AI Damage1987 Volkswagen Vanagon: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 13
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 46% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 15% of all complaints
- 3 Equipment 8% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 5 Seats 8% of all complaints
- 6 Tires 8% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 6 complaints (46% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (15% of all).
- Equipment: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Seats: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.1 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 13 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 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 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.
The contact was driving 55 mph when the front passenger side and rear driver side wheels began shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that the chords were detached from the tires. The manufacturer was not contacted. The tires were not repaired.
When the engine was under high load and hot, it stalled. (fuel starvation due to restriction) the fuel kept dropping until the 3/6 level rubber grommets were changed. The when the vehicle was running under a heavy load and climbing on a hot day, it starved for fuel and lost power.
Recall 93 v 175 000/air condition:hose:duct:air: dealer;egc volkswagen; new hyde park,ny, phone# 516/488-2420refused to honor recall. Feel free to provide any further information.
While driving consumer was thrown out of driver's seat, even though he was thrown backwards causing minor injuries, consumer was able to hold on to the steering wheel and managed to get vehicle back under control, this has also happened with passenger seat as well.
Pump corrosion due to steel/aluminum interation. Steel bracket clamping aluminum fuel pump caused pump corrosion to the extent that fuel leaked from pump case
Vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment. Fire was put out by the fire department. Vehicle totalled. Please provide any further information.
Fire occured as a result from a gasoline leak in the fuel delivery system.
Owner states that the throttle sticks,and that when this happens the vehicle accelerates. Driver must use clutch to slow vehicle down. This is an intermittent 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 9,843 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Vanagon has 6 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 13, above average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel system, engine and cooling, equipment. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: loss of power / limp mode (15%), smoke, burning smell, fire (15%), A/C or heater (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon?
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 Vanagon 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.