RecallMyCar

Volkswagen Cabriolet Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 44 owner complaints across 7 model years of the Volkswagen Cabriolet (1984–1990). The most-complained-about year is 1987.

6
safety recalls, all years
44
owner complaints, all years
1990
year with most recalls
1987
year with most complaints

Pick your Volkswagen Cabriolet model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet48
1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet29
1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet26
1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet311
1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet13
1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet16
1984 Volkswagen Cabriolet01

What Volkswagen Cabriolet owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA. The 1987 model year has the most, with 11.

All Volkswagen Cabriolet recalls (6)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Volkswagen Cabriolet, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 94V065000 Reported 7,500 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    A crack can develop in the fuel tank adjacent to a seam weld in the rear of the tank.

    Remedy: Dealers will check the vehicle with a specially designed tool for the presence of a tank crack, and replace the fuel tank if the defect is present.

    Model years: 1987, 1988, 1989

  2. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 92V058000 Reported 358,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    The fuel hose attached to the fuel distribution rail on the engine may shrink beyond the clamp force of the fuel hose clamps, allowing fuel to leak.

    Remedy: Replace the fuel hose attached to the fuel rail and install a new spring type self-tightening clamp.

    Model years: 1990

  3. Air bags

    NHTSA 91V215000 Reported 8,500 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    The AIRBAG harness wire may have been improperly routed through an opening in the dashboard crossmember and could be pinched and chafed between two panels eventually resulting in damage to the wire.

    Remedy: Secure wire to the crossmember with a clip.

    Model years: 1990

  4. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 91V201000 Reported 51,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    A crack can develop in the fuel tank adjacent to a seam weld in the rear of the tank.

    Remedy: Check vehicle with a specially designed tool for the presence of a fuel tank crack, and replace fuel tank if defect is found.

    Model years: 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990

  5. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 91V162000 Reported 11,300 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    The center of the water separator panel located in the engine compartment between engine and firewall could bend in the event someone leans on it during engine maintenance, repairs or checking of fluid levels. A bent panel could interfere with the free movement of the accelerator linkage.

    Remedy: Install reinforcement bracket to secure separator panel.

    Model years: 1990

  6. Fuel pump (fuel system)

    NHTSA 87V053000 Reported 278,520 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    Fuel pump, located inside fuel tank, could seize during high ambient temperatures because of an extreme fine mesh fuel filter restricting the fuel flow.

    Remedy: Install a modified fuel pump and filter.

    Model years: 1985, 1986, 1987

Other Volkswagen models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.