NHTSA Recall 88V187000: Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC reported this safety recall to NHTSA on December 1, 1988, covering an estimated 104,000 vehicles. It affects 1987–1989 Volkswagen Fox.

104,000

vehicles potentially affected

model affected

1989

owners notified (February 23)

NHTSA campaign	88V187000
Component	STEERING › STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
Report received	December 1, 1988
Owner notification	February 23, 1989
Initiated by	NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation

Defect

Steering wheel/shaft designed to use surface friction may loose this friction if grease or oil is present on the coneshaped surface of the steering shaft.

Safety risk

If the above condition is present and the steering wheelnut is torqued lower than specified, break of the friction lock could result inloosening and separation of the steering wheel.

Remedy

Remove the steering wheel of vehicles and clean friction surface and install a spring retainer, replace the steering wheel nut with a self locking nut.

Notes

System: steering.vehicle description: passenger cars.

Vehicles covered by recall 88V187000

Make and model	Model years
Volkswagen Fox	1987, 1988, 1989

Being listed here means the campaign covers the model year, not that every car was built with the defect or is still unrepaired. Enter your VIN above to check your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorised dealers. Source: NHTSA, October 2026.