Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1993 Volkswagen FOX
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
931.0%
Median failure at 90,000 miles
Seat Belts
517.2%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
413.8%
Electrical System
413.8%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 90,000 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
413.8%
Fuel & Propulsion
310.3%
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 6Mar 2004
Recalls on the 1993 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.
United States — NHTSA
95V105000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
IN THE EVENT OF A COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENT FAILURE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE COOLANT CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING THE COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TO RISE TO A LEVEL WHERE A LEAK IN THE HEAT EXCHANGER CAN OCCUR.
Risk: A LEAK OR FAILURE OF THE HEAT EXCHANGER LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD CAN ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE FEET OF A PASSENGER. HOT COOLANT CAN ALSO STEAM UP THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR 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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Norfolk, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
TRAVELING 45MPH, STARTED TO SMELL GAS. HEARD AN EXPLOSION. STOPPED & GOT OUT OF VEHICLE. NOTICED SMOKE THEN FLAMES. FIRE DEPT. CALLED & PUT FLAMES OUT. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD WAS BURNED OR MELTED.
NHTSA complaint #825092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 90,000 milesRiverdale, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
WHILE TRAVELING A LONG DISTANCE, THE VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS, THE AIRFLOW SENSOR, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER ASSEMBLY. *AK THE PREVIOUSLY LOST 2-3 QUARTS OF OIL FRONT OIL SEAL FAILED, FUSES KEPT FAILING AT THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC THE OIL SEALS AND WATER PUMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10065037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesRiverdale, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WHILE TRAVELING A LONG DISTANCE, THE VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS, THE AIRFLOW SENSOR, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER ASSEMBLY. *AK THE PREVIOUSLY LOST 2-3 QUARTS OF OIL FRONT OIL SEAL FAILED, FUSES KEPT FAILING AT THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC THE OIL SEALS AND WATER PUMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10065037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesRiverdale, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE TRAVELING A LONG DISTANCE, THE VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS, THE AIRFLOW SENSOR, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER ASSEMBLY. *AK THE PREVIOUSLY LOST 2-3 QUARTS OF OIL FRONT OIL SEAL FAILED, FUSES KEPT FAILING AT THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC THE OIL SEALS AND WATER PUMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10065037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Devore Heights, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT UPPER TORSO BUCKLE STICKS OUT, IT IS JUST A FEW INCHES FROM THE HEAD.
NHTSA complaint #10009609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
CONSUMER HAD RECALL 95V105000 REPAIRS DONE IN 1995, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO HEAT EXCHANGER UNDERNEATH DASH. WOULD ALSO LEAK UNDERNEATH PASSENGER'S SEAT. STEAM FROM COOLANT COMES THROUGH VENTS. CAN'T SEE TO DRIVE. DEALER CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #8007490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chelsa, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE IS LEAKING COOLANT UNDERNEATH AND IN ENGINE AREA. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK RADIATOR AND HEATER CORE ARE DEFECTIVE CAUSING COOLANT TO SPLASH ALL OVER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #8007459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE IS LEAKING COOLANT UNDERNEATH AND IN ENGINE AREA. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK RADIATOR AND HEATER CORE ARE DEFECTIVE CAUSING COOLANT TO SPLASH ALL OVER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #8007459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AND TRYING TO TURN ON HEATER. FLUID STARTED COMING OUT OF VENTS ONTO PASSENGERS OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #8002452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norcross, GA
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY FOUND OUT THAT CLUTCH WAS HARD TO PRESS. CLUTCH PLATE FELL OFF, CAUSING CLUTCH SYSTEM TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #862056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia Beach, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #720313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jaffrey, NH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING HEAT EXCHANGER FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 95V105000 DEALER AND MANUFAFCTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #853780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norfolk, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
TRAVELING 45MPH, STARTED TO SMELL GAS. HEARD AN EXPLOSION. STOPPED & GOT OUT OF VEHICLE. NOTICED SMOKE THEN FLAMES. FIRE DEPT. CALLED & PUT FLAMES OUT. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD WAS BURNED OR MELTED.
NHTSA complaint #825092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakeside, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD RESERVOIR DISINTEGRATED.
NHTSA complaint #535595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakeside, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY FAILED TWICE, SECOND TIME ALTERNATOR FAILED CAUSING DAMAGE TO BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint #535595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakeside, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
CONSUMER HAD TO TIE MUFFLER AND TAIL PIPE TO CAR, DUE TO DISINTEGRATED RUBBER PART THAT HELD UNIT TO VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #535595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakeside, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP FAILED. GAS HOSES DISNTEGRATED CAUSING GAS TO LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #535595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakeside, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL PUMP FAILED. GAS HOSES DISNTEGRATED CAUSING GAS TO LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #535595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakeside, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
BATTERY FAILED TWICE, SECOND TIME ALTERNATOR FAILED CAUSING DAMAGE TO BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint #535595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seymour, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
HOT COOLANT ESCAPED INT PASSENGER SIDE, RECALL DIDNOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, COLLANT STILL COMES ON THE PASSENAGER SHOES.
NHTSA complaint #522269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cockeysville, MD
POWER TRAIN
SPEEDOMETER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #526916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #526916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seymour, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM: RECALL #95V105; HAD THE WORK DONE LAST YEAR AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN ON 7-22-97.
NHTSA complaint #815567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterbury, CT
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPER FIXTURE LOOSENED, CAUSING WIPERS TO BECOME ENTANGLED.
NHTSA complaint #506962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester HI, MI
SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS LOCK INTO THE UNIT AND WILL NOT COME OUT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS BEEN REPLACED. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN DETAIL.
NHTSA complaint #803955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whitfield, NH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT AND SHOULDER BELT FAILURE, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE MANUAL SEAT BELTS ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE ARE VERY LOOSE, THEY DO NOT LOCK IN PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #802565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.