Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
642.9%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 68,000 mi
Engine & Cooling
321.4%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Equipment & Accessories
17.1%
Seats
17.1%
Tires
17.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
17.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain
17.1%
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.
Jun 1995peak 3Mar 2012
NHTSA investigations into the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon
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.
PE93043Opened 5 May 1993Closed 29 Oct 1993VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
OVERHEAD A/C SEPARATION
EA91026Opened 4 Jun 1991Closed 27 Jan 1992STRUCTURE
SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE
PE91050Opened 21 Feb 1991Closed 4 Jun 1991STRUCTURE
SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE
Recalls on the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon
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 198908114 units in Canada
Engine
IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVATED AND A PRESET SPEED IS RESUMED BY OPERATING THE "RESUME" SWITCH, THE TENSION ON THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WILL DECREASE ALLOWING THE CABLE TO SAG. AS A RESULT, THE CABLE COULD BECOME ENTANGLED WITH A WATER PIPE BRACKET AND NOT RETURN TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION. THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. CORRECTION: ACCELERATOR CABLE BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REDESIGNED VERSION WHICH WILL REPOSITION THE ACCELERATOR CABLE.
Recall 19880623,219 units in Canada
Fuel System
THE ADDITIONAL IN-LINE FUEL FILTER BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL PUMP MAY EXPERIENCE FUEL SEEPAGE AT THE SEAM OF THE CASING. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, LEAKED FUEL COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE. CORRECTION: FILTER WILL BE REPLACED WITH A STRAIGHT FUEL HOSE. V.I.N. RANGE: ALSO, THE FUEL HOSE ON THE ENGINE'S RIGHT SIDE, COULD, UNDER CERTAIN CLIMATIC AND DRIVING CONDITIONS, BECOME BRITTLE AND CONSEQUENTLY LEAK FUEL. CORRECTION: THE FUEL HOSE IS TO BE REPLACED WITH IMPROVED PARTS.
Recall 1987117302 units in Canada
Powertrain
ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE SHIFT LEVER LOCKING PIN MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY WELDED TO THE SHIFT LEVER PAWL. DURING FORCEFUL SHIFTING, THE PIN MAY BREAK LOOSE ALLOWING THE SHIFT LEVER TO BE INADVERTENTLY MOVED FROM "D" TO "R" WITHOUT PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTION: SHIFT LOCKING PAWL WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recall 19870432,387 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain Vanagon and Vanagon Synchro, vapors could form in the fuel system during high ambient temperature and become trapped in a fuel filter which is permanently attached inside the fuel tank. If this happens, the fuel flow may become restricted and cause the engine to stall. Engine may also stall when fuel with a higher vapor pressure (up to 14 psi) is used since the main and idle control units are programmed on the basis of fuel with lower vapor pressure. A stalling vehicle in traffic could pose a threat to traffic safety. Correction: install new tank with redesigned fuel filter as well as modified control unit.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Bella Vista, AR1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WAS THROWN OUT OF DRIVER'S SEAT, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS THROWN BACKWARDS CAUSING MINOR INJURIES, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO HOLD ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND MANAGED TO GET VEHICLE BACK UNDER CONTROL, THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED WITH PASSENGER SEAT AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #561195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Castle Rock, COFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER NOTICED A CHANGE IN THE VEHICLE AFTER PULLING OVER ON THE SHOULDER. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. VEHICLE TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA complaint #853968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXFire
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FIRE OCCURED AS A RESULT FROM A GASOLINE LEAK IN THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #508777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Hudleston, VA
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 VOLKSWAGEN VANAGON, EQUIPPED WITH MASTER CRAFT GLACIER GRIP TIRES SIZE: 185/70/ R14. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEELS BEGAN SHAKING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE CHORDS WERE DETACHED FROM THE TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10451794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesHolladay, UT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I BELIEVE AN AGENT OF VOLKSWAGEN FALSIFIED DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO THE RECALL CLOSING AND REPAIR OF MY FATHER'S VW VAN VIN [XXX] . RECALL CAMPAIGN NHTSA #88V-038 AND POSSIBLY 87V-052. THESE ARE PRESENTLY BEING FIXED BY SOUTHTOWNE VW IN SOUTH JORDAN UTAH TO THE TUNE OF ALMOST 3000.00 AT OUR EXPENSE. VOLKSWAGON NEVER SENT MY FATHER, THE ONLY OWNER OF THE VEHICLE ANY RECALL LETTERS, AND IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME THEY ARE NOW FIXING THE RECALLS BUT CHARGING US. THEY SAY THE RECALLS ARE CLOSED AND CANNOT PROVE TO ME THEY WERE FIXED (BECAUSE THEY NEVER WERE) I AND MY FATHER WERE LIED TO ABOUT THIS RIGHT ABOUT THE TIME OF THE RECALLS, BY VOLKSWAGEN INTERMOUNTAIN, THE DEALER HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM. WE WERE TOLD NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE LEAKING GAS, THAT IT WASN'T DANGEROUS, WHEN WE ASKED THEM ABOUT LEAKING GAS. THEY ALSO TOLD MY FATHER NOT TO GO ABOVE 30 RPM'S WHICH IS VERY STRANGE. I WANT AN INVESTIGATION DONE. I WANT EITHER PROOF OF THE VEHICLE BEING REPAIRED (WHICH I KNOW IT WASN'T) FOR FREE BY THE DEALER, OR OUR MONEY BACK FOR THE REPAIRS CURRENTLY BEING DONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY MORE COMPLAINTS FILED ABOUT THIS. *NM UPDATED 07/12/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10165800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesCanada, 00
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL TANK LEAKS OUT OF THE FILLER NECK. *AK WHEN THE ENGINE WAS UNDER HIGH LOAD AND HOT, IT STALLED. (FUEL STARVATION DUE TO RESTRICTION) THE FUEL KEPT DROPPING UNTIL THE 3/6 LEVEL RUBBER GROMMETS WERE CHANGED. THE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING UNDER A HEAVY LOAD AND CLIMBING ON A HOT DAY, IT STARVED FOR FUEL AND LOST POWER. *SCC THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE TANK WAS FILLED, THERE WAS SEEPAGE FROM THE FILLER PIPE.
NHTSA complaint #10038083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Queen Village, NY
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
RECALL 93 V 175 000/AIR CONDITION:HOSE:DUCT:AIR: DEALER;EGC VOLKSWAGEN; NEW HYDE PARK,NY, PHONE# 516/488-2420REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #898395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bella Vista, AR1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WAS THROWN OUT OF DRIVER'S SEAT, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS THROWN BACKWARDS CAUSING MINOR INJURIES, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO HOLD ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND MANAGED TO GET VEHICLE BACK UNDER CONTROL, THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED WITH PASSENGER SEAT AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #561195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester Hills, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
PUMP CORROSION DUE TO STEEL/ALUMINUM INTERATION. STEEL BRACKET CLAMPING ALUMINUM FUEL PUMP CAUSED PUMP CORROSION TO THE EXTENT THAT FUEL LEAKED FROM PUMP CASE
NHTSA complaint #729670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Castle Rock, COFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER NOTICED A CHANGE IN THE VEHICLE AFTER PULLING OVER ON THE SHOULDER. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. VEHICLE TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA complaint #853968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXFire
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FIRE OCCURED AS A RESULT FROM A GASOLINE LEAK IN THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #508777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Skytop, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
OWNER STATES THAT THE THROTTLE STICKS,AND THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES. DRIVER MUST USE CLUTCH TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #812209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conoga Park, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE HEAD GASKET , THE GASKET IS LEAKING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE CONSUMER ALSO NEEDS TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, CONSUMER CONTINUED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #805589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conoga Park, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE HEAD GASKET , THE GASKET IS LEAKING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE CONSUMER ALSO NEEDS TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, CONSUMER CONTINUED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #805589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.