IllustrationSUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. (ORIGINAL DOCUMENT ON 482158). *SKD
1986 Volkswagen Golf
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Golf years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 13 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 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 3 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 reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
1 reportsOfficial recalls
492V050000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:heater Core
Apr 14, 1992
THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE COOLANT ESCAPING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULDCONTACT THE DRIVER'S FEET AND INJURE THE DRIVER. ALSO, STEAM FROM THE HEATEDLIQUID WILL CLOUD ON THE WINDOW SURFACES AND IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S VISION ANDCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE HEATER CORE WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER CORE.
87V053000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Apr 14, 1987
FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE FUEL TANK, COULD SEIZE DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF AN EXTREME FINE MESH FUEL FILTER RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL SUPPLY TO ENGINE WOULD BE PARTIALLY INTERRUPTED,RESULTING IN STALLING.
Remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER.
86V149000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Nov 7, 1986
MORE FUEL THAN PERMITTED BY FMVSS 301 MAY ESCAPE FROM THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: CARS ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 301.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY WITH A MODIFIED UNIT.
86V029000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Feb 20, 1986
MORE FUEL THAN PERMITTED BY FMVSS 301 MAY ESCAPE FROM THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY UNDER THE TEST CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN THE STANDARD. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE CAR IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE FUEL SPILLAGE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY WITH A MODIFIED UNIT.
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
3EA91054 · 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
EA89006 · Windshield Wipers
Opened Nov 30, 1988 · Closed Oct 31, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
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PE88049 · Windshield Wiper Failure
Opened Apr 27, 1988 · Closed Nov 29, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
There is no summary currently available