Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 1993 Volkswagen Golf with NHTSA between 1995 and 1999.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 22 of 25 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 7
Against the median year of the Volkswagen Golf. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 47
9.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1993 compares with every other Volkswagen Golf
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 Golf
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
436.4%
Equipment & Accessories
327.3%
Engine & Cooling
218.2%
Fuel & Propulsion
19.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
19.1%
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.
Jul 1995peak 5Aug 1999
Recalls on the 1993 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 199819249,864 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the rear brake line on the passenger side could be routed too close to the corner of the fuel tank. An improperly routed brake line could be damaged by chafing against the fuel tank during extreme axle movement. Such chafing could result in a leaking brake line causing a partial brake system failure and increased stopping distances. Correction: Dealers will check the routing of the right rear brake line and replace any damaged brake line.
Recall 199815864,460 units in Canada
Structure
THE BOLTS SECURING THE FRONT HOOD LATCH MAY LOSE THEIR SPECIFIED FASTENING TORQUE OVER TIME. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, THE LATCH COULD MOVE OUT OF ITS DESIGN POSITION AND CAUSE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE HOOD STRIKER FROM THE LATCH. IN SOME VEHICLES THE LATCH MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ALIGNED DURING PRODUCTION. REPEATED OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE HOOD WITH AN IMPROPERLY ALIGNED LATCH COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE LATCH. EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN HOOD FLY UP AND OBSTRUCTION OF THE DRIVER'S VISION. CORRECTION: HOOD LATCHES AND SECURING BOLTS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
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 199504835,589 units in Canada
Other
A SHARP RIDGE ON THE JACK SPINDLE COULD DAMAGE THE INSIDE THREAD OF THE SCISSOR SHOE WHEN THE JACK IS USED TO LIFT THE VEHICLE. IF THE DAMAGE TO THE THREAD OF THE SCISSOR SHOE IS SERIOUS ENOUGH, THE JACK COULD COLLAPSE WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT A PERSON STANDING TOO CLOSE THE VEHICLE COULD BE INJURED. CORRECTION: JACKS WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recall 1993009733 units in Canada
Visual System
DUE TO AN INNER ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COULD CEASE UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS. THIS COULD IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S VISION AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CORRECTION: WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITH AND IMPROVED VERSION.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Portland, ME1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
VEHICLE'S BATTERY EXPLODED AND INJURED A PERSON WHILE TRYING TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE, THE INJURIES INCLUDED LACERATIONS TO THE FACE .
NHTSA complaint #805924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Cape Coral, FL
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
MY A/C WAS DISASSEMBLED AND I'M BEING CHARGED FOR THIS.
NHTSA complaint #710578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Barington, RI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE MOUNTS BROKE ,CAUSING THE ACCLERATOR PEDAL TO GET STUCK WHICH MAY CAUSE SUDDEN ACCLERATION. *AK.ET.
NHTSA complaint #835488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Underhill, VT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
AT LOW SPEEDS THE ENGINES QUITS AND RESTARTS, INTERMITTENT BUCKING. DEALER CONTACTED AND IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. A RECALL ON ONE IGNITION WIRE AND REPAIR WORK WAS DONE. PROBLEM IS THE OTHER FOUR WIRES WHICH AR ENOT COVERED UNDER TO RECALL. ESTIMATED COST. AT $135.00.
NHTSA complaint #828197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RECEIVED RECALL LETTER REGARDING JACK NOT BEING PROPERLY MACHINED DURING MANUFACTURING. WAITING FOR JACK TO BE REPAIRED SINCE NOVEMBER OF 1995. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER NUMEROUS TIMES. 95V-054.
NHTSA complaint #807044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, ME1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
VEHICLE'S BATTERY EXPLODED AND INJURED A PERSON WHILE TRYING TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE, THE INJURIES INCLUDED LACERATIONS TO THE FACE .
NHTSA complaint #805924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albany, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLES STALLS/SURGES ABRUPTLY.
NHTSA complaint #504500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
PCV VALVE FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL/STARTING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #968331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ECM FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL/CRANK/STARTING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #968331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL/CRANK/STARTING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #968331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL/STARTING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #968331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A/C HOSE/VENTS FAIL, CAUSING VAPORS FROM VENTS TO ENTER INTO VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #968331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.