RoadVitals

1980 Volkswagen Vanagon

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
0
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 Jun 23, 1981
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 no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1980 Volkswagen Vanagon. 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.

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
81V076000

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:SLIDE-IN CAMPER

Jun 23, 1981
92 units potentially affected
The defect: DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE POP TOP COULD LOOSEN FROM ITS ANCHOR DUE TO WIND PRESSURE. IT COULD OPEN AND SEPARATE ENTIRELY FROM THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, MODIFY ANCHORAGES TO MAKE SURE POP TOP WILL BE SECURED UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.
COUNTRY HOMES CAMPER CO.View on NHTSA.gov
80V080000

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

Jun 25, 1980
2,287 units potentially affected
The defect: THE AUXILIARY HEATER"S EXHAUST PIPE IS MOUNTED IN A DOWNWARD POSITION TOWARD THE GROUND.
The remedy: DEALER WILL REMOVE THE EXISTING PIPE AND INSTALL A MODIFIED PIPE WITH A SHIELD OVER THE END, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov
79V270000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

Dec 27, 1979
2,572 units potentially affected
The defect: THE BOLTS WHICH ATTACH EACH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FRONT BALL JOINT TO THE UPPER WISHBONE, MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY. THIS COULD CAUSE THE BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE FROM THE WISHBONE.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL TIGHTEN THE BALL JOINT BOLTS TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS AT NO COST TO OWNER.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Vanagon by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1994000—
1993000—
1992000—
1991922—
1990132245.6
1989022—
1988343—
1987137366.3
1986844—
1985113—
1984202—
1983001—
1982011—
1981221—
1980Viewing030—

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.