Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1989 Volkswagen Fox. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
- Summary
- 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.
STEERING:WHEEL AND COLUMN
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (9)
9 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 55.6% |
| Visibility | 2 | 22.2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 11.1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 11.1% |
| Seat belts | 1 | 11.1% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 11.1% |
How 1989 compares with other Fox years
Best and worst Fox years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 10 | 3 |
| 1988 | 23 | 2 |
| 1989 | 9 | 2 |
| 1990 | 15 | 2 |
| 1991 | 1 | 3 |
| 1992 | 5 | 2 |
| 1993 | 18 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 24 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,800
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 370 g/mi
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 24 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 27 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 27 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 26 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1989 Fox for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1989 Volkswagen Fox FAQ
How many recalls does the 1989 Volkswagen Fox have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 95V105000 (engine), 88V187000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1989 Volkswagen Fox problems?
Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (5), Visibility (2), Electrical system (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1989 Volkswagen Fox get?
EPA rates the 1.8 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual version at 22 city, 27 highway and 24 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1989 Fox compare with other years?
Among the 1987–1993 Volkswagen Fox model years at least five years old, the 1991 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1988 the most (23). The 1989 drew 9. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.