RoadVitals

1959 Volkswagen Volkswagen

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 Nov 20, 2000
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.
1
Latest Oct 26, 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 1959 Volkswagen Volkswagen, most frequently naming the interior & seats category. 1 safety recall has 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

  • Interior & seats1100.0%

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

1 campaign 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
72V256000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Oct 26, 1972
3,700,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE SET SCREW LOCKING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM TO THE DRIVING SHAFT MAY WORK LOOSE. IF THIS HAPPENS, IT WOULD CAUSE ERRATIC WIPER OPERATION AND THE COULD CAUSE WIPER OPERATION TO CEASE ENTIRELY.
The risk: LOSS OF WIPER OPERATION WOULD IMPAIR ROAD VISIBILITYDURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSPECT AND REPLACE WITH NEW TYPE WIPER ARMS WHERE NECESSARY.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Interior & seats
Filed Nov 20, 2000

DRIVER'S SEAT HAS BEEN REPLACED ABOUT 4 TIMES. IT CONTINUES TO BREAK. THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS NOW. FOAM IS NOT ADEQUATE. BUSTS AND YOU END UP SITTING ON THE BAR ASSEMBLY OF THE SEAT.*AK

NHTSA ID
736591

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Volkswagen by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2016000—
2015000—
2014000—
2003400—
2002700—
2001900—
2000120033.4
1999500—
1998200—
1997600—
1996900—
1995300—
1994300—
1993000—
1992200—
1991100—
1990100—
1989000—
1988000—
1987200—
1986000—
1985000—
1984000—
1983000—
1982000—
1981010—
1980000—
1979000—
1978100—
1977000—
1976000—
1971100—
1969010—
1968010—
1967010—
1966010—
1965210—
1964010—
1963010—
1962010—
1961010—
1960010—
1959Viewing110—
1958010—
1957010—
1956010—
1955010—
1954010—
1953010—
1952010—
1951010—
1950010—
1949310—

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.