Volkswagen EurovanModel year report

1997 Volkswagen Eurovan Problems

Complaints: 14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 53,250miles, 2 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: 14 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl FWD · 13 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (21% of the total), followed by fuel system (3) and brakes (2). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 53,250 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 33 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the tank assembly and 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.

Also reported: Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “My 1997 vw Eurovan camper caught fire on december 8, 2002 as it was being driven on interstate 10 near redlands, ca. It was totally lost. Apparently the fire started under the dash on the passenger side. Vw, after inspection, denies responsibility because an after market radio was installed. The firm which installed the radio has inspected the car and reports that the fire was on the passenger side. There is good evidence of much more heat on the right side. Wire insulation jackets are burned off there and not near the radio. …”

NHTSA complaint #10000297, filed 2002-12, 45,500 miles

Fuel system: “The contact owns a 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan. The contact stated that fuel was leaking from the connecting ends of the fuel line. The vehicle is currently in the repair shop. The VIN and purchase date were unknown. The current mileage is 62,000 and failure mileage was 61,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10194751, filed 2007-06, 61,000 miles

Brakes: “Strong fuel odor, fuel tank leaking, gas cap replaced 7/00, a slack tube test done 10/12/00, significant leak found, 10/23/00, leak found on the fuel filler neck valve assembly, fuel tank, charcoal canister and various connections related to fuel tank replaced. Cj”

NHTSA complaint #559523, filed 2001-02

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 45,500 and 61,000 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 53,250 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

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 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan 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
Eurovan Camper FWD	2.8L 6-cyl	4-speed automatic	13	17	14	$4,800

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

97V016001Feb 11, 1997
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Covers: Volkswagen Eurovan 1997
During the installation of the camper equipment, an improperly adjusted power tool drill bit punctured the fuel tank vapor container.

Recall details for the 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan → · 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. 33 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

10241177Aug 21, 2023Engine cooling. Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
10237427May 30, 2023Engine cooling. Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
10235138Apr 24, 2023Engine cooling. Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
10193577May 11, 2021Engine cooling. Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
10174476Apr 21, 2020Equipment. Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
10159010Mar 27, 2019Equipment. The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
10159014Mar 22, 2019Equipment, Electrical system. Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
10159016Mar 12, 2019Engine. Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standards
10158533Feb 18, 2019Exterior lighting. Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. TB updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
10125661Aug 18, 2017Equipment. Update to existing tip for fuel quality checking.

See all 33 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volkswagen Eurovan

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
2003	15	81,400	1	—	16	—	Falling
2002	35	69,000	0	—	16	Not compared (before 2008)	Falling
2001	21	36,273	1	—	16	—	Stable
2000	25	55,500	0	—	15	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1999	17	50,500	0	—	15	—	Falling
1997	14	53,250	1	—	14	—	Not enough data
1995	6	—	0	—	15	—	Not enough data
1993	82	131,000	3	—	16	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable

All Volkswagen Eurovan model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan have?

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (21% of the total), followed by fuel system with 3.

Has the 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan 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 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan (Eurovan Camper, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 13 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 53,250 miles and the middle half falls between 45,500 and 61,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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.