RoadVitals

1993 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.
18
Latest Apr 5, 2004
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.
0
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

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Volkswagen Fox, most frequently naming the engine, visibility and seat belts categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 10 manufacturer communications are 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

  • Engine833.3%
  • Visibility416.7%
  • Seat belts416.7%
  • Electrical312.5%
  • Fuel system28.3%
  • Transmission28.3%
  • 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
92V058000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Apr 14, 1992
358,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL ON THE ENGINE MAY SHRINK BEYOND THE CLAMP FORCE OF THE FUEL HOSE CLAMPS, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 18
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 5, 2004

WHILE TRAVELING A LONG DISTANCE, THE VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS, THE AIRFLOW SENSOR, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER ASSEMBLY. *AK THE PREVIOUSLY LOST 2-3 QUARTS OF OIL FRONT OIL SEAL FAILED, FUSES KEPT FAILING AT THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC THE OIL SEALS AND WATER PUMP FAILED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10065037
Incident
Dec 1, 2002
Mileage
90,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Mar 17, 2003

AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT UPPER TORSO BUCKLE STICKS OUT, IT IS JUST A FEW INCHES FROM THE HEAD. *AK

NHTSA ID
10009609
Engine
Filed Apr 12, 2002

CONSUMER HAD RECALL 95V105000 REPAIRS DONE IN 1995, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO HEAT EXCHANGER UNDERNEATH DASH. WOULD ALSO LEAK UNDERNEATH PASSENGER'S SEAT. STEAM FROM COOLANT COMES THROUGH VENTS. CAN'T SEE TO DRIVE. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
8007490
EngineVisibility
Filed Apr 11, 2002

VEHICLE IS LEAKING COOLANT UNDERNEATH AND IN ENGINE AREA. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK RADIATOR AND HEATER CORE ARE DEFECTIVE CAUSING COOLANT TO SPLASH ALL OVER VEHICLE. *JG

NHTSA ID
8007459
Incident
Mar 26, 2002
Visibility
Filed Jan 18, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AND TRYING TO TURN ON HEATER. FLUID STARTED COMING OUT OF VENTS ONTO PASSENGERS OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ID
8002452
Incident
Jan 17, 2002
Transmission
Filed May 17, 2000

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY FOUND OUT THAT CLUTCH WAS HARD TO PRESS. CLUTCH PLATE FELL OFF, CAUSING CLUTCH SYSTEM TO FAIL. *AK

NHTSA ID
862056
Incident
May 10, 2000
Engine
Filed Mar 19, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
720313
Incident
Jun 5, 1999
Engine
Filed Dec 7, 1999

WHILE DRIVING HEAT EXCHANGER FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 95V105000 DEALER AND MANUFAFCTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
853780
Incident
Dec 6, 1999

Manufacturer communications

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

SM 33-2019

EQUIPMENT

The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.

SM 44-2017 EN

EQUIPMENT

This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.

VHW-17-11

EQUIPMENT

VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide

1-2017 Update

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests.

V691601 2010479

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Update model year applicability to include 2017.

Airbag

AIR BAGS

Airbag Issues.

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 Fox by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1993Viewing182043.3
1992520—
1991130—
1990152154.1
1989921—
1988232152.7
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.