The 1987 Volkswagen Fox has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 268,138 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the visibility. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING95V1050001995-05-23164,000 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
STEERING88V1870001988-12-01104,000 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
WHEELS87V1620001987-10-20138 affected
Defect
UNDER HEAVY LOAD CONDITIONS, THE REAR TIRE SIDEWALLS MAY CHAFE AGAINST THE WHEEL HOUSING.
Consequence
PROLONGED CHAFING CAN CAUSE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR ANDCOULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR.
Remedy
INSTALL A DIFFERENT TYPE SPORT WHEELS OR INSTALL STANDARD WHEELS.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
1
STRUCTURE:BODY
1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
1
Total complaints15
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The consumers vehicle experienced the symptoms of recall #95-v-10-5000 but the vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. Recall description: 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…”
“I own an '87 volkswagen fox. I'm told by many people that there was a recall on the coolant bypass valve. I've taken the car to a couple vw dealerships and also called vwoa and they tell me my car was not affected by the recall. I've talked to several other vw fox owners and I'm told others have…”
“Recall # 95v105000, recall correction, caused an increase in pressure in the cooling system, causing radiator to burst. Dealer or manufacturer will not be responsible for repairs. *ak”
“Consumer states that after recall work was done other problems occurred with the vehicle. *ak”
“Demontrond automative 96v105/td. After recall work was performed vehicle overheated on two other occasions, 11-2-96 and 11-23-96. *ak”
“Split defogger hoses 2 inches long.”
“Interior compartment valve leaking.”
“Engine hoses too small for engine valves, causing hoses to split/bulge.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA91054 Opened 1991-12-09 · closed 1992-06-12
HEATER CORE FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE88102 Opened 1988-09-15 · closed 1989-01-05
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1987 Volkswagen Fox as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.