1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
24
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX
The 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX has received a total of 24 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System (5 complaints), Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core (5 complaints), and Latcheslockslinkageshoodlatch (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX, potentially affecting up to 268,000 vehicles.
Recall 95V105000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
| 164,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
View full details →Recall 88V187000 — STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
| 104,000 vehicles affected
Defect: STEERING WHEEL/SHAFT DESIGNED TO USE SURFACE FRICTION MAY LOOSE THIS FRICTION IF GREASE OR OIL IS PRESENT ON THE CONESHAPED SURFACE OF THE STEERING SHAFT.
Consequence: IF THE ABOVE CONDITION IS PRESENT AND THE STEERING WHEELNUT IS TORQUED LOWER THAN SPECIFIED, BREAK OF THE FRICTION LOCK COULD RESULT INLOOSENING AND SEPARATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
Remedy: REMOVE THE STEERING WHEEL OF VEHICLES AND CLEAN FRICTION SURFACE AND INSTALL A SPRING RETAINER, REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL NUT WITH A SELF LOCKING NUT.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX
24 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkageshoodlatch | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywindshield | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinedelivery | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainmanual Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentshoses Linespiping And Fittings | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicpower Assistvacuum | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodyhood | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST ALL BRAKING FUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION FROM THE METAL BRAKE LINE TO THE REAR RIGHT SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 164,955 UPDATED 8/3/09 *CN UPDATED 08/05/09.*JB
WHILE DRIVING COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH DASHBOARD ON DRIVER'S FEET. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEATER COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING THE HOOD UNEXPECTEDLY POPPED UP AND BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. *YH BOTH HINGES SECURING THE HOOD HAD BROKEN FROM STRESS. *SCC
CONSUMER STATES WINDSHILED WAS CRACKED, AS A RESULT OF GRAVEL BEING DUMPED ON THE HIGHWAY.*JB
PRESSURE FUEL HOSE WAS CRACKED AND SEEPING GASOLINE. IMMINENT LEAK/FIRE HAZARD. *AK
View all Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System complaints →
Safety Rating for the 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN FOX
- 1987 VOLKSWAGEN FOX — 15 complaints
- 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX (current)
- 1989 VOLKSWAGEN FOX — 12 complaints
- 1990 VOLKSWAGEN FOX — 16 complaints
- 1991 VOLKSWAGEN FOX — 1 complaint
- 1992 VOLKSWAGEN FOX — 8 complaints
- 1993 VOLKSWAGEN FOX — 29 complaints
Other VOLKSWAGEN Models
- VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 13,715 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 10,288 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 3,613 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN — 3,104 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS — 2,635 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 1,991 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 1,916 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 — 1,568 total complaints