1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 4campaigns 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 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet. The part named most often is air bags, with 5 complaints (63% of the total), followed by fuel system (3) and engine cooling (1). NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the hoses, lines/piping, and fittings 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.
- Air bags5 63%
- Fuel system3 38%
- Engine cooling1 13%
- Equipment1 13%
Example complaints
Air bags: “Consumer never received a recall letter 91v215000 concerning the air bags. The manufacturer refused to send another letter to have the recall repairs performed. The air bag defect has occurred. The air bag light illuminated which meant the air bag may not deploy in case of a collision.”
NHTSA complaint #10032015, filed 2003-09Fuel system: “Consumer received recall 91v201000 for fuel tank assembly. The vehicle is leaking gasoline. Dealership inspected vehicle, and problem wasn't solved. Dealership is aware of problem.”
NHTSA complaint #8007193, filed 2002-04Engine cooling: “Vapors appear when consumer fills up vehicle. Also, consumer can only get a half tank of gas when filling up vehicle due to a shortage within the tank.”
NHTSA complaint #849555, filed 1999-09Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 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 | 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 Cabriolet 1990, 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.
- 91V215000Dec 13, 1991Air bagsCovers: Volkswagen Cabriolet 1990
The airbag harness wire may have been improperly routed through an opening in the dashboard crossmember and could be pinched and chafed between two panels eventually resulting in damage to the wire.
- 91V201000Nov 18, 1991Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Volkswagen Cabriolet 1987–1990, Scirocco 1987–1988
A crack can develop in the fuel tank adjacent to a seam weld in the rear of the tank.
- 91V162000Sep 11, 1991Vehicle speed controlCovers: Volkswagen Cabriolet 1990, Cabrio 1991
The center of the water separator panel located in the engine compartment between engine and firewall could bend in the event someone leans on it during engine maintenance, repairs or checking of fluid levels. A bent panel could interfere with the free…
Recall details for the 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA91054Heater core failureClosed · Dec 9, 1991
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. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 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 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 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 5 complaints (63% of the total), followed by fuel system with 3.
Has the 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet (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.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.