Owners have filed 24 complaints
about the 1988 Volkswagen FOX with NHTSA between 1995 and 2009.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1988 Volkswagen FOX
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
729.2%
Engine & Cooling
625.0%
Body & Structure
312.5%
Doors, Latches & Locks
28.3%
Brakes
28.3%
Median failure at 164,955 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
28.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Equipment & Accessories
14.2%
Fuel & Propulsion
14.2%
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.
May 1995peak 2Jul 2009
NHTSA investigations into the 1988 Volkswagen FOX
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.
EA91054Opened 9 Dec 1991Closed 12 Jun 1992VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
HEATER CORE FAILURE
Recalls on the 1988 Volkswagen FOX
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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199509436,785 units in Canada
Heater And Defroster
DEFECT: IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED AFTER A COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENT HAS FAILED, THE COOLANT COULD OVERHEAT CAUSING THE COOLING SYSTEM'S PRESSURE TO RISE TO A LEVEL WHERE A LEAK IN THE HEAT EXCHANGER COULD OCCUR. THIS COULD ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE FEET OF A PASSENGER OR STEAM UP THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. CORRECTION: A BYPASS VALVE KIT AND A PLASTIC COVER UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL BE INSTALLED.
Recall 199114835,720 units in Canada
Structure
THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MECHANISM MAY CORRODE AND SEIZE DUE TO IMPROPER LUBRICATION. IF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH WAS NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED AND THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH WAS ALSO NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD FLY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION RESULTING IN IMPAIRED DRIVER VISION AND A POSSIBLE CRASH. CORRECTION: OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED BY MAIL OF CORRECT MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES FOR THE HOOD LATCH MECHANISM.
Recall 198816129,784 units in Canada
Steering
THE STEERING WHEEL ON THESE VEHICLES MAY LOOSEN ON THE STEERING SHAFT. WHEN A STEERING WHEEL IS REMOVED AFTER ASSEMBLY AND REINSTALLED, GREASE OR OIL MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY APPLIED TO THE CONE-SHAPED FRICTION SURFACE OF THE STEERING SHAFT. GREASE OF OIL ON THIS SURFACE MAY BREAK THE FRICTION LOCK IF AFTER REWORK THE TORQUE APPLIED TO THE NUT IS LOWER THAN SPECIFIED. A LOOSE STEERING WHEEL COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH. CORRECTION: FRICTION SURFACES WILL BE CLEANED, A SPRING RETAINER WILL BE INSTALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL NUT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SELF LOCKING NUT. VIN RANGE: 9BW*A030*HP000001 TO KP009988
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Gaithersbu, MD1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR BY ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE, UPON IMPACT VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL/OVERTURNED, ROOF COLLAPSED ON THE DRIVER SIDE, CAUSING INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #511892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakeside, CACrash
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
DRIVESHAFT DISCONNECTED FROM TRANSMISSION, RESULTING IN VEHICLE BEING REAR ENDED.
NHTSA complaint #488160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 164,955 milesHazel Crest, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST ALL BRAKING FUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION FROM THE METAL BRAKE LINE TO THE REAR RIGHT SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 164,955 UPDATED 8/3/09 *CN UPDATED 08/05/09.
NHTSA complaint #10276078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH DASHBOARD ON DRIVER'S FEET. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEATER COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10059130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oregon, WI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
WHILE DRIVING THE HOOD UNEXPECTEDLY POPPED UP AND BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. *YH BOTH HINGES SECURING THE HOOD HAD BROKEN FROM STRESS. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #567359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
CONSUMER STATES WINDSHILED WAS CRACKED, AS A RESULT OF GRAVEL BEING DUMPED ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #785499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Metairie, LA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
PRESSURE FUEL HOSE WAS CRACKED AND SEEPING GASOLINE. IMMINENT LEAK/FIRE HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #718188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
FRONT HOOD LATCH FAILED AND THE HOOD SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. YH
NHTSA complaint #604502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT HEATER CORE BLEW UP, CAUSING ANTI-FREEZE TO SPRAY ON THE CONSUMER AND FAMILY, AND SMOKE SPARKS WERE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #849775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WI
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE VEHICLE GEARS WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE INSTEAD IT GOES INTO FIRST GEAR. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN. MJS
NHTSA complaint #848658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middleton, WI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
FRONT WINDSHIELD LEAKS CONTINUALLY CAUSING RUST DAMAGE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. MJS
NHTSA complaint #545786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northlake, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ANTIFREEZE ODOR PRESENT IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, HOWEVER DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO INSTALL HEATER BYPASS VALVE UNDER RECALL DUE TO AN AFTER MARKET AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM BEING INSTALLED ON VEHICLE. CONSUMER INSISTS THE A/C SYSTEM WAS ON THE VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED. (95V-105)
NHTSA complaint #522268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL RECALL 95V105000. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & HAD THE COOLING SYSTEM REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SOMETIMES LATER, SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM COOLING SYSTEM AREA. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THEN CONTACTED THE DEALER. VEHICLE WILL BE GOING ON JAN. 22, 1999.
NHTSA complaint #833838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northlake, IL
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
ODOR OF ANTI-FREEZE SOLUTION IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT,.
NHTSA complaint #522268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
DEALER DO NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK, INSTALL HEATER BYPASS VALVE.
NHTSA complaint #487590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boston, MA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
HOOD LATCH FAILED CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP AND SMASH INTO WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA complaint #527812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gaithersbu, MD1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR BY ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE, UPON IMPACT VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL/OVERTURNED, ROOF COLLAPSED ON THE DRIVER SIDE, CAUSING INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #511892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.