RoadVitals

1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest May 8, 2010
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Apr 8, 1994
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet, most frequently naming the fuel system, visibility and body & structure categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system866.7%
  • Visibility216.7%
  • Body & structure18.3%
  • Steering18.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
94V065000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Apr 8, 1994
7,500 units potentially affected
The defect: A CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK ADJACENT TO A SEAM WELD IN THE REAR OF THE TANK.
The risk: FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACKED FUEL TANK WHICH COULD CATCH FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE VEHICLE WITH A SPECIALLY DESIGNED TOOL FOR THE PRESENCE OF A TANK CRACK, AND REPLACE THE FUEL TANK IF THE DEFECT IS PRESENT.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov
91V201000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Nov 18, 1991
51,000 units potentially affected
The defect: A CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK ADJACENT TO A SEAM WELD IN THE REAR OF THE TANK.
The risk: FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACKED FUEL TANK WHICH COULDCATCH FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The remedy: CHECK VEHICLE WITH A SPECIALLY DESIGNED TOOL FOR THE PRESENCE OF A FUEL TANK CRACK, AND REPLACE FUEL TANK IF DEFECT IS FOUND.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov
87V053000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Apr 14, 1987
278,520 units potentially affected
The defect: FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE FUEL TANK, COULD SEIZE DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF AN EXTREME FINE MESH FUEL FILTER RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW.
The risk: FUEL SUPPLY TO ENGINE WOULD BE PARTIALLY INTERRUPTED,RESULTING IN STALLING.
The remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA91054ClosedEngineering Analysis

HEATER CORE FAILURE

Opened Dec 9, 1991
Closed Jun 12, 1992

There is no summary currently available

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEMLed to recall 92V050000
EA91016ClosedEngineering Analysis

GAS TANK LEAKS

Opened Feb 28, 1991
Closed Nov 27, 1991

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 91V201000
PE91007ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

GAS TANK LEAKS

Opened Oct 29, 1990
Closed Feb 28, 1991

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 11
Steering
Filed May 8, 2010

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

NHTSA ID
10329430
Incident
May 6, 2010
Fuel system
Filed Jun 23, 2003

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

NHTSA ID
10024749
Mileage
170,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 20, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING FUEL TANK CRACKED, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID
8016770
Incident
Jul 16, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Jun 2, 2001

I HAVE HEARD THAT THE FUEL TANKS ON THESE VEHICLES HAD A RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
746286
Visibility
Filed Mar 23, 2001
1 injury reported

THE 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

NHTSA ID
560478
Incident
Aug 10, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Jan 29, 2001

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

NHTSA ID
879250
Incident
Apr 1, 1997
Fuel system
Filed Dec 17, 1999

UNABLE TO DRIVE AUTOMOBILE BECAUSE GAS RAN OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND SPILLED ALL OVER THE MANIFOLD. *AK

NHTSA ID
854124
Incident
Nov 15, 1999
Fuel system
Filed Oct 14, 1999

I BROUGHT THIS CAR TO THE DEALER FOR WORK ON A LEAKING FUEL TANK AND AFTER MUCH TALKING WITH THE DEALER AND VW OF AMERICA WAS ABLE TO CONVINCE THE DEALER THAT THE WORK SHOULD BE DONE UNDER A RECALL (YOUR CAMPAIGN NUMBER EITHER 91V201000 OR 94V065000) THE DEALER ALSO FOUND THAT THE INTERNAL FUEL PUMP WAS BAD AND IT WAS REPLACED AT MY COST. I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA AND THEY SAY THAT THIS DOES NOT FALL UNDER A RECALL YET I HAVE A CAMPAIGN NUMBER FOR THIS VERY THING THAT COVERS A MORE FAR REACHING NUMBER OF VEHICLES (87V053000). I WOULD NOT BE QUESTIONING VW OF AMERICA ON THIS BUT I PROBABLY WENT THROUGH 6 PEOPLE BEFORE I FOUND ONE INDIVIDUAL WHO AGREED THAT THIS SHOULD BE FIXED UNDER A RECALL NOTICE ON THE FUEL TANK. IT SEEMS I NEED TO REACH A CERTAIN LEVEL OF PERSONNEL BEFORE ANY ACTION THAT IS SATISFACTORY IS DONE. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ANY ASSISTANCE.....

NHTSA ID
713289
Incident
Oct 1, 1999

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

0101

SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING LATCH SYSTEM LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN, INSTALLING / RETROFITTING. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Cabriolet by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1990841—
1989923—
1988623—
1987Viewing113359.9
1986311—
1985611—
1984100—
1983000—
1982000—
1981000—
1980000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.