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1985 Volkswagen CabrioletProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 6 owner complaints about the 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints60 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem3Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 8, 1999. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet has problems

6 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system30
Steering10
Structure10
Suspension10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.

Best & worst years

1985 vs. every other Cabriolet year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cabriolet median. How we score

'84'85'86'87'88'89'90
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HEATER CORE FAILUREEA91054 · closed Jun 12, 1992
    Led to recall 92V-050
In owners' words

What Cabriolet owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

ELECTRIC CABLES BETWEEN ALTERNATOR/BATTERY WERE CONNECTED TO HOT WATER PIPES GOING TO WATER RADIATOR. DUE TO EXTREME EXTERNAL SUMMER TEMPERATURE IN SOUTHERN SWITZERLAND, ELECTRIC CABLE CARBONIZE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION. *AK
Complaint 518375 · Aug 22, 1997
THE ELECTRIC CABLES SITUATED BETWEEN ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WHERE THEY ARE CLAMPT TO HOT WATER PIPES CARBONIZE, RESULTING IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE AND STALLING. *AK
Complaint 516019 · Apr 2, 1997
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS TO OPERATE WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS/DASH LIGHTS TO DIM UNTIL REACHING SPEEDS GREATER THAN 5 MPH.
Complaint 488787 · Sep 25, 1995

Own a 1985 Cabriolet?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.