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1987 Volkswagen Golf
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →4Owner complaints
Model-year median: 18
3Recall campaignsView recall details →
2InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
1987 Volkswagen Golf
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 4 owner complaints · 3 recall campaigns · 2 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Engine And Engine Cooling: 1 reports
- Fuel System, Gasoline: 1 reports
- Seat Belts: 1 reports
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
- 92V050000 — Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:heater Core
- 87V063000 — Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
- 87V053000 — Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Golf years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure 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 4 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 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. 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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
1 reportsRecall campaigns
392V050000 · 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.
87V063000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
May 8, 1987
THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL LUG NUTS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TORQUED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY TORQUED WHEEL MAY LOOSEN OVER A PERIOD OFTIME AND COULD EVENTUALLY SEPARATE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSPECT AND RE-TORQUE LEFT FRONT WHEEL LUG NUTS.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
2EA91054 · 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
PE88091 · Heater Core Rupture
Opened Aug 9, 1988 · Closed Dec 9, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.