1978 Volkswagen Dasher recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. 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. THE FUEL PUMP MAY STOP FUNCTIONING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAN OCCUR BECAUSE AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR IN THE FUSE PANEL MAY OVERHEAT AND INTERRUPT THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUSE BOX AND ITS CONNECTORS FOR CORROSION, AND CORRECT WHERE NECESSARY. A BYPASS ADAPTER TO THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL BE INSTALLED.
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 1978 DASHER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 83V117000.
- 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:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
Summary: THE FUEL PUMP MAY STOP FUNCTIONING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAN OCCUR BECAUSE AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR IN THE FUSE PANEL MAY OVERHEAT AND INTERRUPT THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUSE BOX AND ITS CONNECTORS FOR CORROSION, AND CORRECT WHERE NECESSARY. A BYPASS ADAPTER TO THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL BE INSTALLED.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FUEL INJECTION.SYSTEM: FUEL SYSTEM; ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE FUEL PUMP STOPS FUNCTIONING, THE ENGINE WILLSTALL OR FAIL TO START. A STALLED VEHICLE COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ON THEHIGHWAY.
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE TWO GUIDE BOLTS FOR EACH OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FREE-FLOATING FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS DURING ASSEMBLY.
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL TIGHTEN THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE BOLTS TO SPECIFICATIONS, FREE OF CHARGE, WHERE FOUND NECESSARY.
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 1978 DASHER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 77V184000.
- 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: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Summary: ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE TWO GUIDE BOLTS FOR EACH OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FREE-FLOATING FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS DURING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL TIGHTEN THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE BOLTS TO SPECIFICATIONS, FREE OF CHARGE, WHERE FOUND NECESSARY.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; FRONT BRAKE CALIPER BOLTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: SEVERELY LOOSE BOLTS MAY INTERFERE WITH BRAKINGCAPABILITY AND A VEHICLE ACCIDENT MAY RESULT.NOTE: BRAKE NOISE AND VIBRATIONS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED MAY BE INDICATIONSTHAT THE BOLTS ARE LOOSE.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (1), Gasoline (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
03/16/1998 · Fuel system
ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP FAILURE.