Model year record

1990 Volkswagen Vanagon recalls & problems

The 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon has 2 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (6 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints13filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

EquipmentOct 29, 1993

Appliance › Air conditioner

Recall 93V17500029,500 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THE PLASTIC BREAKS WHERE IT IS HELD AT THE TWOMOUNTING SCREWS, THE CENTER AIR FLOW DUCT CAN SEPARATE FROM ITS SUPPORTS ANDCAUSE INJURY TO THE PASSENGERS SITTING IN THE CENTER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT PLATE AT THE CONNECTIONS OF BOTH THE CENTER AND REAR AIR FLOW DUCTS.

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

Vanagon Syncro 4WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 15 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.1 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/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	Typical mileage*
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system; Storage › Tank assembly	6	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	4	—
Electrical systemIgnition; Wiring	3	—
Seat beltsRear/other	1	—
Tires	1	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights	1	—

*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
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING ANTI FREEZE WILL LEAK FROM THE ENGINE CAUSE AND DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Nov 29, 2002
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
WHEN THE WEATHER TURNED COLD THE JUNCTION OF A SMALL, PLASTIC FUEL LINE WITH AN OVERLAPPING RUBBER FUEL LINE (HELD TOGETHER WITH A LARGE CRIMP CONNECTOR) STARTED TO LEAK DIRECTLY ON THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP. THE RUBBER IN THE FUEL LINE HAD DEGRADED AND CRACKED. THIS CRIMP CONNECTOR COULD NOT BE TIGHTENED OR EASILY REPLACED TO ELIMINATE THE LEAK. MANY EUROVAN OWNERS ON THE INTERNET HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR FUEL LEAKS. I COULDN'T AFFORD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR SO I REPLACED THE DEGRADED RUBBER HOSE MYSELF, USING RUBBER HOSE FROM AN AUTO PARTS STORE AND SCREW-TYPE STAINLESS STEEL HOSE CLAMPS. *AK
Nov 5, 1999
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
PLASTIC CROSSOVER HOSE ON TOP OF FUEL WAS CRACKED & LEAKED FLUID. THE FUEL TANK IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF ENGINE. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK
Sep 14, 1999
Electrical system › Wiring
MY 1990 VW VANAGON HAD NUMEROUS OCCASIONS OF INTERMITTENT POWER LOSSES FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE IN 1990 UNTIL DECEMBER 1998 WHEN VW PART NUMBER 025906302A WAS INSTALLED. SEVERAL OF THESE POWER LOSSES RESULTED IN NEAR ACCIDENTS, ONCE WHEN PASSING A SLOW MOVING TRUCK ON A TWO LANE INTERSTATE WITH ANOTHER TRUCK RIGHT BEHIND ME, SUDDENLY THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. ONLY THE ALERTNESS OF THE TRUCK DRIVER BEHIND ME IN SLOWING QUICKLY PREVENTED AN ACCIDENT. THE JACKSON WY DEALER COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ON A RECENT TRIP TO WYOMING FROM CALIFORNIA THE INTERMITTENT POWER LOSSES REOCCURRED. AN INDEPENDENT (VW TRAINED) MECHANIC IN JACKSON INFORMED ME THAT A…
Apr 1, 1999
Electrical system › Ignition
IGNITION COIL AND WIRES, DISTRIBUTOR CAR AND ROTOR AND OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED.
Dec 9, 1998
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
WHEN DRIVING THROUGH HIGH ALTITUDE AREAS THE VEHICLE MAY START RUNNING LIKE IT IS OUT OF GAS, BUT IT REALLY ISN'T. THE FUEL INJECTION COMPUTER DOSEN'T ADJUST TO THE SITUATION. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Nov 23, 1998
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
CONSUMER IS COMPLAINING OF A PLASTIC DELIVERING PIPE FOR COOLING WATER FROM THE ENGINE TO THE RADIATOR , THE END PULLED OFF WHICH DUMPED ALL OF THE WATER OUT OF VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST IS TO THE CONSUMER.*AK
May 26, 1998
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
GAS LEAKED FROM FUEL TANK TWICE. (QCAW)
Jun 15, 1993

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

NHTSA defect investigations

OVERHEAD A/C SEPARATIONClosedLed to recall 93V175000
There is no summary currently available
PE93043 · opened May 5, 1993 · closed Oct 29, 1993
SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILUREClosed
There is no summary currently available
EA91026 · opened Jun 4, 1991 · closed Jan 27, 1992