MYRModel Year Report

1987 Volkswagen Golf

○ Not enough data
1987 Volkswagen Golf
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:57:47.745Z

Only 4 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 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Golf Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1987 highlighted. 1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1987 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1990: 10 complaints 1990 1991: 8 complaints 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 41 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: 73 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 1 complaints 2009: 3 complaints 2010: 69 complaints 2010 2011: 110 complaints 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2014: 11 complaints 2015: 129 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 115 complaints 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2020: 6 complaints 2020 2021: 6 complaints 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints 2023
1987: 4 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198510
198613
19874
19889
198917
199010
19918
19926
19937
199441
199543
19963
19977
199818
199964
200088
2001116
200273
200326
200428
200519
200612
20072
20081
20093
201069
2011110
201248
201343
201411
2015129
201685
2017115
201829
201962
20206
20216
202281
202311

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 4 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 of 4 total reports mentions: service brakes, hydraulic.

Show complaint excerpts

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE MOUNTING BRACKET THAT ATTACHES TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CLUTCH PEDAL IS STARTING TO BREAK, CAUSING AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970812

SEAT BELTS

1 of 4 total reports mentions: seat belts.

Show complaint excerpts

AFTER RAIN, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BECOMES WET/MOULDY AND PRESENTS A FOUL ODOR. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19961003

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 of 4 total reports mentions: fuel system, gasoline.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 of 4 total reports mentions: engine and engine cooling.

Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED. NO PRIOR WARNING AS HAS HE WAS DRIVING. CONSUMER DRIFTED TO THE SHOULDER. HE TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND IT STARTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20000505

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19870604 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Campaign 87V053000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19870612 — wheels

THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL LUG NUTS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TORQUED.

Remedy: INSPECT AND RE-TORQUE LEFT FRONT WHEEL LUG NUTS.

Campaign 87V063000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19880809 — PE (closed 19881209)

HEATER CORE RUPTURE

I 19911209 — EA (closed 19920612)

HEATER CORE FAILURE

R 19920529 — visibility

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.

Campaign 92V050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060330 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 HOSE

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 305-885-864

Campaign 06E018000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1987 Volkswagen Golf — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 87V053000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V063000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 92V050000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E018000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1994 ▲ 2013 ▲ 1995

WORST YEARS

◆ 2015 ◆ 2001 ◆ 2017

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1987 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 1987 Volkswagen Golf?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1987 Volkswagen Golf have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.