Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1996 Volkswagen Cabrio, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags2
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Visibility1
- Latches/locks/linkages1
- Power train1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1996 Volkswagen Cabrio failed the safety check 1.23% of the time — 16% less often than the average 1996 passenger car (1.47%). Median odometer at inspection: 130,260 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 10.3–10.6 L/100 km (about 22–23 mpg US), CO₂ 237–244 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabrio · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 11.7 | 8.7 | 10.3 |
| Cabrio · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 11.9 | 9.0 | 10.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 1996 Volkswagen Cabrio.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Volkswagen told its dealers about the 1996 Volkswagen Cabrio: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 610170 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1580 (17988) AND P0103 (16487) STORED IN DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE MEMORY. *TT |
| 601876 | INFORMATION ON MAINTENANCE INTERVALS. *YC |
| 53644 | CONDITIONS REGARDING EXTERIOR DOOR LOCKS CANNOT BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED WITH KEY WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING. *YC |
| 53636 | CONCERNS WITH CASSETTE TAPE PLAYER, SOUND OUTPUT LOW OR DISTORTED, TAPES MAY BE DESTROYED. *YC |
| 53608 | SUBJECT ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE CAN ADDITIONALLY RECOGNIZE TWO DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) NOT CURRENTLY SHOWN IN THE REPAIR MANUAL. *YC |
| 53603 | ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT START, POSSIBLEDTC'S STORED IN TCM DTC MEMORY |
| 10241266 | Squeaks, Rattles, Noise, Repair Materials |
| 10241265 | Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults |
| 10239789 | To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine running and heated rear window switched on. Switch OFF the ignition and visually locate the damage. Proceed with checking any other lines as necessary. Once the damaged line is identified, repair utilizing the Repair kit by Permatex ITEM 09117. |
| 10239592 | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation |
| 10239591 | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation |
| 10239590 | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation |
| 10213836 | Airbag Issues. |
| 10159010 | The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided. |
| 10158533 | Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. TB updated to include model year 2019 applicability. |
| 10157383 | VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide |
| 10155644 | This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward. |
| 10128105 | This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, technical bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, updates, and suggestions. |
| 10128104 | This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, ElsaPro infomedia icons grayed out, workshop equipment tool storage application, technical bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, updates, and suggestions. |
| 10128055 | This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests. |
| 10127969 | Data Link connector pin assignment chart that is applicable to all models. Update model year applicability. |
| 10126785 | Update model year applicability to include 2017. |
| 10122956 | Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine running and heated rear window switched on. Switch OFF the ignition and visually locate the damage. |
| 10122240 | Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. This document informs of how to diagnose the issue and tips on servicing the issue |
| 10026848 | VOLKSWAGEN: EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD, REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES. HEAT SHIELDS ARE TO BE INSPECTED AFTER COMPLETION O ANY TYPE OF REPAIR TO THE UNDERBODY (EXHAUST SYSTEM TRANSMISSION, ETC.), AND IF DAMAGED, REPLACED. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation