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1986 Volkswagen GolfProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 13 owner complaints about the 1986 Volkswagen Golf, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints132 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem4Fuel system, gasoline

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 5, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Volkswagen Golf has problems

13 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, gasoline41
Structure30
Visibility31
Vehicle speed control10
Seat belts10
Power train10
Electrical system10

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

4 recalls

1986 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 →

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

1986 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
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Volkswagen Golf, and the recalls they led to.

  1. WINDSHIELD WIPERSEA89006 · closed Oct 31, 1989
    No recall
  2. HEATER CORE FAILUREEA91054 · closed Jun 12, 1992
    Led to recall 92V-050
  3. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREPE88049 · closed Nov 29, 1988
    No recall
In owners' words

What Golf owners report

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

WHILE SITTING WITH VEHICLE RUNNING FUEL PUMP OPERATED ERRATICALLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC AND THEY REPLACED FUEL FILTER. CONSUMER STATED IF SITTING TOO LONG AT A LIGHT VEHICLE WILL STALL AND SHUT OFF. *AK
Complaint 890465 · Jun 15, 2001
GAS TANK LEAKS AS IT NEARS THE 10 GALLON POINT AND IT APPEARS TO COME FROM ON TOP OF THE TANK ASSEMBLY NEAR THE POINT WHERE THE FILLER TUBE AND TANK WERE MOLDED TOGETHER DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL. *AK
Complaint 706515 · May 14, 1999
RECALL COMPONENTS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN FUEL PUMP 87V053, FUEL TANK 86V149, FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY 86V029 AND HEATER CORE 92V050. NLM
Complaint 553773 · Aug 11, 2000

Own a 1986 Golf?

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