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1987 Volkswagen Fox

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: 0 of 10 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Equipment. 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

10 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SYMPTOMS OF RECALL #95-V-10-5000 BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. RECALL DESCRIPTION: IN THE EVENT OF A COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENT FAILURE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE COOLANT CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING THE COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TO RISE TO A LEVEL WHERE A LEAK IN TH…

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THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SYMPTOMS OF RECALL #95-V-10-5000 BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. RECALL DESCRIPTION: IN THE EVENT OF A COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENT FAILURE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE COOLANT CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING THE COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TO RISE TO A LEVEL WHERE A LEAK IN THE HEAT EXCHANGER CAN OCCUR. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10016121

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

I OWN AN '87 VOLKSWAGEN FOX. I'M TOLD BY MANY PEOPLE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE COOLANT BYPASS VALVE. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO A COUPLE VW DEALERSHIPS AND ALSO CALLED VWOA AND THEY TELL ME MY CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. I'VE TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER VW FOX OWNERS AND I'M TOLD OTHERS HAVE ALSO GOTTEN THE RUN-AROUND WHE…

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I OWN AN '87 VOLKSWAGEN FOX. I'M TOLD BY MANY PEOPLE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE COOLANT BYPASS VALVE. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO A COUPLE VW DEALERSHIPS AND ALSO CALLED VWOA AND THEY TELL ME MY CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. I'VE TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER VW FOX OWNERS AND I'M TOLD OTHERS HAVE ALSO GOTTEN THE RUN-AROUND WHEN TRYING TO GET THE RECALL WORK DONE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10005099

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 1999
Visibility

DEALER WILL NOT PERFORM RECALL (95V105) WORK FOR THE HEATER CORE VALVE BECAUSE THE CONSUMER HAS A/C SYSTEM THAT DID NOT COME FROM THE FACTORY AND IT IS BLOCKING ACCESS TO THE VALVE. NLM

NHTSA ODI #549561

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 1999
Equipment

AFTER A/C IS ON AFTER 10 MILES IT START GETTING WARM

NHTSA ODI #707712

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

RECALL # 95V105000, RECALL CORRECTION, CAUSED AN INCREASE IN PRESSURE IN THE COOLING SYSTEM, CAUSING RADIATOR TO BURST. DEALER OR MANUFACTURER WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #814655

Mileage unknown · May 5, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER RECALL WORK WAS DONE OTHER PROBLEMS OCCURRED WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #812005

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 1997
Visibility

POOR HEATER CORE BYPASS RECALL REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #514385

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureVisibility

ENGINE HOSES TOO SMALL FOR ENGINE VALVES, CAUSING HOSES TO SPLIT/BULGE.

NHTSA ODI #511938

Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 1996
Engine And Engine Cooling

DEMONTROND AUTOMATIVE 96V105/TD. AFTER RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED VEHICLE OVERHEATED ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS, 11-2-96 AND 11-23-96. *AK

NHTSA ODI #805571

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 1996
Visibility

HEATER BYPASS VALVE FAILED. *DSH

NHTSA ODI #501300

Official recalls

3

95V105000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System

May 23, 1995

IN THE EVENT OF A COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENT FAILURE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE COOLANT CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING THE COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TO RISE TO A LEVEL WHERE A LEAK IN THE HEAT EXCHANGER CAN OCCUR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A LEAK OR FAILURE OF THE HEAT EXCHANGER LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD CAN ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE FEET OF A PASSENGER. HOT COOLANT CAN ALSO STEAM UP THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BYPASS VALVE KIT WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ROUTE EXCESSIVELY HOT COOLANT TO THE ENGINE WITHOUT FLOWING THROUGH THE HEAT EXCHANGER. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A PLASTIC COVER UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ENSURE THAT THE PASSENGER IS NOT EXPOSED TO HOT COOLANT IN THE EVENT OF A LEAK.

88V187000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

Dec 1, 1988

STEERING WHEEL/SHAFT DESIGNED TO USE SURFACE FRICTION MAY LOOSE THIS FRICTION IF GREASE OR OIL IS PRESENT ON THE CONESHAPED SURFACE OF THE STEERING SHAFT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE ABOVE CONDITION IS PRESENT AND THE STEERING WHEELNUT IS TORQUED LOWER THAN SPECIFIED, BREAK OF THE FRICTION LOCK COULD RESULT INLOOSENING AND SEPARATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL.

Remedy: REMOVE THE STEERING WHEEL OF VEHICLES AND CLEAN FRICTION SURFACE AND INSTALL A SPRING RETAINER, REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL NUT WITH A SELF LOCKING NUT.

87V162000 · Wheels

Oct 20, 1987

UNDER HEAVY LOAD CONDITIONS, THE REAR TIRE SIDEWALLS MAY CHAFE AGAINST THE WHEEL HOUSING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: PROLONGED CHAFING CAN CAUSE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR ANDCOULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR.

Remedy: INSTALL A DIFFERENT TYPE SPORT WHEELS OR INSTALL STANDARD WHEELS.

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

2

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

PE88102 · Steering Wheel Separation

Opened Sep 15, 1988 · Closed Jan 5, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available