RoadVitals

1972 Volkswagen Type Iii

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.
1
Latest Jun 15, 1998
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.
3
Latest Aug 15, 1972
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 1972 Volkswagen Type Iii, most frequently naming the brakes and fuel system categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Brakes150.0%
  • Fuel system150.0%

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

3 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

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

Nov 10, 1971
869 units potentially affected
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP

Sep 21, 1971
10,000 units potentially affected
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

BrakesFuel system
Filed Jun 15, 1998

RECALLS 72V204000/71V203000,71V163000; MR. BRUCE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE RECALLS AND THE MANUFACTURER SAIDS THAT THE RECALLS ARE NO LONGER OPEN AND THEY WILL NOT SEND THE PARTS TO HIM SO THAT HE CAN REPAIR THE VEHICLE BY HIMSELF.

NHTSA ID
824280

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Type Iii by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1972Viewing130
1971010
1969010
1968030

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.