RoadVitals

1988 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.
6
Latest Jul 10, 2002
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.
2
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

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet, most frequently naming the fuel system, engine and body & structure categories. 2 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 system450.0%
  • Engine225.0%
  • Body & structure112.5%
  • Suspension112.5%

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

2 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

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

Fuel system
Filed Jul 10, 2002

CONSUMER 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.

NHTSA ID
566566
Engine
Filed Aug 1, 2000

I AM 3RD OWNER OF VEHICLE. THE PREVIOUS OWNERS DIDNT TAKE FAR INFOR RECALL ON GAS TANK. FUEL SMELL UNBEARABLE UNLESS TOP IS DOWN. THEY HAVENT BEEN HELPFUL AT ALL IN REPLACING GAS TANK. RECALL WAS DUE TO BAD WELD IN TOP OF GAS TANKS THAT IS WHY THE SMELL IS UNBEARABLE.

NHTSA ID
9001455
Body & structure
Filed Feb 11, 2000

IN 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

NHTSA ID
718623
Incident
Dec 15, 1999
Fuel system
Filed Jan 14, 2000

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 94V065000 IN REFEENCE TO THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. DALER STATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
854985
EngineFuel systemSuspension
Filed Jun 12, 1998

RECALL WORK NOT COMPLETED ON GAS TANK DUE TO INABILITY TO FIND DEFECT AT TIME OF INSPECTION, HOWEVER GAS TANK FAILED AFTER INSPECTION RESULTING IN LEAKING.

NHTSA ID
536608
Incident
Jan 1, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Feb 27, 1997

OWNER STATES THAT HE SMELLS GAS COMING FROM VEHICLE, HE ALSO NOTES THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL TANK FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT HIS WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, OWNER IS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY.

NHTSA ID
809462

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—
1988Viewing623—
1987113359.9
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.