1989 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 1989 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 1989 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
- 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (9), Gasoline (7), Other (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
03/20/2008 · Fuel system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIOLET. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A VOLKSWAGEN REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL FOR HER YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO HER VIN. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT HER VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL…
05/01/2006 · Fuel system
VOLKSWAGEN SAYS RECALL DOESN'T APPEAR IN THEIR SYSTEM, VIN [XXX] FALLS INTO THE CATEGORY AND NO LOCAL DEALERS HAVE DONE THIS RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE... GAS TANK IS LEAKING FROM SAID AREA PROFUSELY , WHICH RUNS THE RISK OF AN EXPLOSION. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
03/18/2005 · Fuel system
VEHICLE HAD A WET SUBSTANCE ON THE GROUND. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, AND THE LEAK WAS DETERMINED TO BE GAS. THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE GAS TANK. CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON A RECALL. MANUFACTURER TOLD CONSUMER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE IF REPAIRS W…
11/08/2004 · Fuel system
1989 VW CABRIOLET FUEL TANK HAS DEFECTIVE SEAM WELD IN FUEL TANK AS DOCUMENTED IN CAMPAIGN # 94V065000. TANK HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED, YET VW SAYS THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE.*AK
11/18/2003 · Fuel system
FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER WILL FIX AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. *PH TWO RECALLS WERE ISSUED RELATED TO THIS FAILURE, 94V-065000 AND 91V-201000. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE ISSUED. *NLM
02/09/2000 · Fuel system
RECALL # 94V065000 FUEL: FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY: TANK; AFTER RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED, FUEL TANK STARTING TO LEAK. DEALER STATED TO CONSUMER THAT IT COULD COST $700.00 TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP AND ACCUMULATOR. FUEL TANK WAS NOT LEAKING WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. *AK
02/07/2000 · Fuel system
RECALL # 94V065000: FUEL TANK: AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED, THE GAS TANK STARTED TO LEAK. DEALER STATED TO CONSUMER THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $700.00 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AND ACCUMULATOR. CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH FUEL TANK BEFORE RECALL WORK WAS COMPLETED. *AK *ML
11/03/1999 · Fuel system
THERE IS A GAS LEAK COMING FROM THE GAS TANK, AND CONSUMER CAN SMELL THE GAS WITHIN THE VEHICLE. PROBLEM HAS RETURNED, AND DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE.