Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel system, gasoline5
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Equipment1
- Power train1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Tires1
- Fuel system, other1
- Seats1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 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 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon failed the safety check 1.33% of the time — 70% more often than the average 1987 passenger car (0.78%). Median odometer at inspection: 138,500 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon.
| 1989081 2 Jun 1989 | Engine IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVATED AND A PRESET SPEED IS RESUMED BY OPERATING THE "RESUME" SWITCH, THE TENSION ON THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WILL DECREASE ALLOWING T… |
| 1988062 27 Apr 1988 | Fuel System THE ADDITIONAL IN-LINE FUEL FILTER BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL PUMP MAY EXPERIENCE FUEL SEEPAGE AT THE SEAM OF THE CASING. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION… |
| 1987117 2 Nov 1987 | Powertrain ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE SHIFT LEVER LOCKING PIN MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY WELDED TO THE SHIFT LEVER PAWL. DURING FORCEFUL SHIFTING, THE PIN… |
| 1987043 29 Apr 1987 | Fuel System On certain Vanagon and Vanagon Synchro, vapors could form in the fuel system during high ambient temperature and become trapped in a fuel filter which is perman… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
THE PLASTIC MATERIAL OF THE CENTER AIR FLOW DUCT, WHICH IS FASTENED BY TWO MOUNTING SCREWS TO THE CEILING OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, CAN CRACK AND EVENTUALLY BREAK.
WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL THE ACCELERATOR CABLE TENSION MAY ALLOW THE CABLE TO SAG AND BECOME ENTANGLED WITH THE WATER PIPE BRACKET IMPEDING ITS RETURN TO IDLE POSITION.
DUE TO IMPROPER MOUNTING PROCESS, SEMPERIT TIRES 20570R14 MOUNTED ON ALLOY WHEEL SIZE 6J X 14 COULD EXPERIENCE TINY CRACKS IN THE BEAD AREA.
IN LINE FUEL FILTER LOCATED BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP COULD SEEP FUEL AT THE SEAM OF THE PLASTIC CASING.
PIN IN SHIFT LOCKING PAWL MAY NOT BE PROPERLY WELDED TO THE PAWL.
SEAT BRACKETS WHICH ANCHOR REARWARD PASSENGER SEATS MAY NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY.
USAGE OF FUEL WITH REID PRESSURE UP TO 14 PSI COULD, UNDER HIGH ENGINE LOAD AND HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, LEAD TO STALLING.
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 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 621613 | SUBJECT REGARDING LATCH SYSTEM LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN, INSTALLING / RETROFITTING. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
OVERHEAD A/C SEPARATION
SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE
SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation