1989 Volkswagen Golf
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Volkswagen › Golf › 1989
These records cover every 1989 Volkswagen Golf. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 1989 Volkswagen Golf. Newest first.
Certain hydraulic brake hoses, p/n 171.611.107b, sold as replacement equipment for 1975-1985 volkswagen (VW) rabbit; 1985-1992 VW golf; and 1980-1992 VW jetta passenger vehicles. possible brake hose rupture could occur which fails to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 106, "brake hoses."
Risk and remedy
Risk
Brake hose rupture could result in loss of braking ability, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Foreign parts distributors will notify owners and replace the brake hoses with compliant brake hoses. the recall began on march 30, 2006. owners may contact foreign parts distributors at 305-885-8646 ext. 11.
An engine preheating tube may not be properly supported due to a missing support bracket, causing the preheating tube to chafe against the right front metal brake line. This can damage the hydraulic line, causing brake fluid leakage and diminished braking in one brake circuit.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Diminished braking can result in increased stoppingdistances and a possible accident.
Remedy
Dealers will install a preheating tube support bracket to ensure proper positioning relative to the right front metal brake line.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
Owner complaints
17 complaints1 involved a crash3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Heater core IS leaking fluid onto the floor boards. Consumer IS concerned that this may result in vehicle catching on fire. *ak *nm
- Seat belts › Front › Webbing
Consumer IS concerned with the safety of her belt restraints. they only consist of shoulder belts that do not provide any restraint, no lap belts. Consumer feels this IS unsafe. consumer contacted the local VW dealer ship to no avail. *jg
- Seat belts › Front
I have been the only owner of the 1989 VW golf. It only came with a shoulder-type seatbelt (no lapbelts) for the front seats. I recently brought my car in the the garage for the yearly inspection and the man said he could not inspect the car because it had no lap belts. My question IS: did VW…
I have been the only owner of the 1989 VW golf. It only came with a shoulder-type seatbelt (no lapbelts) for the front seats. I recently brought my car in the the garage for the yearly inspection and the man said he could not inspect the car because it had no lap belts. My question IS: did VW forget to install lap belts in my car, or IS my car "ok" as IS. if car IS "ok" then can you send me documentation to show my mechanic that my VW did not require lapbelts. thank-you. *Ak
- Vehicle speed control
When outside temperature IS below 20 degrees or colder throttle IS sticking, causing unwanted and unexpected acceleration. Also, when depressing clutch, engine reeves up. Problem IS intermittent. *ak
- Seat belts › Front
Consumer purchased a used vehicle which had an unsafe incomplete seat belt (the lap belt was missing), the salesman stated that the vehicle was manufactured without a lap belt but after asking VW dealer discovered that the vehicle was not made without a lap belt. nlm
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Heater core exploded through floor of car on interstate 5, sending boiling hot water onto driver's right foot, severely burning foot and filling car with dirty steam and reducing vision to zero, causing collision with freeway barrier wall
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages · Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Pedals frame was not properly welded to body frame causing frame to twist when brake or clutch pedal was depressed leading to the breaking of the frame.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
The seat belt shoulder restraint failed resulting in driver's injury accident. Yh
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Defect reported to owner after inspection of vehicle by certified mechanic. Inspection indicated that coolant loss was caused by a hole in the engine block that had rusted through from the exterior of the block, indicating that the block had been cast poorly or improperly. VW contacted and failed…
Defect reported to owner after inspection of vehicle by certified mechanic. Inspection indicated that coolant loss was caused by a hole in the engine block that had rusted through from the exterior of the block, indicating that the block had been cast poorly or improperly. VW contacted and failed to suggest a resolution since car IS beyond period covered by warranty. Car has had one original owner and has only 56,ooo original miles. *Ak
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Power train › Automatic transmission · Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift · Power train › Driveline › Constant velocity joint · Service brakes, hydraulic › Brake fluid low warning › Lamp · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Tires
Water pump failed.
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Electrical system › Ignition · Electrical system › Starter assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Power train › Clutch assembly · Power train › Driveline › Constant velocity joint · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Valve cover gasket failed.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
The driver's side rear door spring rusted out and broke door latch failed. *ak the expansion spring in the door latch rusted, broke, and caused the whole door latch to become completely inoperable, consumer states the location of the latch IS in a spot where it has access to water, dirt, and components that are subject to rust. *slc
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Brakes failed. *Sd
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Heater core failed, causing overheated water to spill on driver's legs, resulting in injuries prior to recall (92v-050). *ak
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
Heater core burst, causing boiling/hot water to spill on driver's legs, resulting in an injury, prior to recall (attorney for client). (92V-005). *Ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Driver's/passenger's restraint system IS ineffective and needs to be improved. *skd
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Internal transmission seal has deteriorated, which may cause fluid to mixhesitate/seize. 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
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.
- 621613Subject regarding latch system lower anchors and tethers for children, installing / retrofitting.
Every Volkswagen Golf model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.