AI DamageVolkswagen Cabriolet: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Volkswagen Cabriolet across 7 model years: 44 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 57% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 11% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 9% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 9% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 5% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 5% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 25 complaints (57% of all).
- Air bags: 5 complaints (11% of all).
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (9% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (9% of all).
- Structure: 4 complaints (9% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1985–1993
- automatic, 3-speed 1985–1993
- manual, 5-speed 1985–1993
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 44 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 25 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
1 normal driving 2 lower bearing of the steering column falls from bearing race, creates hazardous steering 3 a plastic bearing retainer is the factory replacement and this brakes causing the failure. Replacement does not fix the problem.
Fuel leaks from top of tank when tank is full or over 1/2 full... Previous recalls of this car and those similar list problems similar to what I'm experiencing. However, because of advanced age of vehicle, recalls are not being acknowledged by dealers or company. Auto is a 1986 volkswagen cabriolet.
The air bag light illuminated which meant the air bag may not deploy in case of a collision.
Consumer has concerns over the vehicles fuel tank leaking at the tank seam. This particular vehicle was subject to two (2) recalls (91v201 and 94v065). Consumer has not been able to contact any one for making the repairs on the fuel tank.
Consumer received recall 91v201000 for fuel tank assembly. The vehicle is leaking gasoline. Dealership inspected vehicle, and problem wasn't solved. Dealership is aware of problem.
The heater core exploded onto the consumers legs, the consumer sustained burns to both left and right calves, due to the pain of the hot steam the consumer was forced out of the vehicle while it was still moving as a result the vehicle hit a concrete embankment (attorney for client). Nlm
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.