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NHTSA recalls, safety ratings, and consumer complaints for the 1988 Volkswagen FOX.
| Trim | City | Hwy | Combined | Annual fuel $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4 cyl Manual 4-spd | 22 | 27 | 24 | $2,500 |
| 1.8L 4 cyl Manual 5-spd | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,600 |
NHTSA has not published 5-star crash-test ratings for the 1988 Volkswagen FOX. New vehicles are often added to the NCAP rating program after initial release; check nhtsa.gov/ratings for the latest status.
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
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: 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.
Component: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
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: 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.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST ALL BRAKING FUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION FROM THE METAL BRAKE LINE TO THE REAR RIGHT SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 164,955 UPDATED 8/3/09 *CN UPDATED 08/05/09.*JB
WHILE DRIVING COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH DASHBOARD ON DRIVER'S FEET. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEATER COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING THE HOOD UNEXPECTEDLY POPPED UP AND BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. *YH BOTH HINGES SECURING THE HOOD HAD BROKEN FROM STRESS. *SCC
CONSUMER STATES WINDSHILED WAS CRACKED, AS A RESULT OF GRAVEL BEING DUMPED ON THE HIGHWAY.*JB
The 1988 Volkswagen FOX has 2 NHTSA recalls and 26 consumer complaints on file. For the most detailed information about a specific vehicle, decode its VIN using our free decoder above.
Enter a specific VIN to get the full report — specs, recalls, safety ratings, complaints, investigations, and technical service bulletins.
PRESSURE FUEL HOSE WAS CRACKED AND SEEPING GASOLINE. IMMINENT LEAK/FIRE HAZARD. *AK
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT HEATER CORE BLEW UP, CAUSING ANTI-FREEZE TO SPRAY ON THE CONSUMER AND FAMILY, AND SMOKE SPARKS WERE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK
THE VEHICLE GEARS WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE INSTEAD IT GOES INTO FIRST GEAR. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN. MJS
FRONT WINDSHIELD LEAKS CONTINUALLY CAUSING RUST DAMAGE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. MJS
HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL RECALL 95V105000. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & HAD THE COOLING SYSTEM REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SOMETIMES LATER, SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM COOLING SYSTEM AREA. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THEN CONTACTED THE DEALER. VEHICLE WILL BE GOING ON JAN. 22, 1999. *AK
HOOD LATCH FAILED CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP AND SMASH INTO WINDSHIELD.
FRONT HOOD LATCH FAILED AND THE HOOD SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. YH
ODOR OF ANTI-FREEZE SOLUTION IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT,.
ANTIFREEZE ODOR PRESENT IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, HOWEVER DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO INSTALL HEATER BYPASS VALVE UNDER RECALL DUE TO AN AFTER MARKET AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM BEING INSTALLED ON VEHICLE. CONSUMER INSISTS THE A/C SYSTEM WAS ON THE VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED. (95V-105)
VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR BY ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE, UPON IMPACT VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL/OVERTURNED, ROOF COLLAPSED ON THE DRIVER SIDE, CAUSING INJURY.
HEATER CORE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL.
Showing 15 of 26 complaints