MYRModel Year Report

1986 Volkswagen Golf

○ Not enough data
1986 Volkswagen Golf
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:51:49.408Z

Only 13 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 13 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
13

Too few to rank

Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1986

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1985: 10 complaints 1986: 13 complaints 1986 13 1987: 4 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1990: 10 complaints 1991: 8 complaints 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 43 complaints 1995: 43 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 2000: 88 complaints 2000 2001: 116 complaints 2002: 74 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2010: 70 complaints 2010 2011: 110 complaints 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2020: 6 complaints 2020 2021: 7 complaints 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints
1985: 10 complaints 1986: 13 complaints 1986 13 1987: 4 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1990: 10 complaints 1991: 8 complaints 1991 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 43 complaints 1994 1995: 43 complaints 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1997 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 2000: 88 complaints 2000 2001: 116 complaints 2002: 74 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2006: 12 complaints 2006 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2009 2010: 70 complaints 2011: 110 complaints 2012: 48 complaints 2012 2013: 43 complaints 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2018: 29 complaints 2018 2019: 62 complaints 2020: 6 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints
1985: 10 complaints 1986: 13 complaints 1986 13 1987: 4 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1989 1990: 10 complaints 1991: 8 complaints 1991 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1993 1994: 43 complaints 1995: 43 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1997 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 1999 2000: 88 complaints 2001: 116 complaints 2001 2002: 74 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2007 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2009 2010: 70 complaints 2011: 110 complaints 2011 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2013 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2017 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2019 2020: 6 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints 2023

1986: 13 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198510
198613
19874
19889
198917
199010
19918
19926
19937
199443
199543
19963
19977
199818
199964
200088
2001116
200274
200326
200428
200519
200612
20072
20081
20093
201070
2011110
201248
201343
201412
2015131
201685
2017117
201829
201962
20206
20217
202281
202311

Known problem areas

Only 13 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Fuel system, gasoline

6 of 13 total reports mention: fuel system, gasoline, most commonly citing fuel pump and tank assembly.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Electronic fuel pump malfunctioned, resulting in vehicle fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-02-22

Visibility

3 of 13 total reports mention: visibility, most commonly citing heater core and defroster/defogger/hvac system.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Heater core broke, causing leakage onto consumer/injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-03-23

Structure

3 of 13 total reports mention: structure, most commonly citing door.

Power train

2 of 13 total reports mention: power train, most commonly citing clutch assembly.

Electrical system

2 of 13 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing ignition and alternator/generator/regulator.

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1986-05-19Fuel system, gasoline86V029000 More fuel than permitted by FMVSS 301 may escape from the fuel tank assembly under the test conditions described in the standard.

    Remedy: Replace the fuel tank assembly with a modified unit.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1986-11-07Fuel system, gasoline86V149000 More fuel than permitted by FMVSS 301 may escape from the fuel tank assembly.

    Remedy: Replace the fuel tank assembly with a modified unit.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1987-06-04Fuel system, gasoline87V053000 Fuel pump, located inside fuel tank, could seize during high ambient temperatures because of an extreme fine mesh fuel filter restricting the fuel flow.

    Remedy: Install a modified fuel pump and filter.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1988-04-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-11-29 Windshield wiper failure
  5. I
    1988-11-30Engineering analysisClosed 1989-10-31 Windshield wipers
  6. I
    1991-12-09Engineering analysisClosed 1992-06-12 Heater core failure
  7. R
    1992-05-29Visibility92V050000 The end cap connecting the heat exchanger's core to the engine cooling system could rupture and allow hot coolant to escape into the passenger compartment.

    Remedy: Replace the heater core with an improved heater core.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2006-03-30Service brakes, hydraulic06E018000 Certain hydraulic brake hoses, p/n 171.611.107B, sold as replacement equipment for 1975-1985 Volkswagen (Vw) rabbit; 1985-1992 vw Golf; and 1980-1992 vw jetta passenger vehicles. Possible brake…

    Remedy: Foreign parts distributors will notify owners and replace the brake hoses with compliant brake hoses. The recall began on March 30, 2006. Owners may contact foreign parts distributors at…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1986 Volkswagen Golf — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Fuel system, gasoline: 6 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 3 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 3 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 86V029000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 86V149000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 87V053000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 92V050000 · Visibility
  • Recall 06E018000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1986 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Volkswagen Golf?
The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 46% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1986 Volkswagen Golf have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.