RoadVitals

1987 Volkswagen Fox Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that cover this model year

Data refreshed

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
Recall campaignsA 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
Newest May 23, 1995
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
0
Open 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.
0
2 investigations on file

Recall campaigns

3 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

May 23, 1995
164,000 units potentially affected
The defect: IN THE EVENT OF A COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENT FAILURE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE COOLANT CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING THE COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TO RISE TO A LEVEL WHERE A LEAK IN THE HEAT EXCHANGER CAN OCCUR.
The risk: A LEAK OR FAILURE OF THE HEAT EXCHANGER LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD CAN ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE FEET OF A PASSENGER. HOT COOLANT CAN ALSO STEAM UP THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BYPASS VALVE KIT WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ROUTE EXCESSIVELY HOT COOLANT TO THE ENGINE WITHOUT FLOWING THROUGH THE HEAT EXCHANGER. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A PLASTIC COVER UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ENSURE THAT THE PASSENGER IS NOT EXPOSED TO HOT COOLANT IN THE EVENT OF A LEAK.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Dec 1, 1988
104,000 units potentially affected
The defect: STEERING WHEEL/SHAFT DESIGNED TO USE SURFACE FRICTION MAY LOOSE THIS FRICTION IF GREASE OR OIL IS PRESENT ON THE CONESHAPED SURFACE OF THE STEERING SHAFT.
The risk: IF THE ABOVE CONDITION IS PRESENT AND THE STEERING WHEELNUT IS TORQUED LOWER THAN SPECIFIED, BREAK OF THE FRICTION LOCK COULD RESULT INLOOSENING AND SEPARATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
The remedy: REMOVE THE STEERING WHEEL OF VEHICLES AND CLEAN FRICTION SURFACE AND INSTALL A SPRING RETAINER, REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL NUT WITH A SELF LOCKING NUT.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

WHEELS

Oct 20, 1987
138 units potentially affected
The defect: UNDER HEAVY LOAD CONDITIONS, THE REAR TIRE SIDEWALLS MAY CHAFE AGAINST THE WHEEL HOUSING.
The risk: PROLONGED CHAFING CAN CAUSE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR ANDCOULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR.
The remedy: INSTALL A DIFFERENT TYPE SPORT WHEELS OR INSTALL STANDARD WHEELS.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A 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.
Safety investigation
NHTSA 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.
Manufacturer communication
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.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and it is not a recall.

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
PE88102ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION

Opened Sep 15, 1988
Closed Jan 5, 1989

There is no summary currently available

STEERINGLed to recall 88V187000

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .