1987 Volkswagen Fox Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 1987 Volkswagen Fox, and owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 1987 Volkswagen Fox
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
-
Cooling system (engine and engine cooling)
In the event of a cooling system component failure while the vehicle is driven, the coolant can overheat causing the cooling system pressure to rise to a level where a leak in the heat exchanger can occur.
Remedy: Dealers will install a bypass valve kit which is designed to route excessively hot coolant to the engine without flowing through the heat exchanger. Dealers will also install a plastic cover underneath the dashboard on…
-
Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)
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.
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.
-
Wheels
Under heavy load conditions, the rear tire sidewalls may chafe against the wheel housing.
Remedy: Install a different type sport wheels or install standard wheels.
10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1987 Volkswagen Fox have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 1996 with 3 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The consumers vehicle experienced the symptoms of recall #95-v-10-5000 but the vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. Recall description: in the event of a cooling system component failure”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 17, 2003 · Engine and engine cooling
“I own an '87 volkswagen fox. I'm told by many people that there was a recall on the coolant bypass valve. I've taken the car to a couple VW dealerships and also called vwoa and they tell me my car was”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 2, 2003 · Engine and engine cooling
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1987 Volkswagen Fox (Fox GL Wagon). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 25 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 23 / 27 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Small Station Wagons, Subcompact Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.8 L |
| Transmission | Manual 4-spd |
Compare Volkswagen Fox model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Volkswagen Fox model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 Volkswagen Fox | 3 | 10 |
| 1988 Volkswagen Fox | 2 | 23 |
| 1989 Volkswagen Fox | 2 | 9 |
| 1990 Volkswagen Fox | 2 | 15 |
| 1991 Volkswagen Fox | 3 | 1 |
| 1992 Volkswagen Fox | 2 | 5 |
| 1993 Volkswagen Fox | 2 | 18 |
Checking a specific 1987 Volkswagen Fox
How do I know if my 1987 Volkswagen Fox 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. 3 campaigns currently list the 1987 Volkswagen Fox; 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 87V162000).
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.