FaultScore

Worst years for a Volkswagen Volkswagen

Owners have filed 89 complaints about the Volkswagen Volkswagen with NHTSA across model years 1965 to 2003. More of them are about the engine & cooling than anything else.

Avoid

2001 Volkswagen Volkswagen

11 complaints — the highest FaultScore of any year, mostly engine & cooling.

Cleanest on record

1997 Volkswagen Volkswagen

10 complaints — the lowest FaultScore of the graded years.

Every Volkswagen Volkswagen year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
2003 5 0 0 Engine & Cooling
2002 7 1 0 Transmission & Drivetrain
2001 C 11 1 0 58,000 Engine & Cooling
2000 C 17 0 1 60,000 Engine & Cooling
1999 5 0 0 Brakes
1998 2 0 0 Airbags
1997 A 10 0 0 Electrical System
1996 9 0 0 Electrical System
1995 4 1 0 Brakes
1994 4 0 0 Electrical System
1992 5 0 0 Engine & Cooling
1991 1 0 0 Body & Structure
1990 1 1 0 Acceleration & Cruise Control
1987 4 1 0 Engine & Cooling
1978 1 0 0 Other & Unspecified
1971 1 0 0 Tires
1965 2 0 0 Tires

What breaks on a Volkswagen Volkswagen

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Engine & Cooling 18 20.2%

Worst in 2000

Electrical System 16 18.0%

Worst in 1996

Brakes 10 11.2%

Worst in 2001

Transmission & Drivetrain 9 10.1%

Worst in 2002

Tires 6 6.7%

Worst in 1997

Equipment & Accessories 5 5.6%

Worst in 1995

Airbags 3 3.4%

Worst in 1998

Suspension 3 3.4%

Worst in 2000

Acceleration & Cruise Control 3 3.4%

Worst in 1990

Fuel & Propulsion 3 3.4%

Worst in 1987

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 3 3.4%

Worst in 1997

Seats 3 3.4%

Worst in 1987

Steering 2 2.2%

Worst in 1996

Body & Structure 2 2.2%

Worst in 1991

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every Volkswagen Volkswagen, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Apr 1996 peak 4 Mar 2010

Compare the Volkswagen Volkswagen

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.