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Volkswagen VolkswagenYears to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 74 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on record for the Volkswagen Volkswagen.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints74Top: Electrical systemSafety recalls21949–2003 model years

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

Best & worst years

Volkswagen Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen median. Tap a year for its full report.

'49'50'51'52'53'54'55'56'57'58'59'60'61'62'63'64'65'66'67'68'69'71'78'81'87'90'91'92'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2003Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls2002Not rated–/1007 complaints · 0 recalls2001Not rated–/1009 complaints · 0 recalls2000Not rated–/10012 complaints · 0 recalls1999Not rated–/1005 complaints · 0 recalls1998Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1997Not rated–/1006 complaints · 0 recalls1996Not rated–/1009 complaints · 0 recalls1995Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls1994Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls1992Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1991Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1990Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1987Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1981Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1978Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1971Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1969Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1968Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1967Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1966Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1965Not rated–/1002 complaints · 1 recall1964Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1963Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1962Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1961Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1960Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1959Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1958Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1957Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1956Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1955Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1954Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1953Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1952Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1951Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1950Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1949Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Volkswagen Volkswagen problems

All model years combined: 74 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
Electrical system161
Engine and engine cooling151
Power train91
Tires91
Service brakes, hydraulic71
Equipment61
Seats40
Air bags31
Fuel system, gasoline30
8 other systems172
2 recalls

Volkswagen Volkswagen recalls

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

–Other: labels81V-103 · 1981 · Sep 9, 1981 · 7,400 vehicles–Visibility: windshield wiper/washer72V-256 · 1949–1969 · Oct 26, 1972 · 3,700,000 vehicles