1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- 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
- 23 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by steering (1) and body and structure (1). NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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 system3 50%
- Steering1 17%
- Body and structure1 17%
- Suspension1 17%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Electric cables between alternator/battery were connected to hot water pipes going to water radiator. Due to extreme external summer temperature in southern switzerland, electric cable carbonize, causing vehicle to malfunction.”
NHTSA complaint #518375, filed 1997-08Steering: “Power steering belt located too close to wheels, allowing water to splash onto belt from wheels, causing belt to fail/steering to lock. The steering has locked several times when driving through water due to this problem, once resulting in an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #544880, filed 1999-04Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet 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 | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Cabriolet FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
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
- 87V053000Apr 14, 1987Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: Volkswagen Cabriolet 1985–1987, Jetta 1985–1987, Golf 1985–1987 +1 more
Fuel pump, located inside fuel tank, could seize during high ambient temperatures because of an extreme fine mesh fuel filter restricting the fuel flow.
Recall details for the 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA91054Heater core failureClosed · Dec 9, 1991
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet.
Other model years of the Volkswagen Cabriolet
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 8 | — | 4 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 9 | 125,000 | 2 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 6 | — | 2 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 11 | 170,000 | 3 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
All Volkswagen Cabriolet model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by steering with 1.
Has the 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet 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 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet get?
The EPA rates the 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet (Cabriolet, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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.