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1981 Volkswagen VanagonProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 1981 Volkswagen Vanagon, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints21 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Fuel system, gasoline

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 30, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1981 Volkswagen Vanagon 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
Fuel system, gasoline21

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

2 recalls

1981 Volkswagen Vanagon 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.

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

1981 vs. every other Vanagon 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 Vanagon median. How we score

'80'81'82'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1981 Volkswagen Vanagon, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL LEAK, EVAPORATIVE VNTPE90024 · closed Feb 20, 1990
    No recall
In owners' words

What Vanagon owners report

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

WHEN DRIVING OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER, WATER GETS TRAPPED ON TOP OF FUEL TANK, CAUSING TANK TO RUST, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAKAGE. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
Complaint 826306 · Aug 5, 1998
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, A BIG CLOUD OF SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, WHEN LIFTING THE COVER TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CONSUMER COULD SEE IT BURNING WITH A BRIGHT WHITE FLAME, CONSUMER STATES THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL INJECTION…
Complaint 566958 · Jul 30, 2002

Own a 1981 Vanagon?

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