Model year record

1985 Volkswagen Golf

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 15 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 92V050000

Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core

Component
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
650,000
Reported to NHTSA
1992-04-14
Owners notified
1992-05-29

Defect description

THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

Safety risk

THE COOLANT ESCAPING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULDCONTACT THE DRIVER'S FEET AND INJURE THE DRIVER. ALSO, STEAM FROM THE HEATEDLIQUID WILL CLOUD ON THE WINDOW SURFACES AND IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S VISION ANDCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE HEATER CORE WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER CORE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 87V053000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
278,520
Reported to NHTSA
1987-04-14
Owners notified
1987-06-04

Defect description

FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE FUEL TANK, COULD SEIZE DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF AN EXTREME FINE MESH FUEL FILTER RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW.

Safety risk

FUEL SUPPLY TO ENGINE WOULD BE PARTIALLY INTERRUPTED,RESULTING IN STALLING.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL A MODIFIED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 86V029000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
77,000
Reported to NHTSA
1986-02-20
Owners notified
1986-05-19

Defect description

MORE FUEL THAN PERMITTED BY FMVSS 301 MAY ESCAPE FROM THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY UNDER THE TEST CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN THE STANDARD. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE CAR IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE FUEL SPILLAGE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY WITH A MODIFIED UNIT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 85V031000

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
21,000
Reported to NHTSA
1985-03-25

Defect description

FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY NOT PROPERLY LOCK DURING SUDDEN HEAVY BRAKE APPLICATION OR IMPACT DUE TO THE INTERFERENCE OF TWO POSITIONING TABS. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETAIN THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SUBJECTING THEM TO POSSIBLE INJURY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELTS AND MODIFY THE RETRACTOR POSITIONING TABS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 84V137000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
575
Reported to NHTSA
1984-10-30
Owners notified
1984-10-24

Defect description

A DEFECT HAS BEEN FOUND IN THE ASSEMBLY OF SOME MASTER BRAKE CYLINDERS. DURING ASSEMBLY, INTERNAL PARTS OF THE MASTER CYLINDER (PISTON CUPS) MAY HAVE BEEN INTERCHANGED.

Manufacturer remedy

THE MASTER CYLINDER WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core4
Vehicle speed control2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Power train: automatic transmission1
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1
Power train: driveline: differential unit1
Visibility: windshield1

The 1986 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.