1989 VOLKSWAGEN FOX

2 recalls, 12 complaints - 1 TSBs

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
164,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
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.
104,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Complaint Statistics

12 total complaints 1 crashes

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM3
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Nov 19, 1999
Incident date: Feb 19, 1999
CONSUMER WHILE DRIVING WOULD LOSE POWER. COMPUTER SYSTEM WENT CRAZY, OIL LIGHT/BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS IT WOULD BE OKAY. THEN IT WOULD START ACTING UP AGAIN. DEALER SAID CAR NEEDED HEATING VALVES. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY Nov 19, 1999
Incident date: Feb 19, 1999
CONSUMER WHILE DRIVING WOULD LOSE POWER. COMPUTER SYSTEM WENT CRAZY, OIL LIGHT/BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS IT WOULD BE OKAY. THEN IT WOULD START ACTING UP AGAIN. DEALER SAID CAR NEEDED HEATING VALVES. *AK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Nov 19, 1999
Incident date: Feb 19, 1999
CONSUMER WHILE DRIVING WOULD LOSE POWER. COMPUTER SYSTEM WENT CRAZY, OIL LIGHT/BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS IT WOULD BE OKAY. THEN IT WOULD START ACTING UP AGAIN. DEALER SAID CAR NEEDED HEATING VALVES. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE Nov 19, 1999
Incident date: Feb 19, 1999
CONSUMER WHILE DRIVING WOULD LOSE POWER. COMPUTER SYSTEM WENT CRAZY, OIL LIGHT/BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS IT WOULD BE OKAY. THEN IT WOULD START ACTING UP AGAIN. DEALER SAID CAR NEEDED HEATING VALVES. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Sep 8, 1999
DEFECTIVE COOLING SYSTEM--RECALL. WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL Sep 1, 1999
THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP EARLIER THIS YEAR BECUASE THE ECU HAD FIALED. DEALERSHIP ALSO TOLD ME THAT MY HEATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE A CLOUDY SUBSTANCE WAS ENTERING THE CAR THROUGH THE VENTS ALONG WITH A PECULIAR ODOR. THE CAR RUNS EXTREMELY HOT, ALTHOUGH THERE IS PLENTY OF COOL... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Mar 24, 1997
SERVICE BULLETIN WORK DONE UNSATISFACTORY, STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH COOLING SYSTEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE Sep 19, 1996
Incident date: Dec 12, 1995
H A BOYDE AND LANCASTER AUTO HOUSE VOLSKWAGEN 95V105. UNFORTUNATELY REPAIR FOR RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM, DRIVER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE BACK ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE Jun 28, 1996
Incident date: Oct 24, 1995
BENT HEATER HOSE CAUSES DEFROSTER TO FAIL, OBSCURING VISION OCCASIONALLY. *DH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Apr 25, 1996
Incident date: Sep 18, 1995
MUFFLER SYSTEM FELL APART/HUNG UP ON REAR TIRE, CAUSING ACCIDENT.(OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT) *SD
Crash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING Nov 28, 1995
Incident date: Sep 28, 1995
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKS WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. TT
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH May 24, 1995
Incident date: May 23, 1995
MAIN LATCH CAME LOOSE, PLASTIC LATCH BROKE AND FLEW BACK, STRICKING AND BREAKING WINDSHIELD, BUCKLED HOOD AND BROKE HINGES. TT

EPA Fuel Economy, 1989 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.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1989 VOLKSWAGEN FOX

1 manufacturer communications from 1 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
220000 SEATS1
0101 Jun 12, 2001
220000 SEATS
SUBJECT REGARDING LATCH SYSTEM LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN, INSTALLING / RETROFITTING. *TT

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
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1987
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

VOLKSWAGEN FOX - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
1993 2 29 View
1992 2 8 View
1991 3 1 View
1990 2 16 View
1989 (current) 2 12
1988 2 24 View
1987 3 15 View

Other VOLKSWAGEN Models

Model Recalls Complaints
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PASSAT 185 10,492 View
BEETLE 157 3,629 View
GTI 116 1,926 View
ID.4 115 1,606 View
ATLAS 101 2,700 View
TIGUAN 78 3,173 View