1989 VOLKSWAGEN FOX — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
12
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1989 VOLKSWAGEN FOX
The 1989 VOLKSWAGEN FOX has received a total of 12 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 (3 complaints), Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core (2 complaints), and Electrical System12v24v48v Battery (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 1989 VOLKSWAGEN FOX
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1989 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 1989 VOLKSWAGEN FOX
12 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1989 VOLKSWAGEN FOX. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System12v24v48v Battery | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignitionmodule | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkageshoodlatch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsfrontwebbing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
CONSUMER WHILE DRIVING WOULD LOSE POWER. COMPUTER SYSTEM WENT CRAZY, OIL LIGHT/BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS IT WOULD BE OKAY. THEN IT WOULD START ACTING UP AGAIN. DEALER SAID CAR NEEDED HEATING VALVES. *AK
CONSUMER WHILE DRIVING WOULD LOSE POWER. COMPUTER SYSTEM WENT CRAZY, OIL LIGHT/BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS IT WOULD BE OKAY. THEN IT WOULD START ACTING UP AGAIN. DEALER SAID CAR NEEDED HEATING VALVES. *AK
CONSUMER WHILE DRIVING WOULD LOSE POWER. COMPUTER SYSTEM WENT CRAZY, OIL LIGHT/BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS IT WOULD BE OKAY. THEN IT WOULD START ACTING UP AGAIN. DEALER SAID CAR NEEDED HEATING VALVES. *AK
CONSUMER WHILE DRIVING WOULD LOSE POWER. COMPUTER SYSTEM WENT CRAZY, OIL LIGHT/BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS IT WOULD BE OKAY. THEN IT WOULD START ACTING UP AGAIN. DEALER SAID CAR NEEDED HEATING VALVES. *AK
DEFECTIVE COOLING SYSTEM--RECALL. WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS.
View all Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System complaints →
Safety Rating for the 1989 VOLKSWAGEN FOX
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1989 VOLKSWAGEN FOX in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1989 VOLKSWAGEN FOX
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1989 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 — 24 complaints
- 1989 VOLKSWAGEN FOX (current)
- 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