Volkswagen Vanagon 1990

Model Vanagon made in 1990 by Volkswagen got 17 consumer complains, 2 investigations there are 2 recalls as well as 3 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system, engine and engine cooling and exterior lighting. Technical service bulletines regarding engine and engine cooling, seats and structure. The car had some investigations: structure, visibility. There were some recalls concerningequipment, fuel system, gasoline. The car has one 2.1l engine.

Model 1990

Engine [L]CylindersTransmissionDriveEstimate MPG (city/highway/combined)Unadjusted MPG (city/highway/combined)FuelFuel costClassRelease date
( 2.1L) 4Manual, 5 gears4WD16/16/1617/20/19Regular$ 98415890831
( 2.1L) 4Automatic, 3 gearsRWD17/18/1718/22/20Regular$ 92615890831
( 2.1L) 4Manual, 4 gearsRWD18/19/1920/25/22Regular$ 82815890831

Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER
93V175000VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCfrom 08/01/1985 to 06/01/1991V (Vehicle)2950003/04/1994ODIVOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC10/29/199311/01/1993
Defect SummaryThe plastic material of the center air flow duct, which is fastened by two mounting screws to the ceiling of the passenger compartment, can crack and eventually break.
Consequence SummaryIf the plastic breaks where it is held at the twomounting screws, the center air flow duct can separate from its supports andcause injury to the passengers sitting in the center seat of the vehicle.
Corrective SummaryDealers will install a reinforcement plate at the connections of both the center and rear air flow ducts.
NotesSystem: air conditioner hose; duct; air.vehicle description: vans equipped with factory air conditioning.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
92V058000VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCfrom 07/01/1985 to 06/01/1992V (Vehicle)35800005/22/1992MFRVOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC04/14/199204/24/1992
Defect SummaryThe 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.
Consequence SummaryFuel leakage in the engine compartment can cause an underhood fire if the fuel comes in contact with a source of ignition.
Corrective SummaryReplace the fuel hose attached to the fuel rail and install a new spring type self-tightening clamp.
NotesSystem: fuel lines.vehicle description:passenger cars.

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
201583108/28/200810026848Volkswagen: 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. *pe12/29/2008
SEATS
010106/12/2001621613Subject regarding latch system lower anchors and tethers for children, installing / retrofitting. *tt09/27/2001
STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS - UNDERBODY SHIELDS
201583108/28/200810026848Volkswagen: 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. *pe12/29/2008

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
STRUCTURE
EA91026VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC06/04/199101/27/1992SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE
 There is no summary currently available
VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM
PE93043VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC05/05/199310/29/1993OVERHEAD A/C SEPARATION93V175000
 There is no summary currently available

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
103/01/1990
 Engine miss due to design flaw, installation of electrical component with a plug on either end which fitted between the intake air sensor and the lead from the engine management computer solved missing problems.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
103/01/1990
 Ignition coil and wires, distributor car and rotor and oxygen sensor failed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
03/01/1990
 My 1990 vw vanagon had numerous occasions of intermittent power losses from the time of purchase in 1990 until december 1998 when vw part number 025906302a was installed. several of these power losses resulted in near accidents, once when passing a slow moving truck on a two lane interstate with another truck right behind me, suddenly the engine completely stopped for several seconds. only the alertness of the truck driver behind me in slowing quickly prevented an accident. the jackson wy dealer could find nothing wrong with the vehicle. on a recent trip to wyoming from california the intermittent power losses reoccurred. an independent (vw trained) mechanic in jackson informed me that a design defect which affected all vw vanagons from 1985 on required a new wiring harness to the engine air control system. the vw dealer in idaho falls confirmed that all such wiring harnesses should be replaced, but stated that i would have to pay for it as there was no recall by vw. the problem is explained in the vw technical bulletin 24 93-07 dated november 15, 1993. vw has refused to reimburse me for the part (approximately $140) on the grounds that the vehicle is out of warranty and that there was no government mandated recall. my concern is that there are many other vw's which according to the technical bulletin have this same defect. vw should inform all of those owners as they should have informed me and vw should replace the wiring harnesses at no cost to those owners. since this design defect is admitted by vw to cause intermittent power losses which obviously can lead to accidents in many situations, it would seem most appropriate for the dot to order this recall. if dot considers that this is just an economic problem affecting a class of consumers and not a safety problem necessitating a recall then please inform me of this decision. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
11/29/2002
 Consumer stated that while driving and without warning anti freeze will leak from the engine cause and distraction to the consumer. dealer notified. ts
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
05/26/1998
 Consumer is complaining of a plastic delivering pipe for cooling water from the engine to the radiator , the end pulled off which dumped all of the water out of vehicle. dealer notified and refused to repair unless cost is to the consumer.*ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
05/01/1996104/01/1990
 Design flaw, causing corrosion of engine parts/loss of coolant.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
103/01/1990
 Ignition coil and wires, distributor car and rotor and oxygen sensor failed.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
07/01/1990
 Headlights do not provide sufficient light while on low beam.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
11/05/1999108/01/1990
 When the weather turned cold the junction of a small, plastic fuel line with an overlapping rubber fuel line (held together with a large crimp connector) started to leak directly on the distributor cap. the rubber in the fuel line had degraded and cracked. this crimp connector could not be tightened or easily replaced to eliminate the leak. many eurovan owners on the internet have reported similar fuel leaks. i couldn't afford to take the vehicle in to the dealer for repair so i replaced the degraded rubber hose myself, using rubber hose from an auto parts store and screw-type stainless steel hose clamps. *ak
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
 When driving through high altitude areas the vehicle may start running like it is out of gas, but it really isn't. the fuel injection computer dosen't adjust to the situation. dealer has been contacted. *ak
 Mfg., recall #rv; air getting into fuel injection system causes vehicle to skip, in cold conditions. dealer replaced, jeep still skips when weather is cold. tt
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY
 When driving through high altitude areas the vehicle may start running like it is out of gas, but it really isn't. the fuel injection computer dosen't adjust to the situation. dealer has been contacted. *ak
06/15/1993208/01/1990
 Gas leaked from fuel tank twice. (qcaw)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY - MOUNTING
 Plastic crossover hose on top of fuel was cracked & leaked fluid. the fuel tank is located in front of engine. will be taking vehicle to dealer. *ak
SEAT BELTS - REAR
06/22/1995
 The first bench seatbelt broke in half. please describe. tt
TIRES
06/17/19951
 Michelin tires blew out and exploded. *ak