Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 Fox | 18 | 2 |
| 1992 Fox | 5 | 2 |
| 1991 | 1 | 3 |
| 1990 Fox | 15 | 2 |
| 1989 Fox | 9 | 2 |
| 1988 Fox | 23 | 2 |
| 1987 Fox | 10 | 3 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Engine and engine cooling28
- Visibility19
- Power train8
- Fuel system, gasoline8
- Electrical system7
- Structure6
- Seat belts6
- Latches/locks/linkages4
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
In the Netherlands
15,847 Fox cars are on Dutch roads; 10% arrived later as imports, and 3,219 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 256 | €11,555 |
| 2010 | 1,112 | €10,583 |
| 2009 | 1,840 | €10,451 |
| 2008 | 1,740 | €11,568 |
| 2007 | 4,889 | €11,725 |
| 2006 | 4,186 | €11,838 |
| 2005 | 1,824 | €12,280 |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
Road collisions in Great Britain
From 2021 to 2025, 250 Fox cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 3 of those collisions were fatal and 52 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.
| Year | Cars in injury collisions | Fatal | Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 47 | 0 | 8 |
| 2024 | 39 | 1 | 13 |
| 2023 | 62 | 1 | 8 |
| 2022 | 48 | 0 | 11 |
| 2021 | 54 | 1 | 12 |
Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
10,450 Fox cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 76 | 7 |
| 2011 | 1,971 | 144 |
| 2010 | 2,927 | 281 |
| 2009 | 1,796 | 166 |
| 2008 | 1,311 | 188 |
| 2007 | 1,431 | 255 |
| 2006 | 938 | 177 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
28,287 Fox cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 52% passed first time, against 59% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 2,425 | 59% |
| 2010 | 7,874 | 53% |
| 2009 | 5,031 | 53% |
| 2008 | 4,702 | 49% |
| 2007 | 5,266 | 49% |
| 2006 | 2,989 | 54% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | Fox | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 21.7% | 19.1% |
| Suspension | 20.5% | 16.3% |
| Visibility | 13.0% | 6.5% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 11.2% | 6.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.7% | 5.5% |
| Brakes | 8.8% | 10.7% |
| Tyres | 6.3% | 7.5% |
| Steering | 3.3% | 3.1% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
36,718 new Volkswagen Fox cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2018, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2018 the largest markets were Italy (1).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 146 (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 2 | 139 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 1 | — |
| 2015 | 2 | — |
| 2014 | 3 | — |
| 2013 | 10 | — |
| 2012 | 480 | — |
| 2011 | 10,759 | — |
| 2010 | 25,460 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the Fox in 9 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.
The propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it can result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of moto…
The propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of mo…
The driver airbag's gas generator may be faulty, resulting in uncontrolled inflation and the release of metal fragments. This increases the risk of injuries to the occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillan…
The propellant in the front passenger airbag can deteriorate due to high humidity and temperature variations. In the event of an accident in which the airbag deploys, this could result in fragments from the inflator casing coming loose and injuring the vehicle…
The airbag may be faulty. Fragments can detach from the inflator housing when deployed and injure vehicle occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, c…
The airbag propellant may deteriorate over time. In the event of an accident this can lead to the release of fragments of the front airbag from the generator housing, increasing the risk of injury. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approva…
The propellant may deteriorate over time due to heat cycles and exposure to moisture. If the airbag is deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occu…
The vehicles affected may have been fitted with Takata gas generators which could allow the ingress of moisture and thus result in the degradation of the propellant. If the airbag deploys, this could cause the gas generator to burst, causing metal parts to ent…
Cars initially used for internal purposes of Volkswagen AG might not have been correctly modified before they were sold to the general public. There is a possibility that certain safety systems of these cars are not correctly modified for street use.
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
5 campaigns cover the Fox.
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.
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.
METAL FUEL LINES WITH AN INCORRECT CONTOUR WERE INSTALLED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE INCORRECT CONTOUR CAN CAUSE THE METAL FUEL LINE TO RUB AGAINST THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.
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.
UNDER HEAVY LOAD CONDITIONS, THE REAR TIRE SIDEWALLS MAY CHAFE AGAINST THE WHEEL HOUSING.
NHTSA recalls