The 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 278,520 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE FUEL TANK, COULD SEIZE DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF AN EXTREME FINE MESH FUEL FILTER RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW.
FUEL SUPPLY TO ENGINE WOULD BE PARTIALLY INTERRUPTED,RESULTING IN STALLING.
INSTALL A MODIFIED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Fuel leaks from top of tank when tank is full or over 1/2 full... Previous recalls of this car and those similar list problems similar to what I'm experiencing. However, because of advanced age of vehicle, recalls are not being acknowledged by dealers or company. Auto is a 1986 volkswagen…”
“Additional problems with automobile: left indicator light not working, horn broken, back - up lights not working, clutch/transmission needs work (transmission overhaul), all locks broken...”
“Additional problems with automobile: left indicator light not working, horn broken, back - up lights not working, clutch/transmission needs work (transmission overhaul), all locks broken...”
“Additional problems with automobile: left indicator light not working, horn broken, back - up lights not working, clutch/transmission needs work (transmission overhaul), all locks broken...”
“Additional problems with automobile: left indicator light not working, horn broken, back - up lights not working, clutch/transmission needs work (transmission overhaul), all locks broken...”
“Additional problems with automobile: left indicator light not working, horn broken, back - up lights not working, clutch/transmission needs work (transmission overhaul), all locks broken...”
“Additional problems with automobile: left indicator light not working, horn broken, back - up lights not working, clutch/transmission needs work (transmission overhaul), all locks broken...”
“The heater core has failed and is leaking, and making the car harder to stop. *ak”
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 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.