1987 Volkswagen Scirocco 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. 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 1987 SCIROCCO.
- 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.
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. 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
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1987 SCIROCCO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V053000.
- 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:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Summary: FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE FUEL TANK, COULD SEIZE DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF AN EXTREME FINE MESH FUEL FILTER RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW.
Consequence: FUEL SUPPLY TO ENGINE WOULD BE PARTIALLY INTERRUPTED,RESULTING IN STALLING.
Remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL PUMP.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH A DUAL FUEL PUMP SYSTEM.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (8), Gasoline (8), Transmission / drivetrain (7).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
11/26/2003 · Fuel system
MY CAR BEGAN LEAKING GAS RECENTLY. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR I COULD SEE (AND I HAVE WITNESSES) THAT GAS IS RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE GAS TANK WHEN I FILL THE TANK UP. I FOUND OUT FROM SPEAKING TO SCIROCCO OWNERS ONLINE THAT MANY EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, AND SHOWED ME THE RECALL ON THE DEFECTIVE GAS TANK LISTED ON NHTSA.DOT.GOV. I THEN TOOK TH…
10/24/2000 · Transmission / drivetrain
THE VW TRANSMISSION, KNOWN AS THE 020, ON THE 16V MODELS ARE GARBAGE. RING GEAR RIVITS SHEAR AND ARE PUNCHED THROUGH THE HOUSING DESTROYING THE UNIT COMPLETELY. I HAVE GONE THROUGH FIVE AND HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS FALL VICTOM TO THIS POORLY MANUFACTURED PART. VW CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY AND OWNERS ARE LEFT TO FIX THEIR CARS OUT OF POCKET.*AK
10/15/2000 · Transmission / drivetrain
NO SUMMARY
10/15/2000 · Transmission / drivetrain
ALL THREE OF THESE TRANSMISSION FAILURES COST ME A TOTAL OF $2700 DUE TO THE FACT THAT 2 CLIPS WERE TAKEN OUT OF THE DESIGN. THESE TWO CLIPS WOULD HAVE COST THE MFGR ABOUT $0.50 OR SO AND COST ME ALOT MORE THAN THAT
10/15/2000 · Transmission / drivetrain
NO SUMMARY. *AK
10/14/2000 · Fuel system
CONTACTED VW DEALERSHIP AFTER BEING NOTIFIED REPEATEDLY BY VWOA TO GET THE TANK REPLACED AND THEY REFUSED TO CHANGE IT AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR A DAY AND PUTTING 30 MILES ON IT...AM I GOING TO BLOW UP NOW?> ALSO... CIRCLIPS IN TRANSMISSION CASING MAKE THE TRANSMISSION GRENADE AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED.
10/14/2000 · Fuel system
CONTACTED VW DEALERSHIP AFTER BEING NOTIFIED REPEATEDLY BY VWOA TO GET THE TANK REPLACED AND THEY REFUSED TO CHANGE IT AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR A DAY AND PUTTING 30 MILES ON IT...AM I GOING TO BLOW UP NOW?> ALSO... CIRCLIPS IN TRANSMISSION CASING MAKE THE TRANSMISSION GRENADE AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED.
10/14/2000 · Fuel system
CONTACTED VW DEALERSHIP AFTER BEING NOTIFIED REPEATEDLY BY VWOA TO GET THE TANK REPLACED AND THEY REFUSED TO CHANGE IT AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR A DAY AND PUTTING 30 MILES ON IT...AM I GOING TO BLOW UP NOW? ALSO..CIRCLIPS IN TRANSMISSION CASING MADE THE TRANSMISSION GRENADE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NLM' **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OV…