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1989 Volkswagen CabrioletProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 9 owner complaints about the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints90 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage130kFuel system, gasoline, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 20, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet has problems

9 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
Fuel system, gasoline70
Fuel system, other20

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

2 recalls

1989 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.

–no report yet

Storage: tank assembly

Recall 94V-065 · Apr 8, 1994 · 7,500 vehicles

Risk. FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACKED FUEL TANK WHICH COULD CATCH FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Storage: tank assembly

Recall 91V-201 · Nov 18, 1991 · 51,000 vehicles

Risk. FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACKED FUEL TANK WHICH COULDCATCH FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

1989 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
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet, and the recalls they led to.

  1. GAS TANK LEAKSEA91016 · closed Nov 27, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-201
  2. HEATER CORE FAILUREEA91054 · closed Jun 12, 1992
    Led to recall 92V-050
  3. GAS TANK LEAKSPE91007 · closed Feb 28, 1991
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cabriolet owners report

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIOLET. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A VOLKSWAGEN REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL FOR HER YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO HER VIN. THE CONTACT…
Complaint 10221871 · Mar 20, 2008
VOLKSWAGEN SAYS RECALL DOESN'T APPEAR IN THEIR SYSTEM, VIN [XXX] FALLS INTO THE CATEGORY AND NO LOCAL DEALERS HAVE DONE THIS RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE... GAS TANK IS LEAKING FROM SAID AREA PROFUSELY, WHICH RUNS THE RISK OF AN EXPLOSION. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE…
Complaint 10156485 · May 1, 2006 · 130,000 miles
FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER WILL FIX AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. *PH TWO RECALLS WERE ISSUED RELATED TO THIS FAILURE, 94V-065000 AND 91V-201000. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE ISSUED. *NLM
Complaint 10039870 · Nov 18, 2003

Own a 1989 Cabriolet?

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