RecallMyCar

Volkswagen Vanagon Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls and 51 owner complaints across 11 model years of the Volkswagen Vanagon (1980–1991). The most-complained-about year is 1987.

15
safety recalls, all years
51
owner complaints, all years
1987
year with most recalls
1987
year with most complaints

Pick your Volkswagen Vanagon model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1991 Volkswagen Vanagon29
1990 Volkswagen Vanagon213
1989 Volkswagen Vanagon20
1988 Volkswagen Vanagon43
1987 Volkswagen Vanagon713
1986 Volkswagen Vanagon48
1985 Volkswagen Vanagon11
1984 Volkswagen Vanagon02
1982 Volkswagen Vanagon10
1981 Volkswagen Vanagon22
1980 Volkswagen Vanagon30

What Volkswagen Vanagon owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA. The 1987 model year has the most, with 13.

All Volkswagen Vanagon recalls (15)

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

  1. Air conditioner (equipment)

    NHTSA 93V175000 Reported 29,500 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    The plastic material of the center air flow duct, which is fastened by two mounting screws to the ceiling of the passenger compartment, can crack and eventually break.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a reinforcement plate at the connections of both the center and rear air flow ducts.

    Model years: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991

  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, 1991

  3. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 89V067000 Reported 300 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    When using the cruise control the accelerator cable tension may allow the cable to sag and become entangled with the water pipe bracket impeding its return to idle position.

    Remedy: The present accelerator cable bracket will be replaced.

    Model years: 1987, 1988, 1989

  4. Tires

    NHTSA 88V076000 Reported 130 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    Due to improper mounting process, semperit tires 20570r14 mounted on alloy wheel size 6j x 14 could experience tiny cracks in the bead area.

    Remedy: Replace tires as necessary.

    Model years: 1987, 1988

  5. Integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer (equipment) and accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift (equipment)

    NHTSA 88V056000 Reported 600 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    Improper jack furnished with vehicles.

    Remedy: Replace jack with the proper type for vehicle.

    Model years: 1988

  6. Fuel pump (fuel system)

    NHTSA 88V038000 Reported 12,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    In line fuel filter located between the fuel tank and fuel pump could seep fuel at the seam of the plastic casing.

    Remedy: The in line fuel filter will be replaced with a straight fuel hose.

    Model years: 1986, 1987

  7. Mid/rear assembly (seats)

    NHTSA 87V083000 Reported 2,397 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    Seat brackets which anchor rearward passenger seats may not engage properly.

    Remedy: Assure that seat brackets are properly engaged.

    Model years: 1987

  8. Automatic transmission (power train)

    NHTSA 87V085000 Reported 1,600 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    Pin in shift locking pawl may not be properly welded to the pawl.

    Remedy: Replace shift locking pawl.

    Model years: 1987

  9. Filler pipe and cap (fuel system)

    NHTSA 87V051000 Reported 339 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    Fuel tank filler neck pipe may not seat properly in the fuel tank opening. Also, the sending unit cover may be deformed.

    Remedy: Install a redesigned filler neck pipe and replace the sending unit gasket.

    Model years: 1986

  10. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 87V052000 Reported 15,500 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    Usage of fuel with reid pressure up to 14 PSI could, under high engine load and high ambient temperatures, lead to stalling.

    Remedy: Install a new fuel tank, containing a redesigned fuel filter, as well as modified control units.

    Model years: 1986, 1987

  11. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 85V152000 Reported 18,328 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    The latch of the passenger side sliding door may become damaged if excessive force is used to close the door. The damaged door lock mechanism will not properly engage and the door could open if vehicle is driven over bumpy roads. Consequence of defect: if this occurs there is a possibility that a passenger could fall out causing injury…

    Remedy: Modify the sliding door lock assembly so door will properly engage.

    Model years: 1985

  12. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 84V084000 Reported 16,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    Spring, which holds the latch on the front door locks, may break and door may open unexpectedly.

    Remedy: Springs will be replaced on all affected locks without charge.

    Model years: 1981, 1982

  13. Slide-in camper (equipment)

    NHTSA 81V076000 Reported 92 vehicles potentially affected COUNTRY HOMES CAMPER CO.

    During vehicle operation, the pop top could loosen from its anchor due to wind pressure. It could open and separate entirely from the vehicle.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, modify anchorages to make sure pop top will be secured under normal operating conditions.

    Model years: 1980, 1981

  14. Defroster/defogger/hvac system (visibility)

    NHTSA 80V080000 Reported 2,287 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    The auxiliary heater"s exhaust pipe is mounted in a downward position toward the ground.

    Remedy: Dealer will remove the existing pipe and install a modified pipe with a shield over the end, without charge to owner.

    Model years: 1980

  15. Suspension: upper ball joint

    NHTSA 79V270000 Reported 2,572 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    The bolts which attach each left and right side front ball joint to the upper wishbone, may not have been sufficiently tightened during assembly. This could cause the ball joint to separate from the wishbone.

    Remedy: The dealer will tighten the ball joint bolts to the correct specifications at no cost to owner.

    Model years: 1980

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.