER CORE FAILED WHILE DRIVING. HE NOTICED STEAM EMITTING FROM THE VENTS AS WELL AS COOLANT ON THE WINDSHIELD. HE REFERENCED RECALL 96V115000 AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE IN 1998. HOWEVER, IN 2009, THE PART FAILED AGAIN. HE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE THIS TIME AND REFERRED HIM TO THE MANUFACTURER. WHEN HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, HE WAS TOLD THAT SI…

Look up ODI 10296053 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10001427 · 62,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD "POP" NOISE AND VEHICLE FILLED UP WITH STEAM ELIMINATING CONSUMER'S VISIBILITY. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, NARROWLY AVOIDING A COLLISION. TS

Look up ODI 10001427 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling SystemToo few reports for a range97,000 mi3 (sparse)
ODI 10015535 · 97,000 mi

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM AS STATED IN RECALL 98 V 295 000, BUT THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *NLM

Look up ODI 10015535 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10125088 · 117,700 mi

DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND A CLOUD OF SMOKE CAME FROM BEHIND STEERING WHEEL. PRIOR TO THIS VEHILCE HAD BEEN RUNNING HOT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A COOLANT FLUSH, AND HAD THE BELT REPLACED AROUND THE FAN. ALSO, HAD A NEW RADIATOR INSTALLED. CONSUMER WAS IN THE CAR 5-10 MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SMOKED. *AK

Look up ODI 10125088 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10039421 · 94,500 mi

FAILURE OF HEATER CORE IN 1993 VW CORRADO SLC RESULTING IN A NEAR INSTANTANEOUS FOGGING AND COMPLETE LACK OF VISIBILITY IN THE CAR.

Look up ODI 10039421 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineToo few reports for a range150,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10150726 · 150,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEATER CORE LEAKS. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 96V115000, REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Look up ODI 10150726 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

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.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

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.

Equal-age model-year comparison

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.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

1994: 1 complaints · 1995: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
1994001
1995111
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
1994400
1995100

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.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentVisibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater CoreEngine And Engine Cooling:Cooling SystemEngine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:FanEngine And Engine Cooling:EngineSeat BeltsVisibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac SystemElectrical System:Ignition:SwitchElectrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core—
5
ODI 866946

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH, ALL OF SUDDEN THERE WAS SMOKE IN VEHICLE. VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE HEATER CORE WAS CHANGED. VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN 96V115000 VW/ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Look up ODI 866946 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 539093

COOLANT LEAK CAUSING OVERHEATING.

Look up ODI 539093 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 702869

HEATER CORE ALREADY REPLACED ONCE. CAR ON THIRD WATER PUMP, ALSO SECOND OF COOLANT HOSES AFTER THEY BLEW UP.COOLANT BEING FORCED FROM EXPANSION TANK EVERY DAY. VEHICLE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE OVERHEATING, JUST TOO MUCH PRESSURE IN COOLING SYSTEM. NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO FIX PROBLEM AT VARIOUS VW DEALERSHIPS HAS GOT NOWHERE WITH PROBLEM. VOA SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL THAT THEY KNOW OF, EVEN AFTER I PROVIDED THEM WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 98V295000. PLEASE HELP! *AK

Look up ODI 702869 at NHTSA ↗

0000
1
ODI 746917

IGNITION SWITCH AND THE HEATER WERE REPAIR WITH USED PARTS AND STILL FAILED. *AK

Look up ODI 746917 at NHTSA ↗

0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
5
ODI 866946

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH, ALL OF SUDDEN THERE WAS SMOKE IN VEHICLE. VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE HEATER CORE WAS CHANGED. VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN 96V115000 VW/ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Look up ODI 866946 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 539093

COOLANT LEAK CAUSING OVERHEATING.

Look up ODI 539093 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 702869

HEATER CORE ALREADY REPLACED ONCE. CAR ON THIRD WATER PUMP, ALSO SECOND OF COOLANT HOSES AFTER THEY BLEW UP.COOLANT BEING FORCED FROM EXPANSION TANK EVERY DAY. VEHICLE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE OVERHEATING, JUST TOO MUCH PRESSURE IN COOLING SYSTEM. NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO FIX PROBLEM AT VARIOUS VW DEALERSHIPS HAS GOT NOWHERE WITH PROBLEM. VOA SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL THAT THEY KNOW OF, EVEN AFTER I PROVIDED THEM WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 98V295000. PLEASE HELP! *AK

Look up ODI 702869 at NHTSA ↗

—000000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan00—00000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine000—0000
Seat Belts0000—000
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System00000—00
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
ODI 746917

IGNITION SWITCH AND THE HEATER WERE REPAIR WITH USED PARTS AND STILL FAILED. *AK

Look up ODI 746917 at NHTSA ↗

00000—0
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood0000000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

4 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

2 mentions · 1.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 893412

WHILE DRIVING COOLING FAN BROKE, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND VEHICLE TO STALL OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE WIRES FOR COOLING FAN HAD BEEN MISROUTED AND NEEDED TO BE CHANGED.*AK

Look up ODI 893412 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 852869

IN OCTOBER 1999 VEHICLE HAD RECALL REMEDY DONE. BUT WITHIN 2,000, ENGINE COOLANT PUMP, WHICH WAS REPLACED DURING RECALL REPAIRS, WAS NOT DESIGED FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT CAUSED PRESSURE IN THE PUMP, CAUSING THE SEALS TO EXPLODE AND WATER TO LEAK ONTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT, RESULTED TIN VEHICLE STALLING WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. COMMON PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER STATED IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, AND THE CONSUMER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE RECALL. THE HEATER CORE RECALL DID NOT REPLACE THE HEATER CORE. A PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE AND…

Look up ODI 852869 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 0.7% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 896307

THERE WAS SOME FUEL LEAKAGE COMING FROM VEHICLE, IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL RAIL AND CAUSING A FUEL SMELL, DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL LINES. *SLC

Look up ODI 896307 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Oil consumption or dilution

1 mentions · 0.7% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 538275

ENGINE CYLINDER BLOCK CONSUMED OIL AND AN OVERHAUL WAS DONE AT 49000 MILES.

Look up ODI 538275 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(oil consumption|burn\w* oil|consum\w* oil|oil dilution|gas(?:oline)? in (?:the )?oil)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 0.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 190,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11490158 · 190,000 mi

The contact owns 1993 Volkswagen Corrado. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, he heard an abnormal popping sound. The contact then saw a significant amount of smoke coming through the front of the dashboard. The contact stated that he lost visibility of the surrounding of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that coolant was leaking onto the driver's side floorboard. Additionally, coolant was leaking onto the ground on the passenger's s…

Look up ODI 11490158 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b