Volkswagen Cabriolet Recalls

The Volkswagen Cabriolet has 5 recalls covering 1985 and 1990 model years, with the most serious being a fuel tank crack on 1990 models where a seam weld near the rear of the tank can develop a fracture, allowing fuel to leak and potentially ignite.

The 1990 model year also has two additional concerns. A panel in the engine compartment between the engine and firewall can bend if someone leans on it during routine maintenance, and a bent panel can bind the accelerator linkage and cause unintended acceleration. The airbag wiring harness on 1990 models can be pinched and chafed where it passes through an opening in the dashboard crossmember, eventually damaging the wire enough that the airbag system stops functioning entirely.

On 1985 models, two separate fuel delivery issues can cause the engine to stall while driving. The fuel transfer pump can seize when bearing tolerances fail to handle heat expansion, and separately, the in-tank fuel pump can lock up during high ambient temperatures because an extremely fine mesh filter restricts fuel flow enough to cut off supply. Either condition leaves the engine without power and creates a hazard for surrounding traffic.