Model year record

1989 Volkswagen FOX

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 12 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V105000

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system

Component
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
164,000
Reported to NHTSA
1995-05-23
Owners notified
1995-09-22

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A LEAK OR FAILURE OF THE HEAT EXCHANGER LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD CAN ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE FEET OF A PASSENGER. HOT COOLANT CAN ALSO STEAM UP THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BYPASS VALVE KIT WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ROUTE EXCESSIVELY HOT COOLANT TO THE ENGINE WITHOUT FLOWING THROUGH THE HEAT EXCHANGER. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A PLASTIC COVER UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ENSURE THAT THE PASSENGER IS NOT EXPOSED TO HOT COOLANT IN THE EVENT OF A LEAK.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V187000

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Component
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
104,000
Reported to NHTSA
1988-12-01
Owners notified
1989-02-23

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THE ABOVE CONDITION IS PRESENT AND THE STEERING WHEELNUT IS TORQUED LOWER THAN SPECIFIED, BREAK OF THE FRICTION LOCK COULD RESULT INLOOSENING AND SEPARATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL.

Manufacturer remedy

REMOVE THE STEERING WHEEL OF VEHICLES AND CLEAN FRICTION SURFACE AND INSTALL A SPRING RETAINER, REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL NUT WITH A SELF LOCKING NUT.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Unknown or other1

The 1988 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1990 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.