Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1990 Volkswagen Corrado, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling11
- Visibility10
- Seat belts9
- Electrical system4
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
- Fuel system, gasoline3
- Power train2
- Wheels1
- Steering1
- Vehicle speed control1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 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 1990 Volkswagen Corrado failed the safety check 0.00% of the time — 100% less often than the average 1990 passenger car (1.16%). Median odometer at inspection: 113,999 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 1990 Volkswagen Corrado cars on Dutch roads are the 1.8 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp) and 1.8 petrol (118 kW, 158 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.8 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 105 |
| 1.8 petrol | 118 kW 158 hp | 20 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
137 first registered in 1990 are on Dutch roads; 96% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Stofhoes aandrijfas beschadigd en dicht niet af6
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde5
- Waarschuwingsinrichting antiblokkeersysteem geeft defect aan4
- Stofhoes stuurinrichting beschadigd, dicht niet af3
- Schijf-, trommelrem loopt niet vrij3
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen3
- Stofhoes fuseekogel beschadigd en dicht niet af2
- Achterruitrijlicht glas gerepareerd, bewerkt of verwijderd2
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
41 cars built in 1990 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 319 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
9 of these cars first registered in 1990 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 186,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
9 1990 cars are on the New Zealand register; 22% arrived as used imports, 78% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 1990 Volkswagen Corrado.
| 1996109 16 Jul 1996 | Heater And Defroster INCREASED COOLANT PRESSURE DUE TO ENGINE OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN RUPTURE OF HEAT EXCHANGER CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY, OR, STEAMING OF INTERIOR. … |
| 1993143 27 Oct 1993 | Fuel System THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL, LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY CLAMPED. THIS COULD LEAD TO FUEL SEEPAGE AT THE H… |
| 1991104 9 Jul 1991 | Fuel System UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING, WHICH ALSO SERVES AS THE BASE FOR THE FUEL PUMP, COULD DEFORM RESULTING IN THE FUEL PUMP BECOMI… |
| 1990105 6 Jul 1990 | Lights And Instruments THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WILL NOT OPERATE WITH THE THREE POSITION LIGHT SWITCH IN THE SECOND POSIT… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
IN THE EVENT THE ENGINE OVERHEATS AND THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED CONTINUOUSLY IN THAT CONDITION, THE COOLANT PRESSURE WILL RISE TO A LEVEL AT WHICH THE HEAT EXCHANGER COULD LEAK.
THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL ON THE ENGINE MAY SHRINK BEYOND THE CLAMP FORCE OF THE FUEL HOSE CLAMPS, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.
THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING, WHICH SERVES AS THE BASE FOR THE FUEL PUMP (LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK) COULD DEFORM, RESULTING IN THE FUEL PUMP BECOMING LOOSE.
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 1990 Volkswagen Corrado: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 621613 | SUBJECT REGARDING LATCH SYSTEM LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN, INSTALLING / RETROFITTING. *TT |
| 53604 | CONDITIONS WITH ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT START. *YC |
| 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)