Owners have filed 72 complaints
about the 1992 Volkswagen Corrado with NHTSA between 1996 and 2005.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Heater Core
2956.9%
Cooling System
815.7%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
35.9%
Exterior
35.9%
Engine
35.9%
Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings
23.9%
FOG Lights
23.9%
Switch
12.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 1996peak 9Jun 2005
NHTSA investigations into the 1992 Volkswagen Corrado
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA98012Opened 27 May 1998Closed 20 Nov 1998VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
HEATER CORE REPTURE
HEATER CORE ALLEGEDLY RUPTURES AND RELEASES HOT COOLANT INTO THE VEHICLE INTERIOR, RESULTING IN IMPAIRED VISIBILITY AND POTENTIAL BURN INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS.
PE98006Opened 5 Feb 1998Closed 27 May 1998VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
HEATER CORE RUPTURE
HEATER CORE ALLEGEDLY RUPTURES AND RELEASES HOT COOLANT INTO THE VEHICLE INTERIOR, RESULTING IN IMPAIRED VISIBILITY AND POTENTIAL BURN INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS.
Recalls on the 1992 Volkswagen Corrado
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
98V295000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH VR6 ENGINES. A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT SUCH AS THE THERMO SWITCH, RADIATOR FAN, OR WATER PUMP, CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND COOLANT SYSTEM PRESSURE TO INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY. OVER TIME, EXCESSIVE PRESSURE CAN CAUSE LEAKAGE OF COOLANT FROMTHE SYSTEM, INCLUDING LEAKAGE FROM THE HEAT EXCHANGER.
Risk: LEAKAGE OF HOT COOLANT FROM THE HEAT EXCHANGER CAN CAUSE INJURY TO THE FEET OF THE DRIVER OR STEAM UP THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S VISION.
93V102000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS MAY HAVE BEEN ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO A SHEET METAL EDGE. THE WIRING CAN BECOME DAMAGED DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION DUE TO CHAFING, RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Risk: IF A SHORT OCCURS, EITHER THE ENGINE COULD STALL ORTHE RADIATOR FAN COULD STOP OPERATING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. EITHERCONDITION COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
92V058000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19982311,120 units in Canada
Heater And Defroster
On certain vehicles, excessive temperature and cooling system pressure could result in coolant leakage in the system including leakage from the heat exchanger. Leakage of coolant from the heat exchanger could cause injury to the feet of the driver, steam up the interior of the vehicle and temporarily impair the driver's vision. Correction: Dealer will conduct a functional check of the cooling system and install a pressure throttle which will result in reduced coolant pressure in the heat exchanger.
Recall 19931433,370 units in Canada
Fuel System
THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL, LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY CLAMPED. THIS COULD LEAD TO FUEL SEEPAGE AT THE HOSE CONNECTION. ESCAPING FUEL COULD COME INTO CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL WILL BE REPLACED AND EXISTING HOSE CLAMPS WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW SPRING TYPE HOSE CLAMP.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Jacksonville, NC2 injured
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH STEAM CAME OUT THRU VENTS (NO VISIVILITY) AND HOT COOLANT CAME IN FROM BEHIND THE DASHBOARD BURNING ME AND MY WIFE'S FEET, IMPAIRING VEHICLE CONTROL, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO HOT WATER AND LACK OF VISIBILITY. ACCORDING TO VW A RECALL WAS PERFORMED TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING ON JULY 30, 1999 AND THE VEHICLE HAD 63,376 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. NOW THE VEHICLE HAS 68,505 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #721055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEATER CORE FAILED CAUSING HOT SCALDING COOLANT TO SHOOT OUT OF VENTS CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #532327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 117,700 milesMount Vernon, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND A CLOUD OF SMOKE CAME FROM BEHIND STEERING WHEEL. PRIOR TO THIS VEHILCE HAD BEEN RUNNING HOT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A COOLANT FLUSH, AND HAD THE BELT REPLACED AROUND THE FAN. ALSO, HAD A NEW RADIATOR INSTALLED. CONSUMER WAS IN THE CAR 5-10 MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SMOKED.
NHTSA complaint #10125088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,400 milesDurham, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN NHTSA RECALL 98V295000. PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH VR6 ENGINES. A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT SUCH AS THE THERMO SWITCH, RADIATOR FAN, OR WATER PUMP CAN MALFUNCTION, CAUSING THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND COOLANT SYSTEM PRESSURE TO INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY. OVER TIME, EXCESSIVE PRESSURE CAN CAUSE LEAKAGE OF COOLANT FROM THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING LEAKAGE FROM THE HEAT EXCHANGER. DEALER INDICATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDE IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10079625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,000 milesSalem, OR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM AS STATED IN RECALL 98 V 295 000, BUT THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10015535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FLASHED. THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE, AND AT THAT POINT THE VEHICLE'S CABIN BECAME FILLED WITH STEAM AND HOT RADIATOR FLUID WAS ON THE FLOOR BOARD. IT WAS DETERMINED THE HEATER CORE FAILED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10015354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RECALL WORK PERFORMED AND FAILURE IMMEDIATELY OCCURRED. RUPTURED HEATER CORE REPAIRED, BUT CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO COOLANT FUMES. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX RECALL 98V295000.
NHTSA complaint #765747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Superior, CO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
RECALL WORK PERFORMED AND FAILURE IMMEDIATELY OCCURRED. RUPTURED HEATER CORE REPAIRED, BUT CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO COOLANT FUMES. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX RECALL 98V295000.
NHTSA complaint #765747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY HEATER CORE FAILED SPILLING RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND VAPOR THROUGH THE HVAC SYSTEM.. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS A PART THAT CONSISTANTLY FAILED IN MY TYPE OF VEHICLE AND AM HOPING THAT THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE WILL BE RESPONSABLE AND REPLACE THE PART AS A RECALL ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #763340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Valley City, UT
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
FOG LIGHTS OVERHEAT. VWOA HAS REFUSED HELLA OEM FOG LIGHT REPLACEMENT DESIGN. HEATED OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR DELAMINATES.
NHTSA complaint #755589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Valley City, UT
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
FOG LIGHTS OVERHEAT. VWOA HAS REFUSED HELLA OEM FOG LIGHT REPLACEMENT DESIGN. HEATED OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR DELAMINATES.
NHTSA complaint #755589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Valley City, UT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
FOG LIGHTS OVERHEAT. VWOA HAS REFUSED HELLA OEM FOG LIGHT REPLACEMENT DESIGN. HEATED OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR DELAMINATES.
NHTSA complaint #755589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Valley City, UT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
FOG LIGHTS OVERHEAT. VWOA HAS REFUSED HELLA OEM FOG LIGHT REPLACEMENT DESIGN. HEATED OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR DELAMINATES.
NHTSA complaint #755589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEATER CORE LOCATED BEHIND VENTILATION SYSTEM BLEW UP, HOT COOLANT HIT VENT AND WHITE SMOKE AND COOLANT ENTERED INTO VEHICLE, CHEMICALS WERE VERY STRONG. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ,AND THEY WILL REPLACE HEATER CORE, CONSUMER INDICATED THAT HE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURIED, BECAUSE LIQUID WAS HOT,CONSUMER WAS TEMPORARILY BLINDED BY WHITE SMOKE.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER FINALLY REPLACED THE HEATER CORE AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS.*SLC
NHTSA complaint #895246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IGNITION SWITCH AND THE HEATER WERE REPAIR WITH USED PARTS AND STILL FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #746917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH AND THE HEATER WERE REPAIR WITH USED PARTS AND STILL FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #746917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Pleasant, CA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
PARTS WERE NOT DEFECTIVE UNTIL OTHER REPAIR WAS DONE NOT RELATING TO THIS PART OF CAR IS FAULT OF DEALER BUT MUST BE REPAIRED AT MY OWN EXPENSE! DEALER SERVICE TAKES NO BLAME AND WILL NOT NEGOTIATE .
NHTSA complaint #738715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEATER CORE HAS MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING HOT FLUIDS TO ENTER INTO PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT FROM VENT WHICH CAUSED WINDOWS TO STEAM UP. ALSO, CONSUMER MENTIONED RECALL 98V295000. CONSUMER NOT SURE IF THIS VEHICLE WAS SUBJECT TO RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #876365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, NC2 injured
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH STEAM CAME OUT THRU VENTS (NO VISIVILITY) AND HOT COOLANT CAME IN FROM BEHIND THE DASHBOARD BURNING ME AND MY WIFE'S FEET, IMPAIRING VEHICLE CONTROL, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO HOT WATER AND LACK OF VISIBILITY. ACCORDING TO VW A RECALL WAS PERFORMED TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING ON JULY 30, 1999 AND THE VEHICLE HAD 63,376 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. NOW THE VEHICLE HAS 68,505 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #721055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEATER CORE LEAKED INTO PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT AND STEAMED UP THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO NEARLY BE BURNED EVEN AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE. TOOK TO DEALER IN RESPONSE TO A RECALL LETTER TO INSTALL COOLANT PRESSURE THROTTLE UNIT, AND DID A CHECK ON COOLANT SYSTEM. THIS WAS SUPPOSE TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM HAPPENING.
NHTSA complaint #851831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bronx Mamaroneck, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
JUST LIKE TO KNOW ON WHAT PARTS IS VW RESPONSIBLE FOR AND IF A PROBLEM HAS BEEN AFFECTED FROM A RECALL, DO THEY PAY? AND TO SEE IF IT IS WORTH PURCHASING A '92 CORRADO SLC. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #715114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Provo, UT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
VEHICLE KEEPS OVERHEATING AND COOLANT LEAKED OUT INTO THE PASSENGER'S SEAT FROM THE DASH. DEALER CAN'T FIND SOLUTION.
NHTSA complaint #851619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Pasadena, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL GETS HARD, AND AT OTHER TIMES PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. DEALRR SAID THAT MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #841709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marshfield, VT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
RECAL 98V295000, VW/ENGINE COOLANT SYSTEM; THE VEHICLE WAS CORRECTED ON MAY 19, 1999 UNDER NOTICE. THREE WEEKS LATER VEHICLE NEEDED REPAIR AGAIN. MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING TO CORRECT FOR THE SECOND TIME FREE OF CHARGE.
NHTSA complaint #839726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.