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1990 Volkswagen CabrioletProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 8 owner complaints about the 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints80 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem5Air bags

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 15, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet has problems

8 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
Air bags50
Fuel system, gasoline30
Engine and engine cooling10
Equipment10

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

4 recalls

1990 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

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 92V-058 · Apr 14, 1992 · 358,000 vehicles

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH 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 →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 91V-162 · Sep 11, 1991 · 11,300 vehicles

Risk. INTERFERENCE WITH THE FREE MOVEMENT OF THE ACCELERATORLINKAGE COULD RESULT IN UNWANTED ACCELERATION WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

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

1990 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 1990 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 air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER 91V215000 CONCERNING THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO SEND ANOTHER LETTER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE AIR BAG DEFECT HAS OCCURRED. *AK THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH MEANT THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF A COLLISION. *PH *JB
Complaint 10032015 · Sep 15, 2003
WHILE DRIVING, AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY, DUE TO AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT MALFUNCTIONED, DLR/MFR WON'T ASSIST. TT
Complaint 979375 · Feb 20, 1996

Own a 1990 Cabriolet?

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