1990 Volkswagen Corrado Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1990 Volkswagen Corrado, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine1123.4%
- Visibility1021.3%
- Seat belts919.1%
- Electrical48.5%
- Fuel system36.4%
- Brakes36.4%
- Other / unspecified24.3%
- Transmission24.3%
- Body & structure12.1%
- Steering12.1%
- Driver assistance12.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH WITH THE DEFROSTER ACTIVATED WHEN EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF STEAM BEGAN TO EMIT THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK COMING FROM THE HEATER CORE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V115000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM) BUT THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
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.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, NO ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 217,762. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 217,758.
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 OF THE FACT MY VEHICLE USES THE SAME FAULTY HEATER CORE AS THE ONES THAT ARE COVERED BY THE RECALL. THE DEALER WILL NOT AGREE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *NM
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT STOP WORKING, IT STUCK IN THE OUT POSITION, WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO POSITION. LEAVING PASSENGER UN PROTECTED IN AN ACCIDENT. NLM
VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO PAY FOR SEATBELT DUE TO "AGE AND MILES" AND "OUTSIDE INFLUENCES." THERE ARE SEVERAL CORRADO OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, THEREFORE SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE EXISTS THAT INDICATES A DEFECT. I AM REQUESTING BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELTS TO BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER, FREE OF CHARGE.*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
$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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 CORRADO HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AND NEED THE SAME PARTS REPLACES AND DESPITE THIS VW DOES NOT WANT TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER FURTHER. PLEASE HELP ME, CAUSE I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO. *AK
AFTER RECALL REPAIRS COMPLETED (96V-115 AND 92V-058001), SEVERAL FAILURES DUE TO REPAIR PROBLEMS (FUEL SYSTEM,WIRING, SPEAKERS DAMAGED). *MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 STATES WELL INVOLVED VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FIRE WHICH INCLUDED FORM OF HEAT. I WAS TOLD I HAD TO MANY MILES ON MY CAR.I BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY CAR FOR SEVEN YEARS OR SEVENTY THOUSAND MILES.ALL RECALLS THAT WE EVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF WERE TAKEN IN FOR RECALL CHECKS. MY WINDSHIELD HAD A FLAT SPOT IN IT THAT I COULD NEVER GET THEM TO EXCHANGE.THE WIPERS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY.JUST BEFORE THIS FIRE . MY CAR HAD BEGAN TO BUCK AND SHUT OFF ONLY TO REFIRE AND START AND CONTINUE RUNNING. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER WOULD NOT LISTEN TO ME ABOUT HAVING AN INVESTIGATION.AS I HAD JUST BURIED A FAMILY ON THE JAN. 3, AND MY SON AND GRANDSON WERE TRAMATIZED BY THE FIRE AND THE HEAT, PLUS BEING UNABLE TO GET THE SEAT BELTS AND HARNESSES RELEASED. I DON'T WANT ANOTHER THREE YEAR OLD CHILD TO EXPERIENCE WHAT NICKOLUS DID.EVERY DAY HE PLAYS OUT THE CARS BURNING AND THE CHILDREN BEING STUCK IN THE CAR. PERSONALLY, I WAS AMAZED BY THE RESPONSE THAT I GOT FROM VOLKSWAGON OF AMERICA. TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS SEEMED ENORMOUS WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR BUT I WAS SOLD ON A VW HAVING OWNED SEVERAL OTHERS OVER THE YEARS. AT PRESENT I OWN A 1990 TOYOTA TRUCK, 1946 FORD SEDAN AND A 1931 MODEL A RODSTER. I NEED SOME HELP AND I NEED THE MESSAGE TO GET OUT TO OTHER CORRADO OWNERS. AS A PREVIOUS BURN SURVIVOR WITH OVER SEVENTY[70] PERCENT SCARING AND DISFIGUREMENT I BELIEVE IN PREVENTION.SHERI THURMAN
G60 ALUMINUM HOUSING WHERE REAR BRAKE OUTLET LINE FROM ABS UNIT LEAKS HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE ABS UNIT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
POOR DESIGN OF REAR PANEL HOLDS LICENSE PLATE AS WELL,FALLS OFF WHILE DRIVING, LEAVING YOU WITHOUT A LICENSE PLATE IN THE REAR. I WORKED IN A VW DEALER AND THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON CORRADO'S AND GOLFS.THE CORRADO OWNERS CLUB OF N.A. ALSO HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON RECORD FOR THIS COMMON DEFECT,AND A SAFETY ISSUE,AS IT LEAVES VEHICLE WITHOUT A REAR LICENSE PLATE NOT TO MENTION POSSIBLE DAMAGES/ACCIDENTS TO ANYONE FOLLOWING THAT CAN BE STRUCK BY LICENSE PLATE AND PANEL FALLING OFF AT SPEED! *AK
WHEELS BENT DUE TO BEING TOO SOFT, CAUSING A LEAK. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
STARTER WOULD NOT ENGAGE RESULTING IN TRYING TO START CAR THREE TIME AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START, IGNITION SWITCH FAILED ALSO.
GEAR SYNCHRO FAILS CAUSING SECOND GEAR FAILURE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
POOR DESIGN OF REAR PANEL HOLDS LICENSE PLATE AS WELL,FALLS OFF WHILE DRIVING, LEAVING YOU WITHOUT A LICENSE PLATE IN THE REAR. I WORKED IN A VW DEALER AND THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON CORRADO'S AND GOLFS.THE CORRADO OWNERS CLUB OF N.A. ALSO HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON RECORD FOR THIS COMMON DEFECT,AND A SAFETY ISSUE,AS IT LEAVES VEHICLE WITHOUT A REAR LICENSE PLATE NOT TO MENTION POSSIBLE DAMAGES/ACCIDENTS TO ANYONE FOLLOWING THAT CAN BE STRUCK BY LICENSE PLATE AND PANEL FALLING OFF AT SPEED! *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 STATES WELL INVOLVED VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FIRE WHICH INCLUDED FORM OF HEAT. I WAS TOLD I HAD TO MANY MILES ON MY CAR.I BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY CAR FOR SEVEN YEARS OR SEVENTY THOUSAND MILES.ALL RECALLS THAT WE EVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF WERE TAKEN IN FOR RECALL CHECKS. MY WINDSHIELD HAD A FLAT SPOT IN IT THAT I COULD NEVER GET THEM TO EXCHANGE.THE WIPERS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY.JUST BEFORE THIS FIRE . MY CAR HAD BEGAN TO BUCK AND SHUT OFF ONLY TO REFIRE AND START AND CONTINUE RUNNING. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER WOULD NOT LISTEN TO ME ABOUT HAVING AN INVESTIGATION.AS I HAD JUST BURIED A FAMILY ON THE JAN. 3, AND MY SON AND GRANDSON WERE TRAMATIZED BY THE FIRE AND THE HEAT, PLUS BEING UNABLE TO GET THE SEAT BELTS AND HARNESSES RELEASED. I DON'T WANT ANOTHER THREE YEAR OLD CHILD TO EXPERIENCE WHAT NICKOLUS DID.EVERY DAY HE PLAYS OUT THE CARS BURNING AND THE CHILDREN BEING STUCK IN THE CAR. PERSONALLY, I WAS AMAZED BY THE RESPONSE THAT I GOT FROM VOLKSWAGON OF AMERICA. TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS SEEMED ENORMOUS WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR BUT I WAS SOLD ON A VW HAVING OWNED SEVERAL OTHERS OVER THE YEARS. AT PRESENT I OWN A 1990 TOYOTA TRUCK, 1946 FORD SEDAN AND A 1931 MODEL A RODSTER. I NEED SOME HELP AND I NEED THE MESSAGE TO GET OUT TO OTHER CORRADO OWNERS. AS A PREVIOUS BURN SURVIVOR WITH OVER SEVENTY[70] PERCENT SCARING AND DISFIGUREMENT I BELIEVE IN PREVENTION.SHERI THURMAN
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR HAS UNCONTROLLED IDLE SPEED. COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELLERATION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .