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1987 Volkswagen GolfProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 4 owner complaints about the 1987 Volkswagen Golf, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints40 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem1Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 25, 2000. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 Volkswagen Golf has problems

4 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
Engine and engine cooling10
Fuel system, gasoline10
Seat belts10
Service brakes, hydraulic10

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

3 recalls

1987 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 →

–no report yet

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Recall 87V-063 · May 8, 1987 · 10,000 vehicles

Risk. AN IMPROPERLY TORQUED WHEEL MAY LOOSEN OVER A PERIOD OFTIME AND COULD EVENTUALLY SEPARATE, CAUSING 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

1987 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
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1987 Volkswagen Golf, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HEATER CORE FAILUREEA91054 · closed Jun 12, 1992
    Led to recall 92V-050
  2. HEATER CORE RUPTUREPE88091 · closed Dec 9, 1988
    No recall
In owners' words

What Golf owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED. NO PRIOR WARNING AS HAS HE WAS DRIVING. CONSUMER DRIFTED TO THE SHOULDER. HE TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND IT STARTED. *AK
Complaint 861527 · May 5, 2000

Own a 1987 Golf?

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