RoadVitals

1988 Volkswagen Fox

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.
23
Latest Jul 8, 2009
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 May 23, 1995
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.
1
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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Volkswagen Fox, most frequently naming the visibility, engine and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

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

  • Visibility729.2%
  • Engine625.0%
  • Body & structure312.5%
  • Interior & seats28.3%
  • Brakes28.3%
  • Heating & air conditioning14.2%
  • Fuel system14.2%
  • Powertrain (other)14.2%

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
95V105000

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
88V187000

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

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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 23
Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST ALL BRAKING FUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION FROM THE METAL BRAKE LINE TO THE REAR RIGHT SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 164,955 UPDATED 8/3/09 *CN UPDATED 08/05/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10276078
Incident
Jul 7, 2009
Mileage
164,955 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 13, 2004

WHILE DRIVING COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH DASHBOARD ON DRIVER'S FEET. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEATER COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10059130
Incident
Feb 13, 2004
Body & structure
Filed Sep 9, 2002

WHILE DRIVING THE HOOD UNEXPECTEDLY POPPED UP AND BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. *YH BOTH HINGES SECURING THE HOOD HAD BROKEN FROM STRESS. *SCC

NHTSA ID
567359
Incident
Jul 17, 2002
Visibility
Filed Aug 29, 2001

CONSUMER STATES WINDSHILED WAS CRACKED, AS A RESULT OF GRAVEL BEING DUMPED ON THE HIGHWAY.*JB

NHTSA ID
785499
Incident
Jun 29, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Feb 2, 2000

PRESSURE FUEL HOSE WAS CRACKED AND SEEPING GASOLINE. IMMINENT LEAK/FIRE HAZARD. *AK

NHTSA ID
718188
Incident
Jan 20, 2000
Visibility
Filed Oct 4, 1999

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT HEATER CORE BLEW UP, CAUSING ANTI-FREEZE TO SPRAY ON THE CONSUMER AND FAMILY, AND SMOKE SPARKS WERE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
849775
Incident
Oct 1, 1999
Transmission
Filed Sep 24, 1999

THE VEHICLE GEARS WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE INSTEAD IT GOES INTO FIRST GEAR. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN. MJS

NHTSA ID
848658
Visibility
Filed May 27, 1999

FRONT WINDSHIELD LEAKS CONTINUALLY CAUSING RUST DAMAGE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. MJS

NHTSA ID
545786

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Fox by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1993182043.3
1992520—
1991130—
1990152154.1
1989921—
1988Viewing232152.7
1987103249.2

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.