1990 Volkswagen Fox Problems
- Complaints
- 15filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 22 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Volkswagen Fox (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 1990 Volkswagen Fox. The part named most often is fuel system, with 5 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and engine cooling (2). Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign 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.
- Fuel system5 33%
- Electrical system2 13%
- Engine cooling2 13%
- Other or unknown1 6.7%
- Seat belts1 6.7%
- Body and structure1 6.7%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “Owner states while in the gas station his vehicle caught fire, owner notes that fire started in the rear of the vehicle, he belives it may have been the fuel pump.”
NHTSA complaint #809611, filed 1997-03Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 Volkswagen Fox 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 22 | 27 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Fox FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Fox Wagon FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 22 | 27 | 24 | $2,800 |
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
- 95V105000May 23, 1995Engine and engine cooling › Cooling systemCovers: Volkswagen Fox 1987–1993
In the event of a cooling system component failure while the vehicle is driven, the coolant can overheat causing the cooling system pressure to rise to a level where a leak in the heat exchanger can occur.
- 92V058000Apr 14, 1992Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Volkswagen Fox 1990–1993, 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 1990 Volkswagen Fox → · 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. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10026848Aug 28, 2008Body and structure, Engine cooling. 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 Fox
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 18 | 90,000 | 2 | — | 25 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 5 | — | 2 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 15 | — | 2 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 9 | — | 2 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 23 | 164,955 | 2 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 10 | — | 3 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
All Volkswagen Fox model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Volkswagen Fox have?
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 1990 Volkswagen Fox as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Volkswagen Fox is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 5 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 1990 Volkswagen Fox 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 1990 Volkswagen Fox get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Volkswagen Fox (Fox, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 22 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 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 29, 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.