1988 Volkswagen Vanagon recalls & complaints

1. Equipment

What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. THE PLASTIC MATERIAL OF THE CENTER AIR FLOW DUCT, WHICH IS FASTENED BY TWO MOUNTING SCREWS TO THE CEILING OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, CAN CRACK AND EVENTUALLY BREAK.

What could happen: IF THE PLASTIC BREAKS WHERE IT IS HELD AT THE TWOMOUNTING SCREWS, THE CENTER AIR FLOW DUCT CAN SEPARATE FROM ITS SUPPORTS ANDCAUSE INJURY TO THE PASSENGERS SITTING IN THE CENTER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE.

The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT PLATE AT THE CONNECTIONS OF BOTH THE CENTER AND REAR AIR FLOW DUCTS.

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 1988 VANAGON.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V175000.
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. Wheels / tires

What's wrong, in plain English: A wheel or tire can fail while driving. DUE TO IMPROPER MOUNTING PROCESS, SEMPERIT TIRES 20570R14 MOUNTED ON ALLOY WHEEL SIZE 6J X 14 COULD EXPERIENCE TINY CRACKS IN THE BEAD AREA.

What could happen: TIRES COULD LOSE AIR, CREATING POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OFVEHICLE CONTROL.

The fix: REPLACE TIRES AS NECESSARY.

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 1988 VANAGON.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 88V076000.
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. Equipment

What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. IMPROPER JACK FURNISHED WITH VEHICLES.

What could happen: THE JACK MAY NOT REACH FAR ENOUGH INTO THE JACKETSPROVIDED ON BOTH SIDED OF THE VEHICLE. IF THE IMPROPER JACK IS USED, IT COULDSLIP AND POSSIBLY INJURE A PERSON STANDING TOO CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE.

The fix: REPLACE JACK WITH THE PROPER TYPE FOR VEHICLE.

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 1988 VANAGON.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 88V056000.
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. Vehicle Speed Control

What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL THE ACCELERATOR CABLE TENSION MAY ALLOW THE CABLE TO SAG AND BECOME ENTANGLED WITH THE WATER PIPE BRACKET IMPEDING ITS RETURN TO IDLE POSITION.

What could happen: FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE POSITION COULD LEAD TO ANACCIDENT.

The fix: THE PRESENT ACCELERATOR CABLE BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED.

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 1988 VANAGON.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 89V067000.
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: Fuel system (3), Gasoline (3), Body / structure (1).

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