IllustrationCONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING ANTI FREEZE WILL LEAK FROM THE ENGINE CAUSE AND DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
1990 Volkswagen Vanagon
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 →13Owner complaints
Model-year median: 2
2Recall 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
1990 Volkswagen Vanagon
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 13 owner complaints · 2 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)
- Fuel System, Gasoline: 5 reports
- Engine And Engine Cooling: 4 reports
- Electrical System: 2 reports
- Exterior Lighting: 1 reports
- Seat Belts: 1 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
- 93V175000 — Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner
- 92V058000 — Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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 Vanagon years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure 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 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 2 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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
4 reportsIGNITION COIL AND WIRES, DISTRIBUTOR CAR AND ROTOR AND OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED.
CONSUMER IS COMPLAINING OF A PLASTIC DELIVERING PIPE FOR COOLING WATER FROM THE ENGINE TO THE RADIATOR , THE END PULLED OFF WHICH DUMPED ALL OF THE WATER OUT OF VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST IS TO THE CONSUMER.*AK
DESIGN FLAW, CAUSING CORROSION OF ENGINE PARTS/LOSS OF COOLANT.
Recall campaigns
293V175000 · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner
Oct 29, 1993
THE PLASTIC MATERIAL OF THE CENTER AIR FLOW DUCT, WHICH IS FASTENED BY TWO MOUNTING SCREWS TO THE CEILING OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, CAN CRACK AND EVENTUALLY BREAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE PLASTIC BREAKS WHERE IT IS HELD AT THE TWOMOUNTING SCREWS, THE CENTER AIR FLOW DUCT CAN SEPARATE FROM ITS SUPPORTS ANDCAUSE INJURY TO THE PASSENGERS SITTING IN THE CENTER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT PLATE AT THE CONNECTIONS OF BOTH THE CENTER AND REAR AIR FLOW DUCTS.
92V058000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Apr 14, 1992
THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL ON THE ENGINE MAY SHRINK BEYOND THE CLAMP FORCE OF THE FUEL HOSE CLAMPS, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.
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
2PE93043 · Overhead A/c Separation
Opened May 5, 1993 · Closed Oct 29, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
EA91026 · Sliding Door Latch Failure
Opened Jun 4, 1991 · Closed Jan 27, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
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.