1990 Volkswagen Corrado
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Volkswagen › Corrado › 1990
These records cover every 1990 Volkswagen Corrado. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1990 Volkswagen Corrado. Newest first.
In the event the engine overheats and the vehicle IS operated continuously in that condition, the coolant pressure will rise to a level at which the heat exchanger could leak.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A leaking heat exchanger will allow hot coolant to escape causing injury to the driver's feet or could steam up the interior of the vehicle temporarily impairing the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the heat exchanger on these vehicles.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
The fuel filter housing, which serves as the base for the fuel pump (located in the fuel tank) could deform, resulting in the fuel pump becoming loose.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A loose and improperly seated fuel pump can causereduced fuel flow to the engine resulting in possible drivability problems andstalling of the vehicle.
Remedy
Replace fuel filter.
Owner complaints
39 complaints2 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling
TL* the contact owns a 1990 volkswagen corrado. The contact was driving approximately 60-65 mph with the defroster activated when excessive amounts of steam began to emit through the vents. The vehicle was diagnosed by a certified mechanic who informed the contact that there was a small leak coming…
TL* the contact owns a 1990 volkswagen corrado. The contact was driving approximately 60-65 mph with the defroster activated when excessive amounts of steam began to emit through the vents. The vehicle was diagnosed by a certified mechanic who informed the contact that there was a small leak coming from the heater core. The vehicle was not repaired. There was a recall associated with the nhtsa campaign ID number: 96v115000 (engine and engine cooling:cooling system) but the contacts vin was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 136,000.
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
TL* the contact owns a 1990 volkswagen corrado. The heater core failed while driving. He noticed steam emitting from the vents as well as coolant on the windshield. He referenced recall 96v115000 and was told that his vehicle was not included in the recall but the dealer repaired the vehicle free…
TL* the contact owns a 1990 volkswagen corrado. The heater core failed while driving. He noticed steam emitting from the vents as well as coolant on the windshield. He referenced recall 96v115000 and was told that his vehicle was not included in the recall but the dealer repaired the vehicle free of charge in 1998. However, in 2009, the part failed again. He called the dealership and was told that they would not repair the vehicle free of charge this time and referred him to the manufacturer. When he called the manufacturer, he was told that since the warranty expired, no assistance would be provided. The current mileage was 217,762. The failure mileage was 217,758.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Dt*: the contact stated the heater core leaks. there IS an nhtsa recall, # 96v115000, regarding the engine and engine cooling: cooling system. the vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it IS not included in the recall due to the vin.
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Driving along an interstate at approximately 65 mph, the heater core in my 1990 VW corrado developed a major leak all of a sudden, causing very hot coolant to pour on my right leg and foot, and subsequently causing the windshield to steam up instantly, causing loss of outward vision and loss of…
Driving along an interstate at approximately 65 mph, the heater core in my 1990 VW corrado developed a major leak all of a sudden, causing very hot coolant to pour on my right leg and foot, and subsequently causing the windshield to steam up instantly, causing loss of outward vision and loss of control of the car. I was able to find the side of the road using the "rumble strips", and called a tow truck. I am aware of a recall on some 1990 VW corrados, but according to my dealer my vehicle IS not within the vin range for this recall, regardless of the fact my vehicle uses the same faulty heater core as the ones that are covered by the recall. The dealer will not agree to remedy the problem. *nm
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
While driving consumer noticed dashboard coolant indicator light illuminated, indicating engine overheated. windows became steamy, causing poor visibility. Recall 96v115000 was issued on this make, model, and year. However, this vehicle was not included under the recall due to vin. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Consumer states cooliant IS leaking into the vehicle while driving. Problem IS due to a heater coil failure, dealer and the mfr has been notified and informed that the vehicle vin# was not cover. ts
- Seat belts
Consumer states that the passenger side automatic seat belt stop working, it stuck in the out position, will not retract back into position. Leaving passenger un protected in an accident. nlm
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Volkswagen refuses to pay for seatbelt due to "age and miles" and "outside influences." there are several corrado owners who have had the same problem, therefore substantial evidence exists that indicates a defect. I am requesting both driver side and passenger side seatbelts to be replaced by the manufacturer, free of charge.*ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
No summary listed for above vehicle. *Ak
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Heater core failure which resulted in steam inside the passenger compartment and on the inside of the windshield, blocking visibility. contacted local volkswagen dealership and was told there IS no recall for this problem. was quoted $680.00 to repair.*ak
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Heater core failure caused windshield to fog up while driving. even with vents closed it still caused poor visibility. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under a recall due to vin. feel free to provide any further details on this matter. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
I purchased this car 3 years ago at a mileage of 109,000. All in all I have not driven the car for more than 2 and a half weeks since I've had it and I have already spent over $4000 dollars on it. IS that fair for a car with a price tag of 6,000 dollars used. I've spent the rest of the 3 years…
I purchased this car 3 years ago at a mileage of 109,000. All in all I have not driven the car for more than 2 and a half weeks since I've had it and I have already spent over $4000 dollars on it. IS that fair for a car with a price tag of 6,000 dollars used. I've spent the rest of the 3 years raising money trying to fix one problem after another. I am a student with a lemon and 2 part-time jobs trying to fix it. these 2 recalls were done on corrados with vin numbers within the following ranges: wvw_ _ _50_kk000001 - wvw_ _ _50_lk012692 . My corrado has the same problems and need the same parts replaces and despite this VW does not want to investigate this matter further. Please help me, cause I dont know what to do. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
While driving about 45 mph, all of sudden there was smoke in vehicle. vehicle to the dealership, where the heater core was changed. Vehicle was not included in 96v115000 vw/engine cooling system. Please provide any further information. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
$10,000 fire under the hood of the corrado while driving at 65 mph. No brakes, no seatbelt or harness release. My son and grandson were trapped.the electrical system was gone.chp came out as well as three engine companies.my corrado was gutted under the hood and the fire went out between the headlamps and under the car. *ak
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Heater core blew out, causing anti-freeze to leak into passenger's compartment. a recall has been issued on vehicle's make/model; however, this vehicle was not included due to vin. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
After recall repairs completed (96v-115 and 92v-058001), several failures due to repair problems (fuel system,wiring, speakers damaged). *mjs
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Seat belts › Front › Retractor · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
On jan. 13, 2000 I called a 1-8OO# to volkswagen of america to ask for an investigator to come and investigate[as a courtsey] why on jan. 6, 2000 my 1990 corrado with 39006 miles started an engine compartment fire while running 60 miles an hour on an interstate. The car had been driven 11 miles…
On jan. 13, 2000 I called a 1-8OO# to volkswagen of america to ask for an investigator to come and investigate[as a courtsey] why on jan. 6, 2000 my 1990 corrado with 39006 miles started an engine compartment fire while running 60 miles an hour on an interstate. The car had been driven 11 miles on the day when the fire started. The power and braking systems were gone. The retractable shoulder harness and seat belts would not release. Three fire engines from three different locations responded, a chp stopped to help. There IS a report that states well involved vehicle engine compartment fire. Unable to determine the cause of fire which included form of heat. I was told I had to many miles on my car.i bought an extended warranty on my car for seven years or seventy thousand miles.all recalls that we ever received notice of were taken in for recall checks. My windshield had a flat spot in it that I could never get them to exchange.the wipers never worked properly.just before this fire . My car had began to buck and shut off only to refire and start and continue running. The insurance adjuster would not listen to me about having an investigation.as I had just buried a family on the jan. 3, and my son and grandson were tramatized by the fire and the heat, plus being unable to get the seat belts and harnesses released. I don't want another three year old child to experience what nickolus did.every day he plays out the cars burning and the children being stuck in the car. Personally, I was amazed by the response that I got from volkswagon of america. Twenty thousand dollars seemed enormous when I bought the car but I was sold on a VW having owned several others over the years. At present I own a 1990 toyota truck, 1946 ford sedan and a 1931 model a rodster. I need some help and I need the message to get out to other corrado owners. As a previous burn survivor with over seventy[70] percent scaring and disfigurement I believe in prevention.sheri thurman
- Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
Car has uncontrolled idle speed. Could cause unintended accelleration. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Recall 96V- 115 000/ engine cooling system: vehicle experienced problem with hot coolant leaking into vehicle, may cause burns onto the foot or leg. Manufacturer was notified and informed consumer that vehicle was not part of recall. *ak
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
The driver's wiper doesn't wipe 2/3rds of windshield . noticed many other corrado's having same problem in clubs on internet. I've tried new blades and bending the arm(where the problem IS), doesn't help any. The only thing left IS to grind on the base of the arm to make the arm go low enough to…
The driver's wiper doesn't wipe 2/3rds of windshield . noticed many other corrado's having same problem in clubs on internet. I've tried new blades and bending the arm(where the problem IS), doesn't help any. The only thing left IS to grind on the base of the arm to make the arm go low enough to make full contact with windshield during it's full sweep. I don't feel like I should have to tamper with a safety item. It should work correctly no matter what.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
I have been to the heritage vw/subaru dealer in owings mills, md to repair this problem 3 times and had to pay for various services.
- Seat belts
Passenger's side shoulder belt doesn't work due a shortage in motorized shoulder belt. *Ak
- Equipment › Other › Labels · Structure › Frame and members
Poor design of rear panel holds license plate as well,falls off while driving, leaving you without a license plate in the rear. I worked in a VW dealer and this was a common complaint on corrado's and golfs.the corrado owners club of n.a. Also has numerous complaints on record for this common…
Poor design of rear panel holds license plate as well,falls off while driving, leaving you without a license plate in the rear. I worked in a VW dealer and this was a common complaint on corrado's and golfs.the corrado owners club of n.a. Also has numerous complaints on record for this common defect,and a safety issue,as it leaves vehicle without a rear license plate not to mention possible damages/accidents to anyone following that can be struck by license plate and panel falling off at speed! *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
G60 aluminum housing where rear brake outlet line from ABS unit leaks had to replace entire ABS unit
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · Electrical system › Starter assembly · Power train › Manual transmission
Transmission grinds when going into second gear.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10026848Volkswagen: exhaust heat shield, replacement guidelines. Heat shields are to be inspected after completion o any type of repair to the underbody (exhaust system transmission, etc.), and if damaged, replaced.
- 621613Subject regarding latch system lower anchors and tethers for children, installing / retrofitting.
- 53604Conditions with engine intermittently will not start.
Every Volkswagen Corrado model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.