Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 1985 Volkswagen Golf with NHTSA between 1995 and 1999.
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 1985 Volkswagen Golf
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
533.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain
320.0%
Fuel & Propulsion
213.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control
213.3%
Engine & Cooling
213.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Equipment & Accessories
16.7%
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.
Sep 1995peak 4Jun 1999
NHTSA investigations into the 1985 Volkswagen Golf
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 1985 Volkswagen Golf
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 1992149300,000 units in Canada
Structure
CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT MAY PREVENT THE HOOD LATCH AND THE SAFETY CATCH FROM WORKING PROPERLY. THIS COULD RESULT IN HOOD FLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION RESULTING IN OBSCURED DRIVER VISION AND A POSSIBLE CRASH. CORRECTION: OWNERS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE ADVISED BY MAIL REGARDING THE NECESSITY FOR PERIODIC LUBRICATION OF THE ENGINE HOOD LATCH MECHANISM. DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO LUBRICATE THE ENGINE HOOD MECHANISM WHENEVER AN AFFECTED VEHICLE IS BEING SERVICED.
Recall 1992057145,236 units in Canada
Heater And Defroster
IF THE ENGINE OVERHEATS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE WALL OF THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, SOME OF THE COOLANT COULD CONTACT THE DRIVER'S FEET, CAUSING INJURY AND STEAM UP THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, IMPAIRING VISIBILITY. CORRECTION: HEAT EXCHANGER WILL BE REPLACED.
Recall 198702025,706 units in Canada
Emissions
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. - INOPERATIVE EGR VALVE -
Recall 198602215,716 units in Canada
Other
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 301 - FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY.
Recall 19850333,357 units in Canada
THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY NOT LOCK IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR IMPACT. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETAIN THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER IN A SAFE POSITION.
RECALLED HEATER CORE FAILED CAUSING ANTIFEEZE TO FLOW FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD ONTO BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR SPLATTERING LIQUID ON DRIVER AND DOG RESULTING IN INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #544186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windham, CTFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #517020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windham Center, CTFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 40 MPH, HEARD A LOUD NOISE; PULLED OVER & STOPPED, TURNED VEHICLE OFF & GOT OUT TO LOOK; SUDDENLY WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, THE VEHICLE EXPLODED & STARTED TO BURN NEAR FUEL TANK AREA; POLICE OFFICER CAME & MADE OUT A REPORT; THE INSURANCE CO. HAS VEHICLE NOW.
NHTSA complaint #812611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Mechanicsburg, PA
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
LACK OF LUBRICATION CAUSES DIFFERENTIAL TO LOCK UP.
NHTSA complaint #839693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RECALLED HEATER CORE FAILED CAUSING ANTIFEEZE TO FLOW FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD ONTO BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR SPLATTERING LIQUID ON DRIVER AND DOG RESULTING IN INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #544186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #544186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loyalton, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
WATER HOSE AND COOLANT HOSES BURST.
NHTSA complaint #544186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Akron, OH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED DUE TO STRESS CRACKS.
NHTSA complaint #527007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windham, CTFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #517020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windham Center, CTFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 40 MPH, HEARD A LOUD NOISE; PULLED OVER & STOPPED, TURNED VEHICLE OFF & GOT OUT TO LOOK; SUDDENLY WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, THE VEHICLE EXPLODED & STARTED TO BURN NEAR FUEL TANK AREA; POLICE OFFICER CAME & MADE OUT A REPORT; THE INSURANCE CO. HAS VEHICLE NOW.
NHTSA complaint #812611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marietta, GA
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
RIGHT FRONT CV JOINTS FAILED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #509815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redding, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP FAILED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #504728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.