Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Volkswagen Fox Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns across the Volkswagen Fox, 1987–1993. Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 7 model years with settled counts, the 1988 drew the most (23) and the 1991 the fewest (1).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Volkswagen Fox complaints by model year

81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

1987198819891990199119921993
ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 1991 · 1 complaints
  • 1992 · 5 complaints
  • 1989 · 9 complaints

Most complaints

  • 1988 · 23 complaints
  • 1993 · 18 complaints
  • 1990 · 15 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 1987–1993. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Volkswagen Fox owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component1987198819891990199119921993
Engine and engine cooling 6652018
Visibility 4722004
Fuel system 0105002
Power train 0202013
Electrical system 0012013
Structure 1301010
Seat belts 0011004
Latches/locks/linkages 0210100

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Volkswagen Fox recalls (5)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Fox model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Volkswagen Fox
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
95V105000May 23, 1995ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM1987–1993—
92V058000Apr 14, 1992FUEL:FUEL LINES FITTINGS:METALLIC1990–1993—
91V087000Jun 3, 1991FUEL:FUEL LINES:METALLIC1991—
88V187000Dec 1, 1988STEERING:WHEEL AND COLUMN1987, 1988, 1989—
87V162000Oct 20, 1987WHEELS1987—

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗

Fuel economy by model year

198725 mpg
198823–24 mpg
198923–24 mpg
199023–24 mpg
199125 mpg
199225 mpg
199325 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

Volkswagen Fox FAQ

How many recalls has the Volkswagen Fox had?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns that cover at least one Volkswagen Fox model year from 1987 to 1993. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Volkswagen Fox year has the most complaints?

Among the last 7 model years with settled counts, the 1988 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (23) and the 1991 the fewest (1). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Volkswagen Fox problems?

Across the 1987–1993 model years, owners most often name the engine and engine cooling, visibility, fuel system in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the Volkswagen Fox get?

EPA rates the 1993 Volkswagen Fox at 25 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Was this page useful?Report a data error