Volkswagen CABRIOLET problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
130,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1984 to 1990 model years. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 27 complaints (48.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 13 | 48.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 13 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 13; Air Bags: 3; Structure:Frame And Members: 3; Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Steering: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 22 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 4 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
1995: 4; 1996: 1; 2000: 6; 2001: 4; 2002: 3; 2003: 4; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 13 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10024749 · 2003-06-23 (June 23, 2003)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH ITS FUEL TANK AS STATED IN RECALL # 94V065000; BUT, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024749 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8016770 · 2002-08-20 (August 20, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING FUEL TANK CRACKED, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8016770 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10221871 · 2008-03-20 (March 20, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIOLET. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A VOLKSWAGEN REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL FOR HER YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO HER VIN. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT HER VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE SHE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME DEFECT. THE TRANSMISSION TYPE, RECALL NUMBER, AND MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/11/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER REPAIR IS PERFORMED BY …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10221871 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10329430 · 2010-05-08 (May 8, 2010)
1 NORMAL DRIVING 2 LOWER BEARING OF THE STEERING COLUMN FALLS FROM BEARING RACE, CREATES HAZARDOUS STEERING 3 A PLASTIC BEARING RETAINER IS THE FACTORY REPLACEMENT AND THIS BRAKES CAUSING THE FAILURE. REPLACEMENT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10329430 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488787 · 1995-09-25 (September 25, 1995)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS TO OPERATE WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS/DASH LIGHTS TO DIM UNTIL REACHING SPEEDS GREATER THAN 5 MPH.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488787 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 0 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 3 |
| 1988 | 2 |
| 1989 | 2 |
| 1990 | 4 |
1984: 0; 1985: 1; 1986: 1; 1987: 3; 1988: 2; 1989: 2; 1990: 4