The 1992 Volkswagen Cabrio has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 358,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
THE 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.
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Fuel line at fuel tank rusted through and leaking. Vw dealers will not work on the car stating it is older than 8 years. Vw cannot supply a replacement part to my mechanic. Given location, rubber cannot be used and bends are to tight.”
“Light switch started smoking and got very hot before I could turn off the car, about 5 seconds. Dealer replaced light switch and commented that this has happened to others as well. About 5 years latter this happened again. Dash light at switch has not worked since the 1st incident.”
“Driver's side airbag deployed at sixty miles an hour on I-5 in seattle.*ak”
“Initial problem: starter seized up; would not start. Starter subsequently replaced; new starter would not engage properly (clashing w/flywheel), subsequent damage to flywheel; dealer replaced flywheel and install entirely new starter; problem persisted, would not engage properly. Dealer installs…”
“Vent hose connector is rusted and causes fuel leakages when fuel expands. Dealer notified, and informed that was not covered under a manufaxcturer's recall. *ak the consumer was asking the manufacturer to reimburse the cost of repair because the same problem was under nhtsa recall for other models…”
“Component 1: while driving at night, headlight switch shorted out. Caused excessive smoke, then fire broke out under the dash. I pulled vehicle to the side and called the fire dept. Amount of damage unknown as of yet. Component 2: engine started to rev and vehicle jerked while driving. Due to…”
“Component 1: while driving at night, headlight switch shorted out. Caused excessive smoke, then fire broke out under the dash. I pulled vehicle to the side and called the fire dept. Amount of damage unknown as of yet. Component 2: engine started to rev and vehicle jerked while driving. Due to…”
“Oil sending unit malfunctioned, also driver's side window sticks. *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1992 Volkswagen Cabrio as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.