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1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

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: 3 of 9 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 System, Gasoline. Review the 7 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

Fuel System, Other complaints

2 reports
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125,000 miles · Mar 18, 2005
Fuel System, Other

VEHICLE HAD A WET SUBSTANCE ON THE GROUND. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, AND THE LEAK WAS DETERMINED TO BE GAS. THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE GAS TANK. CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON A RECALL. MANUFACTURER TOLD CONSUMER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEAL…

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VEHICLE HAD A WET SUBSTANCE ON THE GROUND. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, AND THE LEAK WAS DETERMINED TO BE GAS. THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE GAS TANK. CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON A RECALL. MANUFACTURER TOLD CONSUMER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE IF REPAIRS WILL BE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10115379

75,839 miles · Nov 8, 2004
Fuel System, Other

1989 VW CABRIOLET FUEL TANK HAS DEFECTIVE SEAM WELD IN FUEL TANK AS DOCUMENTED IN CAMPAIGN # 94V065000. TANK HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED, YET VW SAYS THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10098476

Official recalls

2

94V065000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Apr 8, 1994

A CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK ADJACENT TO A SEAM WELD IN THE REAR OF THE TANK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACKED FUEL TANK WHICH COULD CATCH FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE VEHICLE WITH A SPECIALLY DESIGNED TOOL FOR THE PRESENCE OF A TANK CRACK, AND REPLACE THE FUEL TANK IF THE DEFECT IS PRESENT.

91V201000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Nov 18, 1991

A CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK ADJACENT TO A SEAM WELD IN THE REAR OF THE TANK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACKED FUEL TANK WHICH COULDCATCH FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy: CHECK VEHICLE WITH A SPECIALLY DESIGNED TOOL FOR THE PRESENCE OF A FUEL TANK CRACK, AND REPLACE FUEL TANK IF DEFECT IS FOUND.

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

3

EA91054 · Heater Core Failure

Opened Dec 9, 1991 · Closed Jun 12, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System

There is no summary currently available

EA91016 · Gas Tank Leaks

Opened Feb 28, 1991 · Closed Nov 27, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE91007 · Gas Tank Leaks

Opened Oct 29, 1990 · Closed Feb 28, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available