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1985 Volkswagen GolfProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 10 owner complaints about the 1985 Volkswagen Golf, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints103 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem4Visibility

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 14, 1999. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1985 Volkswagen Golf has problems

10 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
Visibility41
Power train30
Engine and engine cooling21
Fuel system, gasoline21
Equipment10
Vehicle speed control10

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

5 recalls

1985 Volkswagen Golf 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

Defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core

Recall 92V-050 · Apr 14, 1992 · 650,000 vehicles

Risk. THE COOLANT ESCAPING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULDCONTACT THE DRIVER'S FEET AND INJURE THE DRIVER.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall

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 Golf 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 Golf median. How we score

'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

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

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

What Golf owners report

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

RECALLED HEATER CORE FAILED CAUSING ANTIFEEZE TO FLOW FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD ONTO BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR SPLATTERING LIQUID ON DRIVER AND DOG RESULTING IN INJURY.
Complaint 544186 · Mar 2, 1999

Own a 1985 Golf?

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