1990 VOLKSWAGEN FOX

2 recalls, 16 complaints - 3 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
92V058000 Apr 14, 1992
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy
REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.
358,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Complaint Statistics

16 total complaints 2 fires

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP3
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING1
POWER TRAIN1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING Mar 29, 2001
Incident date: Feb 28, 2001
WIRES THAT CONTROL CAR BURNED OUT ON HIGHWAY, AND VEHICLE SHOOK AND KEPT CUTTING OFF. FUEL PUMP WAS NOT PUMPING FUEL THROUGH OUT CAR.*AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Mar 29, 2001
Incident date: Feb 28, 2001
WIRES THAT CONTROL CAR BURNED OUT ON HIGHWAY, AND VEHICLE SHOOK AND KEPT CUTTING OFF. FUEL PUMP WAS NOT PUMPING FUEL THROUGH OUT CAR.*AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Jul 25, 2000
LEFT TURN ONLY AND HARD ACCELERATION ENGINE WILL FALTER LIKE STARVED FOR FUEL. WILL OCCUR WITH FULL OR EMPTY FUEL TANK. REPLACED FUEL PUMP TWICE.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jun 3, 1998
RECALL LOCATION.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP Apr 27, 1998
FUEL FILLER FAILURE.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) Jun 9, 1997
OWNER TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN THIRD GEAR AND THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Mar 3, 1997
OWNER STATES WHILE IN THE GAS STATION HIS VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, OWNER NOTES THAT FIRE STARTED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, HE BELIVES IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE FUEL PUMP. *AK
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Nov 4, 1996
Incident date: Oct 17, 1996
RECALL NO- 95V105000, THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM, NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY Sep 11, 1996
Incident date: Sep 8, 1996
THE FUEL TANK CRACKED, CAUSING A LEAK. PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH Aug 28, 1996
Incident date: Jul 11, 1996
DRIVING THE VEHICLE SAW UNDER THE DASH SMOKE, APPARENT ELECTRICAL SHORT, WIRING CAUGHT ON FIRE, VEHICLE COMPLETE BURNED. *AK
Fire
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD Apr 1, 1996
HOOD FLEW UP WHILE DRIVING HIT WINDSHIELD TWICE. PLEASE GIVE MORE DETAILS. *AK
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE Dec 11, 1995
Incident date: Nov 15, 1995
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN RECALL NO 95V105000, DEALER REPLACED HEATER CORE WHICH RUINED THE ENGINE. TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Oct 20, 1995
THE OIL LEAK DEALER FIXED IS STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM PURCHASED USED HAVING MORE PROBLEM . TT`
POWER TRAIN Aug 30, 1995
PURCHASE CAR NEW REPLACED THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD TWO TIMES AND HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM NOW . TT
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE Apr 20, 1995
Incident date: Mar 1, 1995
HEATER CORE FAILED. *SKD
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING Mar 14, 1995
Incident date: Feb 17, 1995
SHOULDER BELT NEEDS TO BE FASTEN TO START THE ENGINE. COPPER WIRES MOVED AND BROKE. TT

EPA Fuel Economy, 1990 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 $2,600
1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 21.0 26.0 23.0 Regular $2,700

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, 1990 VOLKSWAGEN FOX

3 manufacturer communications from 2 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
220000 SEATS1
063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1
161100 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS1
2015831 Aug 28, 2008
063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
VOLKSWAGEN: EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD, REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES. HEAT SHIELDS ARE TO BE INSPECTED AFTER COMPLETION O ANY TYPE OF REPAIR TO THE UNDERBODY (EXHAUST SYSTEM TRANSMISSION, ETC.), AND IF DAMAGED, REPLACED. *PE
2015831 Aug 28, 2008
161100 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
VOLKSWAGEN: EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD, REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES. HEAT SHIELDS ARE TO BE INSPECTED AFTER COMPLETION O ANY TYPE OF REPAIR TO THE UNDERBODY (EXHAUST SYSTEM TRANSMISSION, ETC.), AND IF DAMAGED, REPLACED. *PE
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 (current) 2 16
1989 2 12 View
1988 2 24 View
1987 3 15 View

Other VOLKSWAGEN Models

Model Recalls Complaints
JETTA 249 14,075 View
GOLF 190 2,084 View
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