1985 Volkswagen Golf recalls & complaints

1. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, P/N 171.611.107B, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1975-1985 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RABBIT; 1985-1992 VW GOLF; AND 1980-1992 VW JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD OCCUR WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES."

What could happen: BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

The fix: FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE BRAKE HOSES WITH COMPLIANT BRAKE HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS AT 305-885-8646 EXT. 11.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1985 GOLF.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06E018000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Visibility (wipers / glass)

What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. 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.

What could happen: 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.

The fix: REPLACE THE HEATER CORE WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER CORE.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1985 GOLF.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 92V050000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Seat belts

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY NOT PROPERLY LOCK DURING SUDDEN HEAVY BRAKE APPLICATION OR IMPACT DUE TO THE INTERFERENCE OF TWO POSITIONING TABS. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETAIN THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SUBJECTING THEM TO POSSIBLE INJURY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.

What could happen:

The fix: REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELTS AND MODIFY THE RETRACTOR POSITIONING TABS.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1985 GOLF.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 85V031000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Fuel system

What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE FUEL TANK, COULD SEIZE DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF AN EXTREME FINE MESH FUEL FILTER RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW.

What could happen: FUEL SUPPLY TO ENGINE WOULD BE PARTIALLY INTERRUPTED,RESULTING IN STALLING.

The fix: INSTALL A MODIFIED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1985 GOLF.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V053000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

5. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. A DEFECT HAS BEEN FOUND IN THE ASSEMBLY OF SOME MASTER BRAKE CYLINDERS. DURING ASSEMBLY, INTERNAL PARTS OF THE MASTER CYLINDER (PISTON CUPS) MAY HAVE BEEN INTERCHANGED.

What could happen:

The fix: THE MASTER CYLINDER WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1985 GOLF.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 84V137000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

6. Fuel system

What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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.

What could happen:

The fix: REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY WITH A MODIFIED UNIT.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1985 GOLF.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 86V029000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Visibility (wipers / glass) (5), Transmission / drivetrain (3), Engine (2), Fuel system (2), Gasoline (2).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.