1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet, and owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)
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.
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Air bags
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.
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Tank assembly (fuel system)
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.
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Vehicle speed control
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.
8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 1999 with 2 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Consumer never received a recall letter 91v215000 concerning the air bags. The manufacturer refused to send another letter to have the recall repairs performed. The air bag defect has occurred. *ak th”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 15, 2003 · Air bags
“Consumer received recall 91v201000 for fuel tank assembly. The vehicle is leaking gasoline. Dealership inspected vehicle, and problem wasn't solved. Dealership is aware of problem.*ak”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 9, 2002 · Fuel system, gasoline
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 23–25 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 21–22 / 26–29 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Minicompact Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.8 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 3-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Volkswagen Cabriolet model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Volkswagen Cabriolet model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 Volkswagen Cabriolet | 0 | 1 |
| 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet | 1 | 6 |
| 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet | 1 | 3 |
| 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet | 3 | 11 |
| 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet | 2 | 6 |
| 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet | 2 | 9 |
| 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet | 4 | 8 |
Checking a specific 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet
How do I know if my 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Volkswagen dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 91V162000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Volkswagen models
- Jetta10,000 complaints
- Passat7,705 complaints
- Beetle2,596 complaints
- Tiguan2,300 complaints
- Atlas1,999 complaints
- Golf1,439 complaints
- GTI1,405 complaints
- ID.41,007 complaints
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.