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Check a VIN

1989 Volkswagen Fox

9 owner complaints — #5 of 7 Fox model years. 2 recalls, 1 service bulletin.

9complaints · 1 crashes, 0 fires
2recalls
1manufacturer bulletins
—median mileage at failure

Problems owners report

Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1989 Volkswagen Fox, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.

  • Engine and engine cooling5
  • Visibility2
  • Seat belts1
  • Electrical system1
  • Unknown or other1
  • Latches/locks/linkages1

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported

Compared with other years

’87’89’91’939’87’89’90’939

NHTSA ODI complaints by model year

Recalls in Canada

3 Transport Canada recalls for the 1989 Volkswagen Fox.

1995094
13 Jun 1995
Heater And Defroster
DEFECT: IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED AFTER A COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENT HAS FAILED, THE COOLANT COULD OVERHEAT CAUSING THE COOLING SYSTEM'S PRESSURE TO RISE TO A L…
1991148
5 Nov 1991
Structure
THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MECHANISM MAY CORRODE AND SEIZE DUE TO IMPROPER LUBRICATION. IF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH WAS NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED AND THE PRIMARY H…
1988161
1 Dec 1988
Steering
THE STEERING WHEEL ON THESE VEHICLES MAY LOOSEN ON THE STEERING SHAFT. WHEN A STEERING WHEEL IS REMOVED AFTER ASSEMBLY AND REINSTALLED, GREASE OR OIL MAY HAVE B…

Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada

Recalls

95V105000 · Engine and engine cooling23 May 1995 · 164,000 vehicles

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.

88V187000 · Steering1 Dec 1988 · 104,000 vehicles

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.

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 1989 Volkswagen Fox: known faults, fixes and updates.

BulletinSummary
621613SUBJECT REGARDING LATCH SYSTEM LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN, INSTALLING / RETROFITTING. *TT

NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)

NHTSA investigations

EA91054 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac systemopened 9 Dec 1991 · closed 12 Jun 1992

HEATER CORE FAILURE

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation