1981 Volkswagen Vanagon
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Volkswagen › Vanagon › 1981
These records cover every 1981 Volkswagen Vanagon. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1981 Volkswagen Vanagon. Newest first.
Spring, which holds the latch on the front door locks, may break and door may open unexpectedly.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Springs will be replaced on all affected locks without charge.
During vehicle operation, the pop top could loosen from its anchor due to wind pressure. It could open and separate entirely from the vehicle.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, modify anchorages to make sure pop top will be secured under normal operating conditions.
Owner complaints
2 complaints1 involved a fire
Latest complaints
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Consumer states that while approaching a stop sign, a big cloud of smoke was coming from the rear of the vehicle, when lifting the cover to the engine compartment, consumer could see it burning with a bright white flame, consumer states the cause of the fire was due to a faulty fuel injection system which starts the fire and ignites the cooling fan housing which IS of magnesium alloy. *slc
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
When driving over a puddle of water, water gets trapped on top of fuel tank, causing tank to rust, resulting in a fuel leakage. please provide details. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Fuel leak, evaporative vnt
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 Vanagon model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.