AI Damage1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel system and visibility. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 11
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 73% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 18% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 9% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 8 complaints (73% of all).
- Visibility: 2 complaints (18% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (9% of all).
- Structure: 1 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
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 11 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 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 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.
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
Consumer had found a crack on fuel tank after smelling fuel, and fuel was leaking from tank. Tank had to be repaired. Currently, consumer had found out about recall 94v065000 which dealt with this particular problem.
I brought this car to the dealer for work on a leaking fuel tank and after much talking with the dealer and vw of america was able to convince the dealer that the work should be done under a recall (your campaign number either 91v201000 or 94v065000) the dealer also found that the internal fuel pump was bad and it was…
The front a arm has tendency to become weakened and develop a crack on a poor weld seam underneath the car
The fuel tank has been repaired twice because of leakage. Once in april of 97 and once in august of 97. The fuel tank is being replaced again because of same problem.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 10,520 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 29% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Cabriolet has 6 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 11, above average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel system, visibility, steering. Total complaints: 11. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (9%), fuel system, fuel smell (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
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.