Model year record

1986 Volkswagen GTI

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 2 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 86V149000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
23,000
Reported to NHTSA
1986-11-07
Owners notified
1986-11-07

Defect description

MORE FUEL THAN PERMITTED BY FMVSS 301 MAY ESCAPE FROM THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: CARS ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 301.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY WITH A MODIFIED UNIT.

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Suspension: front: shock absorber1

The 1985 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1987 model has roughly the same number of 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.