1992 Volkswagen Cabrio Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 125,750miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 25 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 22 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1992 Volkswagen Cabrio (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1992 Volkswagen Cabrio. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (22% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and fuel system (2). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 125,750 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 9 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system2 22%
- Engine cooling2 22%
- Fuel system2 22%
- Air bags1 11%
- Brakes1 11%
- Exterior lighting1 11%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Light switch started smoking and got very hot before I could turn off the car, about 5 seconds. Dealer replaced light switch and commented that this has happened to others as well. About 5 years latter this happened again. Dash light at switch has not worked since the 1st incident.”
NHTSA complaint #10086717, filed 2004-08, 129,500 milesEngine cooling: “Initial problem: starter seized up; would not start. Starter subsequently replaced; new starter would not engage properly (clashing w/flywheel), subsequent damage to flywheel; dealer replaced flywheel and install entirely new starter; problem persisted, would not engage properly. Dealer installs another entirely new starter, problem not solved, starter (3rd new one) still not engaging properly. Gave up on dealer. Am now talking around town with numerous mechanics; some say this, some say that. Don't know what to believe anymore. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070189, filed 2004-01, 65,000 milesFuel system: “Fuel line at fuel tank rusted through and leaking. Vw dealers will not work on the car stating it is older than 8 years. Vw cannot supply a replacement part to my mechanic. Given location, rubber cannot be used and bends are to tight.”
NHTSA complaint #10086715, filed 2004-08, 130,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 122,000 and 129,500 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1992 Volkswagen Cabrio version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabriolet FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Cabriolet FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 92V058000Apr 14, 1992Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Volkswagen Cabrio 1991–1992, Jetta 1988–1992, Golf 1988–1992 +5 more
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.
Recall details for the 1992 Volkswagen Cabrio → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 9 on record; the latest 9 are shown.
- 10159010Mar 27, 2019Equipment. The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10155644Jun 28, 2017Equipment. This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
- 10157383Jun 22, 2017Equipment. VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide
- 10128055Feb 1, 2017Equipment. This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests.
- 10126785Oct 31, 2016Equipment. Update model year applicability to include 2017.
- 10213836Jan 22, 2016Air bags. Airbag Issues.
- 10128105Jun 29, 2015Equipment. This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, technical bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, updates, and…
- 10128104Jun 22, 2015Equipment. This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, ElsaPro infomedia icons grayed out, workshop equipment tool storage application, technical…
- 10026848Aug 28, 2008Engine cooling, Body and structure. Volkswagen: exhaust heat shield, replacement guidelines. Heat shields are to be inspected after completion o any type of repair to the underbody (exhaust system transmission, etc.), and if damaged…
Other model years of the Volkswagen Cabrio
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 23 | 52,450 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 38 | 42,750 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 16 | 39,500 | 1 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 29 | 62,500 | 0 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 21 | 85,000 | 1 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 14 | 92,500 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 6 | 200,000 | 0 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 15 | 63,000 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 8 | 10,000 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 9 | 125,750 | 1 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 7 | 87,000 | 3 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
All Volkswagen Cabrio model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1992 Volkswagen Cabrio have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1992 Volkswagen Cabrio as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1992 Volkswagen Cabrio is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (22% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.
Has the 1992 Volkswagen Cabrio been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1992 Volkswagen Cabrio get?
The EPA rates the 1992 Volkswagen Cabrio (Cabriolet, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 22 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1992 Volkswagen Cabrio reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 125,750 miles and the middle half falls between 122,000 and 129,500 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.