Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reports
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL TANK OF MY 1989 VW CABRIOLET.I CONTACTED THE DEALER 4 WEEKS AGO AND ASKED THEM ABOUT IT. THEY SAID THEY FOUND THE RECALL AND IT WAS STILL OPEN. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME NO PROBLEM. THEY THEN SAY THEY CANNOT FIND PARTS. IT'S IS A HUGE DEAL IF THE GAS TANK BLO…
Read full complaint
THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL TANK OF MY 1989 VW CABRIOLET.I CONTACTED THE DEALER 4 WEEKS AGO AND ASKED THEM ABOUT IT. THEY SAID THEY FOUND THE RECALL AND IT WAS STILL OPEN. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME NO PROBLEM. THEY THEN SAY THEY CANNOT FIND PARTS. IT'S IS A HUGE DEAL IF THE GAS TANK BLOWS UP AND THEY ACT LIKE IT'S NOT. THEY SAID THEY CAN'T FIND PARTS SO THEY DON'T CARE. I FEEL LIKE THE SEAMS OF THE TANK ARE LEAKING AND VW IS RESPONSIBLE.
NHTSA ODI #11093775
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1989 Volkswagen Cabrio Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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