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Volkswagen CabrioletModel year report

1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet Problems

Complaints
9filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
125,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns 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 / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet. The part named most often is fuel system, with 9 complaints (100% of the total). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 125,000 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the tank assembly 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.

Example complaints

Fuel system: “Vehicle had a wet substance on the ground. Consumer took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, and the leak was determined to be gas. There was a crack in the gas tank. Contact was made with the manufacturer to determine if the vehicle was serviced on a recall. Manufacturer told consumer to take the vehicle to the dealer to determine if repairs will be at consumer's expense.”

NHTSA complaint #10115379, filed 2005-03, 125,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 75,839 and 130,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–7533%75–10067%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 125,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

199922000220032004200520062008
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1989 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Cabriolet FWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual212523$2,900
Cabriolet FWD1.8L 4-cyl3-speed automatic192220$3,350

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

Recall details for the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet.

Other model years of the Volkswagen Cabriolet

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
19908—4—25—Not enough data
19899125,0002—23—Not enough data
19886—2—23—Not enough data
198711170,0003—23—Not enough data
19856—1—23—Not enough data

All Volkswagen Cabriolet model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet have?

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 9 complaints (100% of the total).

Has the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet get?

The EPA rates the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet (Cabriolet, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 125,000 miles and the middle half falls between 75,839 and 130,000 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.