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1989 Volkswagen GolfProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 17 owner complaints about the 1989 Volkswagen Golf, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints174 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem5Seat belts

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 6, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Volkswagen Golf has problems

17 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
Seat belts51
Visibility42
Service brakes, hydraulic40
Engine and engine cooling30
Power train30
Electrical system20
Vehicle speed control20
Tires10
Equipment10
1 other systems10

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

3 recalls

1989 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

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 93V-129 · Aug 2, 1993 · 76,000 vehicles

Risk. DIMINISHED BRAKING CAN RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–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

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 →

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 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 1989 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 seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CONSUMER IS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF HER BELT RESTRAINTS. THEY ONLY CONSIST OF SHOULDER BELTS THAT DO NOT PROVIDE ANY RESTRAINT, NO LAP BELTS. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS UNSAFE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE LOCAL VW DEALER SHIP TO NO AVAIL. *JG
Complaint 785943 · Apr 10, 2002
I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER OF THE 1989 VW GOLF. IT ONLY CAME WITH A SHOULDER-TYPE SEATBELT (NO LAPBELTS) FOR THE FRONT SEATS. I RECENTLY BROUGHT MY CAR IN THE THE GARAGE FOR THE YEARLY INSPECTION AND THE MAN SAID HE COULD NOT INSPECT THE CAR BECAUSE IT HAD NO LAP BELTS. MY QUESTION IS: DID VW…
Complaint 747047 · Jun 19, 2001
CONSUMER PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE WHICH HAD AN UNSAFE INCOMPLETE SEAT BELT (THE LAP BELT WAS MISSING), THE SALESMAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A LAP BELT BUT AFTER ASKING VW DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MADE WITHOUT A LAP BELT. NLM
Complaint 554342 · Sep 5, 2000

Own a 1989 Golf?

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