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
1841.9%
Cooling System
920.9%
FAN
818.6%
Interior/Under Dash
37.0%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
24.7%
Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings
12.3%
Gasoline
12.3%
Engine
12.3%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
120.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
120.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
240.0%
150,000+ miles
120.0%
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 1997peak 8Oct 2022
Recalls on the 1993 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.
95V178000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
IMPROPER MATERIAL WAS USED IN MANUFACTURING THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAUSING THE SHAFT TO WEAR AND BECOME NOISY.
Risk: A WORN AND NOISY FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAN SEIZE RENDERINGTHE FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND STALL. A STALLED VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC CAN INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
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.
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 199522119,932 units in Canada
Engine
NOTE: INCLUDES PASSAT, GOLF AND JETTA TURBO DIESEL. ON 1993-94 MODELS, THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT COULD SEIZE AND RENDER THE FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE. 1994-95 MODELS COULD EXPERIENCE A CONDITION WHEREBY THE LOCK NUT SECURING THE RADIATOR FAN BLADE HUB TO THE MOTOR COULD LOSE ITS REQUIRED TORQUE. A LOOSE LOCK NUT COULD CAUSE THE FAN HUB TO LOOSEN FROM THE SHAFT AND CAUSE THE BELT PULLEY TO RUN "OFF-CENTER". THIS IN TURN COULD CAUSE THE FAN BELT TO DISCONNECT OR BREAK. EITHER OF THE ABOVE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN ENGINE OVERHEATING AND STALLING. A VEHICLE STALLING IN TRAFFIC COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WITH EITHER HAVE THE COMPLETE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY REPLACED OR A NEW FAN BLADE WITH A NEW LOCK NUT INSTALLED.
Recall 1994025583 units in Canada
Electrical
AN ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD BECOME DAMAGED DUE TO CHAFING. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL OR THE RADIATOR FAN TO STOP OPERATING, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. EITHER CONDITION COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CORRECTION: WIRING HARNESS WILL BE RE-ROUTED AND SPECIAL SHIELDING WILL BE INSTALLED IN ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
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.
Tucson, AR1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
HEATER CORE EXPLOTED STEAM AND ANTIFREEZ INTO INTERIOR OF CAR FLOOR AND THROUGH THE DUCTS. NOTE NOT ONLY THE HEATER CORE THAT FAILS BUT ALSO OTHER COOLANT COMPONETS ,INSTALL COOLANT PRESSURE THROTTLE .
NHTSA complaint #727670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willoughby, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
FAN MOTOR DEFECTIVE CAUSING WIRING TO OVERHEAT AND CATCH FIRE WHEN MOTOR SHORTED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #543083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEATER CORE FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO CONSUMER, CAUSING LOSS OF VISIBILITY/LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #530381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willowick, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A SHORT IN EITHER THE POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE NEAR THE ENGINE OR THE COOLING FAN CIRCUIT WHICH IS POWERED THROUGH THE POWER DISTRUBUTION MODULE CAUGHT FIRE. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT TIME OF FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #527452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tempe, AZFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
HEATER CORE LEAKED ANTI-FREEZE COOLANT AND STEAM THROUGHT VEHICLE'S DUCTWORK. IN ADDITION, PLASTIC HOUSING TO WHICH THE THERMOSTAT ATTACHES WARPED AND WAS LEAKING, AND RADIATOR FAN MOTOR WAS REPLACED WHEN IT STARTED SQUEALING AND SEIZED.
NHTSA complaint #522669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tempe, AZFire
STEERING
HEATER CORE LEAKED ANTI-FREEZE COOLANT AND STEAM THROUGHT VEHICLE'S DUCTWORK. IN ADDITION, PLASTIC HOUSING TO WHICH THE THERMOSTAT ATTACHES WARPED AND WAS LEAKING, AND RADIATOR FAN MOTOR WAS REPLACED WHEN IT STARTED SQUEALING AND SEIZED.
NHTSA complaint #522669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 190,000 milesWoodbridge, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns 1993 Volkswagen Corrado. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, he heard an abnormal popping sound. The contact then saw a significant amount of smoke coming through the front of the dashboard. The contact stated that he lost visibility of the surrounding of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that coolant was leaking onto the driver's side floorboard. Additionally, coolant was leaking onto the ground on the passenger's side of the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 98V295000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
NHTSA complaint #11490158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesChapel Hill, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 1993 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO SLC OVERHEATS LEAK AND SOMETIMES FULLY EJECTING ALL ITS COOLANT FROM TIME TO TIME. IT HAS DONE THIS FOUR TIMES IN TWO YEARS. *JB I HAVE HAD THE RADIATOR, COOLING FANS AND HOSES REPLACED AS WELL AS MULTIPLE COOLANT SYSTEM TESTS PERFORMED. THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR PRIVATE MECHANICS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE IT. RECALLS REGARDING THIS ISSUES INCLUDE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 98V295000 AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 95V178000 VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERIVCE (1.800.822.8987) VERIFIED THAT BASED ON MY VIN NUMBER, THESE RECALLS APPLY AND THAT THE RECALL WORK HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT CAN SUDDENLY INCAPACITATE THE CAR AT ANY TIME. CORRADO USER GROUPS ON LINE CONSISTENTLY REPORT THIS AS A WELL KNOWN RECURRING PROBLEM. WHAT IS THE MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ITS CUSTOMERS IN THIS SITUATION? THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.
NHTSA complaint #10088144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING VEH AT ON HIGHWAY APPROX 5 MINUTES, HEATER IN DASH STARTED PUTTING HOT STEAM INTO CABIN AND OVER WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE BECAME UNDRIVABLE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY, BUT VISION THROUGH WINDSHIELD WAS AFFECTED AND STEAM CONTACTED MY WIFE AND MY LEGS-NO INJURY DUE TO QUICKLY SHUTTING OFF ENGINE AND PULLING OVER.
NHTSA complaint #10075058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,500 milesFlowery Branch, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
FAILURE OF HEATER CORE IN 1993 VW CORRADO SLC RESULTING IN A NEAR INSTANTANEOUS FOGGING AND COMPLETE LACK OF VISIBILITY IN THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10039421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD "POP" NOISE AND VEHICLE FILLED UP WITH STEAM ELIMINATING CONSUMER'S VISIBILITY. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, NARROWLY AVOIDING A COLLISION. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING I SUDDENLY FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON MY RIGHT FOOT THAT COINCIDED WITH THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FILLING UP WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE STEAM. I HAD TO TAKE IMMEDIATE EVASIVE ACTION TO PULL OFF ONTO THE STEEP SHOULDER OF A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. APPARENTLY THE HEATER CORE FAILED, AND WHAT I FELT ON MY FOOT WAS ANTI-FREEZE. FORTUNATELY I HAD SHOES ON SO I WAS NOT INJURED. DEALING WITH THE INTERIOR FACING A RAPID "FOG UP" CONDITION WAS POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS. I DIDN'T KNOW SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN!
NHTSA complaint #767466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
AS MY 11 YEAR OLD SON AND I WERE DRIVING SLOWLY, DURING INTERMITTENT COMMUTE TRAFFIC, IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, MY 1993 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO BLEW HOT STEAM AND MOISTURE OUT OF THE VENTING SYSTEM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WINDOWS SUDDENLY FOGGED UP AND I COULD NOT SEE OUT OF THE WINDOWS UNTIL I WIPED THEM DOWN. AFTER WIPING THE WINDOWS DOWN (WHILE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY!) AND VENTING THE STEAM OUT OF THE VENTING SYSTEM AND CHECKING COOLANT SYSTEM, I MOVED OVER TO THE FREEWAY SHOULDER. ANY TIME I USE THE HEATER OR VENT FAN, THE VEHICLES WINDOWS FOG UP IMMEDIATELY. THIS LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL IN PLACE OR THAT A RECALL COULD BE MADE BY STATING THIS INFORMATION. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT I HAVE DRIVEN. MY VW CORRADO IS IN GREAT OVERALL CONDITION. IT IS TAKEN CARE OF QUITE WELL. IT DRIVES FINE, BUT I CAN NO LONGER USE THE HEATER OR VENT SYSTEM. I HAVE HEARD, THROUGH VW CLUBS, ETC. THAT RECALLS WERE INITIATED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #763493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Anselmo, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
THERE WAS SOME FUEL LEAKAGE COMING FROM VEHICLE, IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL RAIL AND CAUSING A FUEL SMELL, DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL LINES. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #896307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHITE THICK GAS WAS COMING FROM VENTS OF VEHICLE. THERE WAS A LITTLE ODOR. ALSO, THICK WHITE GAS MADE VISIBILITY POOR. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER INDICATED PROBLEM WAS HEATER CORE.
NHTSA complaint #895927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorktown, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
WHILE DRIVING COOLING FAN BROKE, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND VEHICLE TO STALL OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE WIRES FOR COOLING FAN HAD BEEN MISROUTED AND NEEDED TO BE CHANGED.
NHTSA complaint #893412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sanfrancisco, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
RADIATOR FAN SEIZED UP, LOUD GRINDING NOISE HEARD, THEN IT STOPPED. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL, ALTHOUGH OTHER VEHICLES IN THE SAME YEAR HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #887584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEATER CORE FAILED SOON AFTER I STARTED ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS COLD. FUMES/VAPOR STARTED COMING FROM THE VENTILATION SYSTEM INTO THE CAR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 1990 CORRADOS (NHTSA 96V115000 CORRADO RECALL) BUT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR LATER MODELS, DESPITE SIMILAR FAILURES REPORTED BY OTHER CORRADO OWNERS (AFTER 1990).
NHTSA complaint #736312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Olympia, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WATER PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER ONCE, AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE COOLING SYSTEM, HOWEVER, WATER PUMP WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER THE CORRECTIVE ACTION.
NHTSA complaint #873332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Wayne, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #728358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ORO Valley, AR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
AFTER HEATER CORE FAILURE REPAIRS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INTERMITENT ELECTRICAL FUNCTION . CHECKED TO FIND COOLANT DAMAGE AND ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE DUE TO THREAT OF ELECTRICIAL SHORT LEADING TO DASH FIRE .
NHTSA complaint #727757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ORO Valley, AR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
AFTER REPAIRS ON HEATER CORE RECALL.NOW THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCING INTERMITENT ELECTRICAL FUNCTION IN DASH .
NHTSA complaint #727779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AR1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
HEATER CORE EXPLOTED STEAM AND ANTIFREEZ INTO INTERIOR OF CAR FLOOR AND THROUGH THE DUCTS. NOTE NOT ONLY THE HEATER CORE THAT FAILS BUT ALSO OTHER COOLANT COMPONETS ,INSTALL COOLANT PRESSURE THROTTLE .
NHTSA complaint #727670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middle Town, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND ENGINE OVERHEATED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMTON.
NHTSA complaint #857121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
THIS SERVES AS NOTIFICATION OF AN INCIDENT WHICH I WAS URGED TO REPORT TO THE NHTSA VIA THE CORRADO CLUB OF AMERICA. THE OFFICIAL NHTSA INVESTIGATION NUMBER IS EA98-012. THE INCIDENT WAS NOT REPORTED TO VW OF AMERICA BY MYSELF, BUT PERHAPS BY THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED THE REPAIRS; VW OF SANTA MONICA WHOSE SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT. I WAS NOT CHARGED FOR MAIN PARTS OR LABOR, ONLY MINOR ITEMS SUCH AS GASKETS AND COOLANT. I ONLY HOPE THAT THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL AS THIS OCCURED AT A MOST INCONVENIENT TIME.
NHTSA complaint #701679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Brunswick, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. DEALER/MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT VEHCLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 95V178000 ENGINE COOLING FAN. VEHICLE HAS THE SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #852962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marlboro, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I HAD CHECKED BEFORE HAND IF MY HEATER CORE WAS UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL FOR 93 CORRADOS, BUT IT WASN'T. NOW MY HEATER CORE IS HAVING PROBLEMS AND LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE $600 THE DEALER IS ASKING FOR PUTTING IN A $60 PRODUCT. THEREFORE I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO EXCHANGE THE HEATER CORE MYSELF WHICH IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR PAIN.
NHTSA complaint #712362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE HEATER CORE FAILED, ALLOWING FLUIDS AND STEAM TO RELEASE INTO THE INSDE OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE VENTS . VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98V295000. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #847649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.