RoadVitals

1990 Volkswagen Golf

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.
10
Latest Oct 24, 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.
5
Latest Mar 1, 2006
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.
3

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Volkswagen Golf, most frequently naming the seat belts, brakes and driver assistance categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 2 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

  • Seat belts330.0%
  • Brakes220.0%
  • Driver assistance220.0%
  • Body & structure110.0%
  • Electrical110.0%
  • Visibility110.0%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
06E018000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Mar 1, 2006
266 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, P/N 171.611.107B, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1975-1985 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RABBIT; 1985-1992 VW GOLF; AND 1980-1992 VW JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD OCCUR WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
The risk: BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE BRAKE HOSES WITH COMPLIANT BRAKE HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS AT 305-885-8646 EXT. 11.
FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS, INC.Manufacturer number 171.611.701BView on NHTSA.gov
93V129000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Aug 2, 1993
76,000 units potentially affected
The defect: AN ENGINE PREHEATING TUBE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SUPPORTED DUE TO A MISSING SUPPORT BRACKET, CAUSING THE PREHEATING TUBE TO CHAFE AGAINST THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE. THIS CAN DAMAGE THE HYDRAULIC LINE, CAUSING BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE AND DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT.
The risk: DIMINISHED BRAKING CAN RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PREHEATING TUBE SUPPORT BRACKET TO ENSURE PROPER POSITIONING RELATIVE TO THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE.
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

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA93008ClosedEngineering Analysis

DETACHMENT OF BUMPER COVER

Opened Mar 3, 1993
Closed Sep 17, 1993

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE
PE92089ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

DETACHMENT OF BUMPER COVER

Opened Dec 17, 1992
Closed Mar 3, 1993

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE
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 10
Body & structure
Filed Oct 24, 2002
Fire reported

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING THE WIRING IN THE TRUNK CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THE CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS CONSUMER HAD TURNED ON THE REAR DEFROST FOR THE FIRST TIME. THERE WAS A CRACKING SOUND AND A STREAM OF SMOKE CAME UP FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR HATCH AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *JG *JB

NHTSA ID
8021548
Incident
Oct 18, 2002
Mileage
83,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 12, 2001
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING COULD SEE A LIGHT BURNING ON FLOOR OF VEHICLE . CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND SAW U A BLUE FLAME. VEHICLE STARTED FILLING UP WITH SMOKE. FIRE COULD NOT BE PUT OUT. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT FIRE STARTED FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO TRUNK. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID
880404
Incident
Feb 4, 2001
Brakes
Filed Nov 7, 2000

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 TO 45 MPH HEARD A SNAP AND THAT WAS ROTORS SNAPPING IN HALF, LOST ALL BRAKES AND STEERING. THERE WERE FIVE RECALLS ON VEHICLE THAT HAD NEVER BEEN DONE.*AK

NHTSA ID
874536
Incident
Oct 7, 2000
Visibility
Filed Apr 11, 2000

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF MY CAR SUDDENLY BEGIN TO FOG UP. I WAS COASTING TOWARD A STOP LIGHT AND AS SOON AS I STOPPED I NOTICED ANTIFREEZE POURING IN FROM AROUND THE FIREWALL AREA. I WAS ONLY A FEW BLOCKS FROM HOME SO I WATCHED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND PROCEEDED SLOWLY- SOMEHOW KEEPING MY FEET SUSPENDED OFF OF THE FLOOR TO AVOID THE HOT ANTIFREEZE. I SUSPECTED THE HEATER CORE BECAUSE I KNEW THAT IT WAS INTERNAL TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I REPLACED THIS MYSELF BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD CHARGE BETWEEN 600-800.00 FOR THIS REPAIR. THIS WAS THE BIGGEST PAIN THE NECK TO REPAIR BECAUSE I HAD TO REMOVE THE DASHBOARD TO ACCESS THE HEATER CORE. PLUS I HAD TO REPLACE THE CARPET BECAUSE IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET ANTIFREEZE OUT OF CARPET. NOW I KNOW WHY THE DEALER CHARGES SO MUCH! *AK

NHTSA ID
721312
Incident
Nov 2, 1998
Seat belts
Filed Jun 7, 1999

THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT FRONT LAP BELTS, BUT DO HAVE SHOULDER BELTS. DEALER SAYS VEHICLE IS SAFE. *AK

NHTSA ID
837067
Seat belts
Filed Nov 13, 1998

THE VEHICLE ISN'T SAFE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE LAP BELTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
830759
Incident
Nov 6, 1998
Brakes
Filed Nov 4, 1998

CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED A RECALL LETER, AND HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
830091
Incident
Oct 15, 1998
Seat belts
Filed Jul 13, 1998

SEAT BELT FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
538287

Manufacturer communications

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

2015831

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

VOLKSWAGEN: EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD, REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES. HEAT SHIELDS ARE TO BE INSPECTED AFTER COMPLETION O ANY TYPE OF REPAIR TO THE UNDERBODY (EXHAUST SYSTEM TRANSMISSION, ETC.), AND IF DAMAGED, REPLACED. *PE

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 Golf by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024000—
2023110027.5
2022810030.0
2021710—
2020621—
2019626354.6
2018296160.8
20171155156.5
2016859152.6
201513012160.9
2014115356.2
2013435358.0
2012486564.9
20111106558.9
2010694455.0
2009301—
2008100—
2007200—
2006123045.3
2005194044.6
2004286051.9
2003276266.2
2002737361.4
20011169359.0
2000888357.2
1999647152.9
1998181032.4
1997230034.5
1996361151.0
1995435257.7
1994415052.3
1993750—
1992620—
1991832—
1990Viewing105365.7
1989174159.0
1988961—
1987442—
1986135362.9
1985106164.9

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.