1990 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH WITH THE DEFROSTER ACTIVATED WHEN EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF STEAM BEGAN TO EMIT THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK COMING ...
Mileage: 136,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO. THE HEATER CORE FAILED WHILE DRIVING. HE NOTICED STEAM EMITTING FROM THE VENTS AS WELL AS COOLANT ON THE WINDSHIELD. HE REFERENCED RECALL 96V115000 AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FREE OF...
Mileage: 217,758
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEATER CORE LEAKS. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 96V115000, REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Mileage: 150,000
DRIVING ALONG AN INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE HEATER CORE IN MY 1990 VW CORRADO DEVELOPED A MAJOR LEAK ALL OF A SUDDEN, CAUSING VERY HOT COOLANT TO POUR ON MY RIGHT LEG AND FOOT, AND SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO STEAM UP INSTANTLY, CAUSING LOSS OF OUTWARD VISION AND LOSS OF CONT...
Mileage: 124,300
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED DASHBOARD COOLANT INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING ENGINE OVERHEATED. WINDOWS BECAME STEAMY, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. RECALL 96V115000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
CONSUMER STATES COOLIANT IS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. PROBLEM IS DUE TO A HEATER COIL FAILURE, DEALER AND THE MFR HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE VIN# WAS NOT COVER. TS
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT STOP WORKING, IT STUCK IN THE OUT POSITION, WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO POSITION. LEAVING PASSENGER UN PROTECTED IN AN ACCIDENT. NLM
VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO PAY FOR SEATBELT DUE TO "AGE AND MILES" AND "OUTSIDE INFLUENCES." THERE ARE SEVERAL CORRADO OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, THEREFORE SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE EXISTS THAT INDICATES A DEFECT. I AM REQUESTING BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELTS TO BE REPLACED BY THE...
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
HEATER CORE FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN STEAM INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD, BLOCKING VISIBILITY. CONTACTED LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. WAS QUOTED $680.00 TO REPAIR.*AK
HEATER CORE FAILURE CAUSED WINDSHIELD TO FOG UP WHILE DRIVING. EVEN WITH VENTS CLOSED IT STILL CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL DUE TO VIN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH, ALL OF SUDDEN THERE WAS SMOKE IN VEHICLE. VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE HEATER CORE WAS CHANGED. VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN 96V115000 VW/ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH, ALL OF SUDDEN THERE WAS SMOKE IN VEHICLE. VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE HEATER CORE WAS CHANGED. VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN 96V115000 VW/ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
I PURCHASED THIS CAR 3 YEARS AGO AT A MILEAGE OF 109,000. ALL IN ALL I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR FOR MORE THAN 2 AND A HALF WEEKS SINCE I'VE HAD IT AND I HAVE ALREADY SPENT OVER $4000 DOLLARS ON IT. IS THAT FAIR FOR A CAR WITH A PRICE TAG OF 6,000 DOLLARS USED. I'VE SPENT THE REST OF THE 3 YEARS RAISI...
I PURCHASED THIS CAR 3 YEARS AGO AT A MILEAGE OF 109,000. ALL IN ALL I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR FOR MORE THAN 2 AND A HALF WEEKS SINCE I'VE HAD IT AND I HAVE ALREADY SPENT OVER $4000 DOLLARS ON IT. IS THAT FAIR FOR A CAR WITH A PRICE TAG OF 6,000 DOLLARS USED. I'VE SPENT THE REST OF THE 3 YEARS RAISI...
HEATER CORE BLEW OUT, CAUSING ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK INTO PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE'S MAKE/MODEL; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
$10,000 FIRE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CORRADO WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. NO BRAKES, NO SEATBELT OR HARNESS RELEASE. MY SON AND GRANDSON WERE TRAPPED.THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS GONE.CHP CAME OUT AS WELL AS THREE ENGINE COMPANIES.MY CORRADO WAS GUTTED UNDER THE HOOD AND THE FIRE WENT OUT BETWEEN THE HEADLAM...
ON JAN. 13, 2000 I CALLED A 1-8OO# TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA TO ASK FOR AN INVESTIGATOR TO COME AND INVESTIGATE[AS A COURTSEY] WHY ON JAN. 6, 2000 MY 1990 CORRADO WITH 39006 MILES STARTED AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE RUNNING 60 MILES AN HOUR ON AN INTERSTATE. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN 11 MILES ON...
ON JAN. 13, 2000 I CALLED A 1-8OO# TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA TO ASK FOR AN INVESTIGATOR TO COME AND INVESTIGATE[AS A COURTSEY] WHY ON JAN. 6, 2000 MY 1990 CORRADO WITH 39006 MILES STARTED AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE RUNNING 60 MILES AN HOUR ON AN INTERSTATE. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN 11 MILES ON...
ON JAN. 13, 2000 I CALLED A 1-8OO# TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA TO ASK FOR AN INVESTIGATOR TO COME AND INVESTIGATE[AS A COURTSEY] WHY ON JAN. 6, 2000 MY 1990 CORRADO WITH 39006 MILES STARTED AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE RUNNING 60 MILES AN HOUR ON AN INTERSTATE. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN 11 MILES ON...
ON JAN. 13, 2000 I CALLED A 1-8OO# TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA TO ASK FOR AN INVESTIGATOR TO COME AND INVESTIGATE[AS A COURTSEY] WHY ON JAN. 6, 2000 MY 1990 CORRADO WITH 39006 MILES STARTED AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE RUNNING 60 MILES AN HOUR ON AN INTERSTATE. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN 11 MILES ON...
CAR HAS UNCONTROLLED IDLE SPEED. COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELLERATION. *AK
AFTER RECALL REPAIRS COMPLETED (96V-115 AND 92V-058001), SEVERAL FAILURES DUE TO REPAIR PROBLEMS (FUEL SYSTEM,WIRING, SPEAKERS DAMAGED). *MJS
AFTER RECALL REPAIRS COMPLETED (96V-115 AND 92V-058001), SEVERAL FAILURES DUE TO REPAIR PROBLEMS (FUEL SYSTEM,WIRING, SPEAKERS DAMAGED). *MJS
RECALL 96V- 115 000/ ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH HOT COOLANT LEAKING INTO VEHICLE, MAY CAUSE BURNS ONTO THE FOOT OR LEG. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL. *AK
THE DRIVER'S WIPER DOESN'T WIPE 2/3RDS OF WINDSHIELD . NOTICED MANY OTHER CORRADO'S HAVING SAME PROBLEM IN CLUBS ON INTERNET. I'VE TRIED NEW BLADES AND BENDING THE ARM(WHERE THE PROBLEM IS), DOESN'T HELP ANY. THE ONLY THING LEFT IS TO GRIND ON THE BASE OF THE ARM TO MAKE THE ARM GO LOW ENOUGH TO MA...
I HAVE BEEN TO THE HERITAGE VW/SUBARU DEALER IN OWINGS MILLS, MD TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM 3 TIMES AND HAD TO PAY FOR VARIOUS SERVICES.
PASSENGER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT DOESN'T WORK DUE A SHORTAGE IN MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT. *AK
POOR DESIGN OF REAR PANEL HOLDS LICENSE PLATE AS WELL,FALLS OFF WHILE DRIVING, LEAVING YOU WITHOUT A LICENSE PLATE IN THE REAR. I WORKED IN A VW DEALER AND THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON CORRADO'S AND GOLFS.THE CORRADO OWNERS CLUB OF N.A. ALSO HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON RECORD FOR THIS COMMON DEFECT...
POOR DESIGN OF REAR PANEL HOLDS LICENSE PLATE AS WELL,FALLS OFF WHILE DRIVING, LEAVING YOU WITHOUT A LICENSE PLATE IN THE REAR. I WORKED IN A VW DEALER AND THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON CORRADO'S AND GOLFS.THE CORRADO OWNERS CLUB OF N.A. ALSO HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON RECORD FOR THIS COMMON DEFECT...
G60 ALUMINUM HOUSING WHERE REAR BRAKE OUTLET LINE FROM ABS UNIT LEAKS HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE ABS UNIT
HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 96V115000. HAD NOTIFIED THE DEALER. WAS INFORMED NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE TO REPAIR COOLING SYSTEM. CALLED THE MANUFACTURER & INFORMED PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN SEPT. 98. SAID VEHICLE DRIVABLE.. IT HAD OVERHEATED IN TRAFFIC. DEALER STILL HAS NO PARTS. *AK
STARTER WOULD NOT ENGAGE RESULTING IN TRYING TO START CAR THREE TIME AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START, IGNITION SWITCH FAILED ALSO.
STARTER WOULD NOT ENGAGE RESULTING IN TRYING TO START CAR THREE TIME AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START, IGNITION SWITCH FAILED ALSO.
TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN GOING INTO SECOND GEAR.
HEATER CORE FAILED.
RADIATOR FAN MOTOR IS WORN AND HAS BECOME NOISY AND SEIZING.
FACTORY INSTALLED SUN ROOF WOULD NOT RETRACT. *AK
GEAR SYNCHRO FAILS CAUSING SECOND GEAR FAILURE.
LAP/SHOULDER BELT WILL NOT RETRACT ON PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SIDES, IN FOR REPAIR, REPLACEMENT OF SLIDE ASSEMBLY, WILL PROVIDE REPAIR RECEIPT. *AK
TAB ONTO WHICH THE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT SYSTEM IS LATCHED ON BROKE OFF THE MOTORIZED TRANSORT SYSTEM. *AK
HOLE IN EXHAUST TAIL PIPE IS CREATING VERY LOUD EXHAUST NOISE. *AK
THE MOTOR BELTS RETRACT WHEN ENGINE IS SWITCHED OFF, RATHER THAN RETRACTING WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH DUE TO THE CONTACT THAT CONTROLS THE MOTOR BELTS IS NOT SECURE WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR IF IGNITION SWITCH IS WIGGLED. *AK
LEFT REAR CALIPER LOCKE DUP WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A BURNING SMELL. *AK
WHEELS BENT DUE TO BEING TOO SOFT, CAUSING A LEAK. *AK
ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT, CAUSED A FIRE WITH THE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT. *AK
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT MOTOR WENT OUT AND THE SEATBELT NO LONGER WORKS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
DRIVER/PASSENGER'S SHOULDER BELT JAMMED DUE TO WEAR ON SHOULDER BELT TRACK AND ASSEMBLY, CAUSING BATTERY TO SHORT OUT/FAIL. *AK