1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX
2 recalls, 24 complaints
95V105000 May 23, 1995
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
A LEAK OR FAILURE OF THE HEAT EXCHANGER LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD CAN ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE FEET OF A PASSENGER. HOT COOLANT CAN ALSO STEAM UP THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
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 THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ENSURE THAT THE PASSENGER IS NOT EXPOSED TO HOT COOLANT IN ... Read more
88V187000 Dec 1, 1988
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
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.
Complaint Statistics
24 total complaints
1 crashes 1 injuries
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 5 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE | 5 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 |
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Jul 8, 2009
Incident date: Jul 7, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST ALL BRAKING FUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED ... Read more
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
Feb 13, 2004
Incident date: Feb 13, 2004
WHILE DRIVING COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH DASHBOARD ON DRIVER'S FEET. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEATER COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
Sep 17, 2002
Incident date: Jul 17, 2002
WHILE DRIVING THE HOOD UNEXPECTEDLY POPPED UP AND BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. *YH BOTH HINGES SECURING THE HOOD HAD BROKEN FROM STRESS. *SCC
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Sep 27, 2001
Incident date: Jun 29, 2001
CONSUMER STATES WINDSHILED WAS CRACKED, AS A RESULT OF GRAVEL BEING DUMPED ON THE HIGHWAY.*JB
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
Feb 2, 2000
Incident date: Jan 20, 2000
PRESSURE FUEL HOSE WAS CRACKED AND SEEPING GASOLINE. IMMINENT LEAK/FIRE HAZARD. *AK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
Nov 29, 1999
FRONT HOOD LATCH FAILED AND THE HOOD SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. YH
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
Oct 4, 1999
Incident date: Oct 1, 1999
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT HEATER CORE BLEW UP, CAUSING ANTI-FREEZE TO SPRAY ON THE CONSUMER AND FAMILY, AND SMOKE SPARKS WERE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Sep 24, 1999
THE VEHICLE GEARS WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE INSTEAD IT GOES INTO FIRST GEAR. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN. MJS
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Jul 30, 1999
FRONT WINDSHIELD LEAKS CONTINUALLY CAUSING RUST DAMAGE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. MJS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Mar 25, 1999
Incident date: Aug 1, 1997
ANTIFREEZE ODOR PRESENT IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, HOWEVER DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO INSTALL HEATER BYPASS VALVE UNDER RECALL DUE TO AN AFTER MARKET AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM BEING INSTALLED ON VEHICLE. CONSUMER INSISTS THE A/C SYSTEM WAS ON THE VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED. (95V-105)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Jan 21, 1999
HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL RECALL 95V105000. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & HAD THE COOLING SYSTEM REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SOMETIMES LATER, SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM COOLING SYSTEM AREA. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THEN CONTACTED THE DEALER. VEHICLE WILL BE GOING ON JAN. 22, 1999. ... Read more
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
May 20, 1998
ODOR OF ANTI-FREEZE SOLUTION IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT,.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Feb 18, 1998
Incident date: Oct 1, 1995
DEALER DO NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK, INSTALL HEATER BYPASS VALVE.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
Jan 6, 1998
Incident date: Dec 28, 1997
HOOD LATCH FAILED CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP AND SMASH INTO WINDSHIELD.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Dec 31, 1996
Incident date: Oct 22, 1996
VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR BY ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE, UPON IMPACT VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL/OVERTURNED, ROOF COLLAPSED ON THE DRIVER SIDE, CAUSING INJURY.
1 injured
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
Sep 30, 1996
Incident date: Nov 19, 1995
HEATER CORE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
Jun 1, 1996
Incident date: Nov 17, 1995
RADIATOR LEAK PRIOR TO RECALL. *SD
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
Jun 1, 1996
Incident date: Jan 10, 1996
HEATER CORE REPLACED AFTER RECALL. *SD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
Jan 25, 1996
Incident date: Aug 13, 1995
BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE. *AK
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
Nov 17, 1995
THE HEATER CORE RUNS HOTTER THAN BEFORE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Nov 6, 1995
CONSUMER RECEIVE RECALL 95V105000 9/95 LETTER STATES PART WOULD BE IN BY AUG 31,1995 IS HAVING THAT PROBLEM PLUS OTHER PROBLEM WITH CAR . TT
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Oct 26, 1995
Incident date: May 1, 1994
DRIVESHAFT DISCONNECTED FROM TRANSMISSION, RESULTING IN VEHICLE BEING REAR ENDED. *TW
Crash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Oct 12, 1995
#95V105000 RECEIVE RECALL CALL DEALER TO MAKE APPT THERE ARE NO PARTS CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEM HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT . TT
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
May 2, 1995
Incident date: Apr 29, 1995
WHILE DRIVING, HOOD FLEW UP THEN BROKE OFF. TT
EPA Fuel Economy, 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX
| Trim / Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | Fuel Type | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) | 22.0 | 27.0 | 24.0 | Regular | $2,550 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) | 21.0 | 26.0 | 23.0 | Regular | $2,650 |
CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Subcompact Cars)
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.
NHTSA Safety Investigations, VOLKSWAGEN FOX
Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.
PE88102
Opened: Sep 15, 1988 , Closed: Jan 5, 1989
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
There is no summary currently available
VOLKSWAGEN FOX - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the VOLKSWAGEN FOX across all model years (1987, 1993).
16
Total Recalls
107
Total Complaints
1
Investigations
2
Reported Crashes
3
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths