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Volkswagen VanagonYears to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 51 owner complaints and 15 safety recalls on record for the Volkswagen Vanagon.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints51Top: Fuel system, gasolineSafety recalls151980–1991 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Volkswagen Vanagon years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Vanagon median. Tap a year for its full report.

'80'81'82'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1991Not rated–/1009 complaints · 2 recalls1990Not rated–/10013 complaints · 2 recalls1989Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1988Not rated–/1003 complaints · 4 recalls1987Not rated–/10013 complaints · 7 recalls1986Not rated–/1008 complaints · 4 recalls1985Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1984Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1982Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1981Not rated–/1002 complaints · 2 recalls1980Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Volkswagen Vanagon problems

All model years combined: 51 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, gasoline194
Engine and engine cooling103
Equipment60
Electrical system52
Tires40
Seat belts20
Vehicle speed control10
Exterior lighting10
Fuel system, other11
3 other systems31
15 recalls

Volkswagen Vanagon recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Appliance: air conditioner93V-175 · 1986–1991 · Oct 29, 1993 · 29,500 vehicles–Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings92V-058 · 1990–1991 · Apr 14, 1992 · 358,000 vehicles–Vehicle speed control89V-067 · 1987–1989 · May 1, 1989 · 300 vehicles–Tires88V-076 · 1987–1988 · May 6, 1988 · 130 vehicles–Mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift88V-056 · 1988 · Apr 5, 1988 · 600 vehicles–Delivery: fuel pump88V-038 · 1986–1987 · Mar 23, 1988 · 12,000 vehicles–Seats: mid/rear assembly87V-083 · 1987 · Jun 8, 1987 · 2,397 vehicles–Power train: automatic transmission87V-085 · 1987 · Jun 8, 1987 · 1,600 vehicles–Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap87V-051 · 1986 · Apr 14, 1987 · 339 vehicles–Storage: tank assembly87V-052 · 1986–1987 · Apr 14, 1987 · 15,500 vehicles–Doors: latch85V-152 · 1985 · Nov 19, 1985 · 18,328 vehicles–Doors: latch84V-084 · 1981–1982 · Jul 10, 1984 · 16,000 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 15 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

4 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Vanagon

  1. OVERHEAD A/C SEPARATIONPE93043 · 1984–1991 · closed Oct 29, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-175
  2. SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILUREEA91026 · 1985–1991 · closed Jan 27, 1992
    No recall
  3. SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILUREPE91050 · 1986–1988 · closed Jun 4, 1991
    No recall
  4. FUEL LEAK, EVAPORATIVE VNTPE90024 · 1981–1986 · closed Feb 20, 1990
    No recall