1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. A CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK ADJACENT TO A SEAM WELD IN THE REAR OF THE TANK.
What could happen: FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACKED FUEL TANK WHICH COULD CATCH FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The fix: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE VEHICLE WITH A SPECIALLY DESIGNED TOOL FOR THE PRESENCE OF A TANK CRACK, AND REPLACE THE FUEL TANK IF THE DEFECT IS PRESENT.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 CABRIOLET.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 94V065000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Summary: A CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK ADJACENT TO A SEAM WELD IN THE REAR OF THE TANK.
Consequence: FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACKED FUEL TANK WHICH COULD CATCH FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE VEHICLE WITH A SPECIALLY DESIGNED TOOL FOR THE PRESENCE OF A TANK CRACK, AND REPLACE THE FUEL TANK IF THE DEFECT IS PRESENT.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL; FUEL TANK. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREE OF CHARGE, OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. A CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK ADJACENT TO A SEAM WELD IN THE REAR OF THE TANK.
What could happen: FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACKED FUEL TANK WHICH COULDCATCH FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The fix: CHECK VEHICLE WITH A SPECIALLY DESIGNED TOOL FOR THE PRESENCE OF A FUEL TANK CRACK, AND REPLACE FUEL TANK IF DEFECT IS FOUND.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 CABRIOLET.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 91V201000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Summary: A CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK ADJACENT TO A SEAM WELD IN THE REAR OF THE TANK.
Consequence: FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACKED FUEL TANK WHICH COULDCATCH FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: CHECK VEHICLE WITH A SPECIALLY DESIGNED TOOL FOR THE PRESENCE OF A FUEL TANK CRACK, AND REPLACE FUEL TANK IF DEFECT IS FOUND.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL TANK.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (4), Gasoline (4), Engine (2), Body / structure (1), Suspension (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
07/10/2002 · Fuel system
CONSUMER HAS CONCERNS OVER THE VEHICLES FUEL TANK LEAKING AT THE TANK SEAM. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS SUBJECT TO TWO (2) RECALLS (91V201 AND 94V065). CONSUMER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONTACT ANY ONE FOR MAKING THE REPAIRS ON THE FUEL TANK.
08/01/2000 · Engine
I AM 3RD OWNER OF VEHICLE. THE PREVIOUS OWNERS DIDNT TAKE FAR INFOR RECALL ON GAS TANK. FUEL SMELL UNBEARABLE UNLESS TOP IS DOWN. THEY HAVENT BEEN HELPFUL AT ALL IN REPLACING GAS TANK. RECALL WAS DUE TO BAD WELD IN TOP OF GAS TANKS THAT IS WHY THE SMELL IS UNBEARABLE.
02/11/2000 · Body / structure
IN DEC. 1999 THE FRAME OF MY WIFE LANETTE PARKS CABRIOLET WAS CRACKING AND SPLITTING WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT OR ABNORMAL DRIVING EVENT TO CAUSE IT. THE FRAME SHOP INFORMED ME THAT THEY SEE THIS QUITE OFTEN ON VW RABBITS, GOLFS AND CABRIOLETS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THE FRAME. APPARENTLY THEY ADDED A METAL SUPPORT BAR BETWEEN THE TWO FRONT WHEELS THAT VW INC…
01/14/2000 · Fuel system
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 94V065000 IN REFEENCE TO THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. DALER STATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK
06/12/1998 · Fuel system
RECALL WORK NOT COMPLETED ON GAS TANK DUE TO INABILITY TO FIND DEFECT AT TIME OF INSPECTION, HOWEVER GAS TANK FAILED AFTER INSPECTION RESULTING IN LEAKING.
06/12/1998 · Suspension
FRONT STRUT FAILED.
06/12/1998 · Engine
MUFFLER AND TAILPIPE FAILED.
02/27/1997 · Fuel system
OWNER STATES THAT HE SMELLS GAS COMING FROM VEHICLE, HE ALSO NOTES THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL TANK FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT HIS WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, OWNER IS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY.