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1987 Volkswagen GTIProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 1987 Volkswagen GTI, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints20 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 6, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 Volkswagen GTI has problems

2 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 cooling20

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

2 recalls

1987 Volkswagen GTI 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 GTI 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 GTI median. How we score

'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What GTI owners report

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

A RECALL HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR MY SON'S AUTOMOBILE. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WHEN I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY IF THE DEFECT HAD BEEN ADDRESSED IN A PRIOR REPAIR FOR A PRIOR OWNER. THE RECALL NUMBER IS "92V050000". NO INCIDENT HAS OCCURED YET. I AM TRYING TO ADDRESS…
Complaint 10112594 · Mar 6, 2005

Own a 1987 GTI?

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