MYRModel Year Report

1987 Volkswagen Vanagon

○ Not enough data
1987 Volkswagen Vanagon
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:44:41.991Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Vanagon Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1987 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 2 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1982 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 1 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1986 1987: 13 complaints 1987 1988: 3 complaints 1988 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 13 complaints 1990 1991: 9 complaints 1991
1987: 13 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19812
19820
19830
19842
19851
19868
198713
19883
19890
199013
19919

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 of 13 total reports mentions: vehicle speed control.

TIRES

1 of 13 total reports mentions: tires.

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 VOLKSWAGEN VANAGON, EQUIPPED WITH MASTER CRAFT GLACIER GRIP TIRES SIZE: 185/70/ R14. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEELS BEGAN SHAKING ABNORMALLY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120315

SEATS

1 of 13 total reports mentions: seats.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WAS THROWN OUT OF DRIVER'S SEAT, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS THROWN BACKWARDS CAUSING MINOR INJURIES, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO HOLD ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND MANAGED TO GET VEHICLE BACK UNDER CONTROL, THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED WITH...

NHTSA ODI report, 20010530

POWER TRAIN

1 of 13 total reports mentions: power train.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

1 of 13 total reports mentions: fuel system, other.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

FIRE OCCURED AS A RESULT FROM A GASOLINE LEAK IN THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI report, 19981014

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19870529 — fuel system, gasoline

USAGE OF FUEL WITH REID PRESSURE UP TO 14 PSI COULD, UNDER HIGH ENGINE LOAD AND HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, LEAD TO STALLING.

Remedy: INSTALL A NEW FUEL TANK, CONTAINING A REDESIGNED FUEL FILTER, AS WELL AS MODIFIED CONTROL UNITS.

Campaign 87V052000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19870901 — power train

PIN IN SHIFT LOCKING PAWL MAY NOT BE PROPERLY WELDED TO THE PAWL.

Remedy: REPLACE SHIFT LOCKING PAWL.

Campaign 87V085000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19871009 — seats

SEAT BRACKETS WHICH ANCHOR REARWARD PASSENGER SEATS MAY NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY.

Remedy: ASSURE THAT SEAT BRACKETS ARE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Campaign 87V083000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19880701 — tires

DUE TO IMPROPER MOUNTING PROCESS, SEMPERIT TIRES 20570R14 MOUNTED ON ALLOY WHEEL SIZE 6J X 14 COULD EXPERIENCE TINY CRACKS IN THE BEAD AREA.

Remedy: REPLACE TIRES AS NECESSARY.

Campaign 88V076000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19890421 — fuel system, gasoline

IN LINE FUEL FILTER LOCATED BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP COULD SEEP FUEL AT THE SEAM OF THE PLASTIC CASING.

Remedy: THE IN LINE FUEL FILTER WILL BE REPLACED WITH A STRAIGHT FUEL HOSE.

Campaign 88V038000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19890608 — vehicle speed control

WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL THE ACCELERATOR CABLE TENSION MAY ALLOW THE CABLE TO SAG AND BECOME ENTANGLED WITH THE WATER PIPE BRACKET IMPEDING ITS RETURN TO IDLE POSITION.

Remedy: THE PRESENT ACCELERATOR CABLE BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED.

Campaign 89V067000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19910221 — PE (closed 19910604)

SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE

I 19910604 — EA (closed 19920127)

SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE

I 19930505 — PE (closed 19931029)

OVERHEAD A/C SEPARATION

R 19940304 — equipment

THE PLASTIC MATERIAL OF THE CENTER AIR FLOW DUCT, WHICH IS FASTENED BY TWO MOUNTING SCREWS TO THE CEILING OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, CAN CRACK AND EVENTUALLY BREAK.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT PLATE AT THE CONNECTIONS OF BOTH THE CENTER AND REAR AIR FLOW DUCTS.

Campaign 93V175000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1987 Volkswagen Vanagon — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seats issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 87V052000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V085000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V083000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 88V076000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 88V038000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 89V067000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 93V175000 (equipment) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon 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 Vanagon?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 8% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon have?

7 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.