Model year record

1993 Volkswagen FOX recalls & problems

The 1993 Volkswagen FOX has 2 safety recalls and 18 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (9 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints18filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Engine and engine coolingMay 23, 1995

Cooling system

Recall 95V105000164,000 vehicles

Problem: IN THE EVENT OF A COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENT FAILURE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE COOLANT CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING THE COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TO RISE TO A LEVEL WHERE A LEAK IN THE HEAT EXCHANGER CAN OCCUR.
Risk: A LEAK OR FAILURE OF THE HEAT EXCHANGER LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD CAN ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE FEET OF A PASSENGER. HOT COOLANT CAN ALSO STEAM UP THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BYPASS VALVE KIT WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ROUTE EXCESSIVELY HOT COOLANT TO THE ENGINE WITHOUT FLOWING THROUGH THE HEAT EXCHANGER. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A PLASTIC COVER UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ENSURE THAT THE PASSENGER IS NOT EXPOSED TO HOT COOLANT IN THE EVENT OF A LEAK.

Fuel system, gasolineApr 14, 1992

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 92V058000358,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Fix: REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Fox

25mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingCooling system; Exhaust system	9	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Retractor	5	0	—
Power trainClutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle); Manual transmission › Lubricant	4	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core	4	0	—
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery; Alternator/generator/regulator	4	1	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system › Fuel rail; Delivery › Fuel pump	3	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine cooling
WHILE TRAVELING A LONG DISTANCE, THE VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS, THE AIRFLOW SENSOR, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER ASSEMBLY. *AK THE PREVIOUSLY LOST 2-3 QUARTS OF OIL FRONT OIL SEAL FAILED, FUSES KEPT FAILING AT THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC THE OIL SEALS AND WATER PUMP FAILED. *JB
Dec 1, 2002 · 90,000 miles
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT UPPER TORSO BUCKLE STICKS OUT, IT IS JUST A FEW INCHES FROM THE HEAD. *AK
Mar 17, 2003
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
CONSUMER HAD RECALL 95V105000 REPAIRS DONE IN 1995, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO HEAT EXCHANGER UNDERNEATH DASH. WOULD ALSO LEAK UNDERNEATH PASSENGER'S SEAT. STEAM FROM COOLANT COMES THROUGH VENTS. CAN'T SEE TO DRIVE. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
Apr 12, 2002
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
VEHICLE IS LEAKING COOLANT UNDERNEATH AND IN ENGINE AREA. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK RADIATOR AND HEATER CORE ARE DEFECTIVE CAUSING COOLANT TO SPLASH ALL OVER VEHICLE. *JG
Mar 26, 2002
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
WHILE DRIVING AND TRYING TO TURN ON HEATER. FLUID STARTED COMING OUT OF VENTS ONTO PASSENGERS OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
Jan 17, 2002
Power train › Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY FOUND OUT THAT CLUTCH WAS HARD TO PRESS. CLUTCH PLATE FELL OFF, CAUSING CLUTCH SYSTEM TO FAIL. *AK
May 10, 2000
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
Jun 5, 1999
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
WHILE DRIVING HEAT EXCHANGER FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 95V105000 DEALER AND MANUFAFCTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
Dec 6, 1999

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.