Summary
The Lada Samara has 8 recalls spanning the 1987–1992 production run, with the most serious being a fuel system integrity issue on 1987 models where a mispositioned rollover valve can fail to contain fuel vapors after a rollover, and a cracked rubber hose connection at the filler neck can allow fuel to escape, raising the risk of fire.
On 1988 models, a clutch cable can detach from the actuating fork inside the bellhousing, leaving the clutch permanently engaged regardless of pedal input. When that happens, the vehicle can move unexpectedly when a gear is selected, with no way to disengage drive through the pedal. Also on 1988 vehicles, the handbrake requires more than 80 pounds of effort to apply, making it unlikely to hold the vehicle on a slope, and the glove box door can swing open in a collision and strike an occupant. The seatbelt warning system on 1988 models can fail to alert the driver when belts are unbuckled. Two bumper compliance issues affect 1988 production as well: the rear bumper does not adequately protect the taillights from breaking in a low-speed rear impact, and the headlight wiper mechanism can crack the headlight lenses during a frontal impact, reducing forward lighting. The 1989 model year has a throttle switch that was not correctly adjusted, causing it to fall outside emissions compliance. Going to the final production year, 1992 models may be missing a drilled mounting point for the child seat tether anchor, meaning a rear-facing or forward-facing child restraint cannot be properly secured to the seat.
