1989 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

4 recalls, 41 complaints - 1 TSBs

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Defect Description

CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, P/N 171.611.107B, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1975-1985 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RABBIT; 1985-1992 VW GOLF; AND 1980-1992 VW JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD OCCUR WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STAN... Read more

Consequence

BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE BRAKE HOSES WITH COMPLIANT BRAKE HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS AT 305-885-8646 EXT. 11.

266 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Defect Description

AN ENGINE PREHEATING TUBE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SUPPORTED DUE TO A MISSING SUPPORT BRACKET, CAUSING THE PREHEATING TUBE TO CHAFE AGAINST THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE. THIS CAN DAMAGE THE HYDRAULIC LINE, CAUSING BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE AND DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT.

Consequence

DIMINISHED BRAKING CAN RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PREHEATING TUBE SUPPORT BRACKET TO ENSURE PROPER POSITIONING RELATIVE TO THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE.

76,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

Defect Description

THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

Consequence

THE COOLANT ESCAPING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULDCONTACT THE DRIVER'S FEET AND INJURE THE DRIVER. ALSO, STEAM FROM THE HEATEDLIQUID WILL CLOUD ON THE WINDOW SURFACES AND IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S VISION ANDCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE THE HEATER CORE WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER CORE.

650,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

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

41 total complaints 2 crashes 4 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	5
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE	4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE	2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING	2
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT	2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT	2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY	2
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM	1

Incident date: May 18, 2004

HEATER CORE IS LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE FLOOR BOARDS. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY RESULT IN VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE. *AK *NM

Incident date: Mar 1, 2001

CONSUMER IS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF HER BELT RESTRAINTS. THEY ONLY CONSIST OF SHOULDER BELTS THAT DO NOT PROVIDE ANY RESTRAINT, NO LAP BELTS. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS UNSAFE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE LOCAL VW DEALER SHIP TO NO AVAIL. *JG

Incident date: Mar 1, 2001

I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER OF THE 1989 VW GOLF. IT ONLY CAME WITH A SHOULDER-TYPE SEATBELT (NO LAPBELTS) FOR THE FRONT SEATS. I RECENTLY BROUGHT MY CAR IN THE THE GARAGE FOR THE YEARLY INSPECTION AND THE MAN SAID HE COULD NOT INSPECT THE CAR BECAUSE IT HAD NO LAP BELTS. MY QUESTION IS: DID VW FORGET... Read more

WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 20 DEGREES OR COLDER THROTTLE IS STICKING, CAUSING UNWANTED AND UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. ALSO, WHEN DEPRESSING CLUTCH, ENGINE REEVES UP. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. *AK

CONSUMER PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE WHICH HAD AN UNSAFE INCOMPLETE SEAT BELT (THE LAP BELT WAS MISSING), THE SALESMAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A LAP BELT BUT AFTER ASKING VW DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MADE WITHOUT A LAP BELT. NLM

Incident date: Aug 23, 2000

HEATER CORE EXPLODED THROUGH FLOOR OF CAR ON INTERSTATE 5, SENDING BOILING HOT WATER ONTO DRIVER'S RIGHT FOOT, SEVERELY BURNING FOOT AND FILLING CAR WITH DIRTY STEAM AND REDUCING VISION TO ZERO, CAUSING COLLISION WITH FREEWAY BARRIER WALL

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Aug 23, 2000

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: May 15, 2000

PEDALS FRAME WAS NOT PROPERLY WELDED TO BODY FRAME CAUSING FRAME TO TWIST WHEN BRAKE OR CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED LEADING TO THE BREAKING OF THE FRAME.*AK

Incident date: May 15, 2000

PEDALS FRAME WAS NOT PROPERLY WELDED TO BODY FRAME CAUSING FRAME TO TWIST WHEN BRAKE OR CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED LEADING TO THE BREAKING OF THE FRAME.*AK

Incident date: May 20, 1998

THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER RESTRAINT FAILED RESULTING IN DRIVER'S INJURY ACCIDENT. YH

1 injured

Incident date: Feb 4, 1999

DEFECT REPORTED TO OWNER AFTER INSPECTION OF VEHICLE BY CERTIFIED MECHANIC. INSPECTION INDICATED THAT COOLANT LOSS WAS CAUSED BY A HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK THAT HAD RUSTED THROUGH FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE BLOCK, INDICATING THAT THE BLOCK HAD BEEN CAST POORLY OR IMPROPERLY. VW CONTACTED AND FAILED TO... Read more

BRAKES FAILED.

RADIATOR FAILED.

WATER PUMP FAILED.

BRAKE LIGHTS FUSE FAILED.

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED.

TIMING BELT FAILED.

TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING INTO DIFFERENTIAL.

RIGHT OUTER CONSTANT VELOCITY BOOT TORN.

VALVE GASKET COVER FAILED.

MUFFLER HANGERS AND CLAMPS FAILED.

TIRES FAILED.

OIL FILTER FAILED.

BATTERY FAILED.

SHIFTER HANDLE FAILED.

Incident date: Oct 1, 1994

BRAKE PADS REPLACED.

Incident date: Oct 1, 1994

MASTER CYLINDER FAILED.

Incident date: Oct 1, 1994

VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED.

Incident date: Oct 1, 1994

CV BOOTS FAILED.

Incident date: Oct 1, 1994

CLUTCH FAILED TWICE.

Incident date: Feb 1, 1995

ALTERNATOR FAILED.

Incident date: Feb 1, 1995

DISTRIBUTOR CAP FAILED.

Incident date: Feb 1, 1995

STARTER FAILED.

Incident date: Feb 1, 1995

RADIATOR FAILED.

Incident date: Dec 6, 1996

THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR SPRING RUSTED OUT AND BROKE DOOR LATCH FAILED. *AK THE EXPANSION SPRING IN THE DOOR LATCH RUSTED, BROKE, AND CAUSED THE WHOLE DOOR LATCH TO BECOME COMPLETELY INOPERABLE, CONSUMER STATES THE LOCATION OF THE LATCH IS IN A SPOT WHERE IT HAS ACCESS TO WATER, DIRT, AND CO... Read more

Incident date: Nov 2, 1995

BRAKES FAILED. *SD

Incident date: Jun 15, 1995

HEATER CORE FAILED, CAUSING OVERHEATED WATER TO SPILL ON DRIVER'S LEGS, RESULTING IN INJURIES PRIOR TO RECALL (92V-050). *AK

Incident date: Jun 15, 1995

HEATER CORE BURST, CAUSING BOILING/HOT WATER TO SPILL ON DRIVER'S LEGS, RESULTING IN AN INJURY, PRIOR TO RECALL (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT). (92V-005). *AK

1 injured

Incident date: Apr 23, 1995

DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S RESTRAINT SYSTEM IS INEFFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED. *SKD

Incident date: Jun 5, 1995

INTERNAL TRANSMISSION SEAL HAS DETERIORATED, WHICH MAY CAUSE FLUID TO MIXHESITATE/SEIZE. TT

EPA Fuel Economy, 1989 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	31.0	39.0	34.0	Diesel	$2,350
1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	20.0	26.0	22.0	Regular	$2,800
1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	22.0	31.0	25.0	Regular	$2,450

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1989 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

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

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
220000 SEATS	1

220000 SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING LATCH SYSTEM LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN, INSTALLING / RETROFITTING. *TT

NHTSA Safety Investigations, VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

DP, Closed , Model Year: 2019

Vehicle Stalling - Manual Transmission

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a defect petition received on 14 August 2019 requesting an investigation of an alleged defect of the manual transmissions in Model Year (MY) 2019 Volkswagen (VW) GTI, Golf GTI and Jetta GLI vehicles. The stalling incidents cited o... ccurred without warning as the vehicle slows to a stop or prepares to make a turn across traffic with the clutch pressed in and the vehicle in neutral.The hazard posed by a vehicle stalling event is manifested in the inability of the vehicle to move with the flow of surrounding traffic. Two factors have a major impact on the potential hazard to the vehicle, its occupants and surrounding vehicles: the surrounding traffic speed and the subject vehicle's restart ability. In the case of the vehicles that are the subject of this petition, restart is immediate and the stalls occur when the vehicle is slowing to stop for a traffic signal, making a turn, or is completely stopped. These circumstances substantially reduce the risk of harm to the vehicle, its occupants and surrounding vehicles.As of March 2, 2020, out of the population of 11,333 subject vehicles, NHTSA has identified 214 consumer complaints in its database, with unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN), citing engine stalling as vehicles are being brought to a stop and/or preparing to make a cross traffic turn. When combined with the warranty, field report and customer complaint data received from VW in response to the Information Request letter sent, NHTSA identified 413 unique VINs alleging low speed engine stalling.Volkswagen determined that the low speed / idle engine stall was the result of unwanted gases remaining in the cylinder caused by the intake valve camshaft not being in the correct position at idle. The intake camshaft is in an advanced position. This advanced position results in too much overlap with the position of the exhaust valve camshaft, allowing both the intake and exhaust valves to be open at the same time. The erroneous advanced position of the intake camshaft is a result of low oil pressure at idle and high oil temperatures, greater than or equal to 110?C/230?F combined with engine control algorithms in the Engine Control Module (ECM) that position the intake camshaft. Based on examination of returned engines, only engines manufactured at the Silao Mexico plant were affected due to a tolerance stack-up issue with the oil system of the engines.In December of 2019, VW initiated a Service Action (24FD) to remedy the stalling issue in the affected vehicles. The warranty for the affected vehicles was extended to December 31, 2025. The software in the Engine Control Module (ECM) will be updated with a new calibration value for the adaptation nodes of the regulation valve. This is a directed action with letters being sent to vehicle owners asking them to bring their vehicles to their dealership to have the software update installed in their vehicle. The letters were sent in December 2019.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Volkswagen in response to an information request and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that the stalling condition as alleged by the petitioner indicates the likelihood of a safety related defect that would warrant a formal investigation, therefore the petition is denied. Further specifics can be found in the Federal Register Notice.ODI complaint ID Numbers are listed on the attached sheet.Read more

DP, Closed , Model Year: 2000

ENGINE STALLING

BY LETTER RECEIVED ON JUNE 24, 2005, MR. RONALD M. STRICKLAND OF RALEIGH, NC, SUBMITTED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE IGNITION COIL PLUGS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, GOLF AND PASSAT SEDANS.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED MU... LTIPLE STALLING EVENTS AS A RESULT OF ONE OR MORE IGNITION COIL PLUGS MALFUNCTIONING ON HIS 2002 VW JETTA SEDAN.AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE STALLING, THE PETITIONER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORTS WHEN HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.AFTER A FEW MINUTES PARKED ON THE SHOULDER HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE OPERATED AT REDUCED POWER.VW ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) ON JANUARY 31, 2003 TO INSTRUCT THEIR DEALERSHIPS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS AND TO REPLACE THEM AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER.CONSUMERS WERE NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS VIA OWNER LETTERS MAILED OUT ON JUNE 6, 2003.WHILE VW INITIALLY INSTRUCTED THE DEALERSHIPS TO ONLY REPLACE THE MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS, A REVISED CSC WAS ISSUED TO DEALERSHIPS IN DECEMBER 2003 AND JANUARY 2004, INSTRUCTING DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE ALL IGNITION COIL PACKS REGARDLESS OF THEIR PERFORMANCE.A REMINDER TO THE DEALERSHIPS WAS SENT BY VW ON APRIL OF 2004.ALTHOUGH THE CONCERNS OF THE PETITIONER COULD THEORETICALLY CREATE A SAFETY PROBLEM, THE RISK IS VERY SMALL, DUE TO THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING ON EITHER 3, 5, OR 7 CYLINDERS.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ONCE DRIVERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM (LOSS OF POWER DUE TO ONE OF THE IGNITION COIL PACKS MALFUNCTIONING), DRIVERS ARE ABLE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY AND COMPENSATORY MEASURES AND STILL MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, FOUR FIRES WERE REPORTED TO ODI.THESE WERE IGNITION COIL BURNOUTS WITH NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND WERE LOCALIZED ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. DURING THE LAST 24 MONTHS THE NUMBER OF STALL AND DRIVABILITY COMPLAINTS REPORTED TO ODI HAS GREATLY DIMINISHED FROM A PEAK OF 195 IN JANUARY OF 2003 TO ONLY 3 IN AUGUST OF 2005.THIS COINCIDES WITH THE CSC RELEASED BY VW.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2001

INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE-THORAX AND SIDE-HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAGS TO PROTECT THE FRONT AND REAR OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A SIDE-IMPACT CRASH.THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 499 REPORTS (482 OWNERS REPORTS AND 17 WARRANTY CLAIMS).THE CRASH SENSING SYSTEM?S ALGORITHM MAY RECOGNIZE... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1999

FUEL PUMP LEAKS

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004, BASED ON FIVE CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP.BY LETTER OF APRIL 14, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA (VOLKSWAGEN) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 35,000 GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN WOLFSBU... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2000

TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON OCTOBER 19, 2004, BASED ON NINE REPORTS ON 2000 THROUGH 2001 JETTA AND GTI VEHICLES ALLEGING THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND OR HAZARD FLASHERS FAIL TO BLINK, OR FLASH.SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD BLINK ONLY A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP.SEVERAL OF T... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1995

HOOD LATCH FAILURE

ODI HAS RECEIVED THREE REPORTS, INCLUDING THE PETITIONERS, REGARDING ALLEGED HOOD LATCH FAILURES.ALL OF THE ODI REPORTS INDICATE THE HOOD FLEW UP WHILE DRIVING.FOLLOWING A TELEPHONE INQUIRY, VOLKSWAGEN PROVIDED ODI WITH SOME LIMITED INFORMATION REGARDING SIX ADDITIONAL REPORTS OF HOOD FLY-UP FOR MOD... Read more

DP, Closed , Model Year: 1995

HOOD FLY-UP