1988 Volkswagen Fox
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Volkswagen › Fox › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Volkswagen Fox. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1988 Volkswagen Fox. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
23 complaints1 involved a crash1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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…
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
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
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
- Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
While driving the hood unexpectedly popped up and broke the windshield. *yh both hinges securing the hood had broken from stress. *scc
- Visibility › Windshield
Consumer states windshiled was cracked, as a result of gravel being dumped on the highway.*jb
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
Pressure fuel hose was cracked and seeping gasoline. imminent leak/fire hazard. *ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
Front hood latch failed and the hood shattered the windshield. yh
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
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
- Power train › Manual transmission
The vehicle gears will not go into reverse instead it goes into first gear. Dealer has not seen. Mjs
- Visibility › Windshield
Front windshield leaks continually causing rust damage and electrical problems. Mjs
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
Odor of anti-freeze solution in the passenger compartment,.
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Dealer do not have the part in stock, install heater bypass valve.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
Hood latch failed causing hood to fly up and smash into windshield.
- Structure › Body
Vehicle was struck from the rear by another automobile, upon impact vehicle loss control/overturned, roof collapsed on the driver side, causing injury.
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Heater core failed prior to recall.
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
Radiator leak prior to recall. *Sd
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Heater core replaced after recall. *Sd
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Brake booster failure. *ak
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
The heater core runs hotter than before. Please describe. tt
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Consumer receive recall 95v105000 9/95 letter states part would be in by aug 31,1995 IS having that problem plus other problem with car . tt
- Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Driveshaft disconnected from transmission, resulting in vehicle being rear ended. *tw
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
#95V105000 receive recall call dealer to make appt there are no parts consumer IS having problem hard to see at night . tt
- Structure › Body › Hood
While driving, hood flew up then broke off. tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Heater core failure
There is no summary currently available
Every Volkswagen Fox model year
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