VehicleVerdict

1987 Volkswagen Golf problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 4 complaints on file for the 1987 Volkswagen Golf — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

4

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1987 compare to other Golf years?

Golf NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted183 complaints1985: 15 complaints1986: 20 complaints1987: 4 complaints1988: 9 complaints1989: 41 complaints1990: 10 complaints1991: 11 complaints1992: 6 complaints1993: 11 complaints1994: 57 complaints1995: 84 complaints1996: 74 complaints1997: 25 complaints1998: 28 complaints1999: 76 complaints2000: 118 complaints2001: 152 complaints2002: 98 complaints2003: 33 complaints2004: 33 complaints2005: 27 complaints2006: 16 complaints2007: 2 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 5 complaints2010: 97 complaints2011: 151 complaints2012: 68 complaints2013: 67 complaints2014: 14 complaints2015: 183 complaints2016: 115 complaints2017: 145 complaints2018: 38 complaints2019: 88 complaints2020: 8 complaints2021: 11 complaints2022: 132 complaints2023: 22 complaints
Golf NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Golf years to avoid →

What are the most common 1987 Volkswagen Golf problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes125%
Engine125%
Fuel System125%
Seat Belts125%

Does the 1987 Volkswagen Golf have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E018000BrakesMarch 1, 2006 · 266 units

Defect

CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, P/N 171.611.107B, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1975-1985 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RABBIT; 1985-1992 VW GOLF; AND 1980-1992 VW JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD OCCUR WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES."

Consequence

BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE BRAKE HOSES WITH COMPLIANT BRAKE HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS AT 305-885-8646 EXT. 11.

92V050000Visibility & WipersApril 14, 1992 · 650,000 units

Defect

THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

Consequence

THE COOLANT ESCAPING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULDCONTACT THE DRIVER'S FEET AND INJURE THE DRIVER. ALSO, STEAM FROM THE HEATEDLIQUID WILL CLOUD ON THE WINDOW SURFACES AND IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S VISION ANDCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE THE HEATER CORE WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER CORE.

87V063000Tires & WheelsMay 8, 1987 · 10,000 units

Defect

THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL LUG NUTS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TORQUED.

Consequence

AN IMPROPERLY TORQUED WHEEL MAY LOOSEN OVER A PERIOD OFTIME AND COULD EVENTUALLY SEPARATE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

INSPECT AND RE-TORQUE LEFT FRONT WHEEL LUG NUTS.

87V053000Fuel SystemApril 14, 1987 · 278,520 units

Defect

FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE FUEL TANK, COULD SEIZE DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF AN EXTREME FINE MESH FUEL FILTER RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW.

Consequence

FUEL SUPPLY TO ENGINE WOULD BE PARTIALLY INTERRUPTED,RESULTING IN STALLING.

Remedy

INSTALL A MODIFIED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED. NO PRIOR WARNING AS HAS HE WAS DRIVING. CONSUMER DRIFTED TO THE SHOULDER. HE TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND IT STARTED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 2, 2000

“TRANSFER FUEL PUMP WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT WOULD FAIL TO SUPPLY FUEL TO THE PUMP. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL OUT. ITS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM OR VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A WHILE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 4, 2000

“WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE MOUNTING BRACKET THAT ATTACHES TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CLUTCH PEDAL IS STARTING TO BREAK, CAUSING AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

1987 Volkswagen Golf — common questions

Is the 1987 Volkswagen Golf reliable?

The record is thin — 4 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1987 Volkswagen Golf have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Volkswagen Golf. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1987 Volkswagen Golf under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen Golf years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Golf years to avoid are 2015, 2001, 2011, 2017, 2022, 2000, 2016, 2002, 2010, 2019, 1995, 1999, 1996, 2012, 2013, 1994, 2014. The cleanest record among Golf years belongs to 2008.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.