Model year record

1989 Volkswagen Golf

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 41 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 93V129000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
76,000
Reported to NHTSA
1993-08-02
Owners notified
1993-09-24

Defect description

AN ENGINE PREHEATING TUBE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SUPPORTED DUE TO A MISSING SUPPORT BRACKET, CAUSING THE PREHEATING TUBE TO CHAFE AGAINST THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE. THIS CAN DAMAGE THE HYDRAULIC LINE, CAUSING BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE AND DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT.

Safety risk

DIMINISHED BRAKING CAN RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PREHEATING TUBE SUPPORT BRACKET TO ENSURE PROPER POSITIONING RELATIVE TO THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE.

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 92V058000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
358,000
Reported to NHTSA
1992-04-14
Owners notified
1992-05-22

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine5
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core465,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2
Power train: automatic transmission2
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint2
Seat belts: front2
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Seat belts: front: webbing2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Tires1
Vehicle speed control1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1

The 1988 model has 5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1990 model has 4 times 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.