The 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 58,500 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. Last updated July 5, 2026.
A CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK ADJACENT TO A SEAM WELD IN THE REAR OF THE TANK.
FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACKED FUEL TANK WHICH COULD CATCH FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
DEALERS WILL CHECK THE VEHICLE WITH A SPECIALLY DESIGNED TOOL FOR THE PRESENCE OF A TANK CRACK, AND REPLACE THE FUEL TANK IF THE DEFECT IS PRESENT.
A CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK ADJACENT TO A SEAM WELD IN THE REAR OF THE TANK.
FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACKED FUEL TANK WHICH COULDCATCH FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
CHECK VEHICLE WITH A SPECIALLY DESIGNED TOOL FOR THE PRESENCE OF A FUEL TANK CRACK, AND REPLACE FUEL TANK IF DEFECT IS FOUND.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Volkswagen says recall doesn't appear in their system, vin [xxx] falls into the category and no local dealers have done this recall on this vehicle... Gas tank is leaking from said area profusely , which runs the risk of an explosion. *nm updated 07/16/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the…”
“Vehicle had a wet substance on the ground. Consumer took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, and the leak was determined to be gas. There was a crack in the gas tank. Contact was made with the manufacturer to determine if the vehicle was serviced on a recall. Manufacturer told consumer to take…”
“1989 vw cabriolet fuel tank has defective seam weld in fuel tank as documented in campaign # 94v065000. Tank has never been replaced, yet vw says there are no open recalls on this vehicle.*ak”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1989 volkswagen cabriolet. The contact smelled gasoline while sitting in the vehicle. She took the vehicle to a volkswagen repair shop. The contact found a recall for her year, make, and model vehicle, but was informed that the recall did not apply to her vin. The contact…”
“There is a gas leak coming from the gas tank, and consumer can smell the gas within the vehicle. Problem has returned, and dealer can't determine the cause.”
“Fuel tank was leaking fuel from the seams. Dealer has repaired the vehicle. Please provide further details. *ak”
“Recall # 94v065000: fuel tank: after the recall work was performed, the gas tank started to leak. Dealer stated to consumer that he would have to pay $700.00 dollars to replace the fuel pump and accumulator. Consumer did not have a problem with fuel tank before recall work was completed. *ak *ml”
“Recall # 94v065000 fuel: fuel tank assembly: tank; after recall work was performed, fuel tank starting to leak. Dealer stated to consumer that it could cost $700.00 to replace fuel pump and accumulator. Fuel tank was not leaking when vehicle was taken to dealer. *ak”
There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.