RoadVitals

1980 Volkswagen Vanagon Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that 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
Recall campaignsA 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
Newest Jun 23, 1981
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
0
Open 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

Recall campaigns

3 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

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

What a recall is

Safety recall
A 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.
Safety investigation
NHTSA 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.
Manufacturer communication
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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources