1987 Volkswagen Scirocco Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 144,023miles, 1 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 / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco. The part named most often is fuel system, with 6 complaints (67% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (5). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 144,023 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.
- Fuel system6 67%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “I own 2 1987 vw sciroccos, both have had sudden and catostrophic transmission failure which completly destroyed the transmissions, both locked up on the road and nearly caused horrific accidents. This problem exists in several models with this type of transmission and has been ignored by vw and vwoa. This car also has a leaking fuel tank which I have tried to have repaired but the dealers refuse to even confirm the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #734263, filed 2000-10Transmission and drivetrain: “All three of these transmission failures cost me a total of $2700 due to the fact that 2 clips were taken out of the design. These two clips would have cost the mfgr about $0.50 or so and cost me alot more than that”
NHTSA complaint #734375, filed 2000-10Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 144,023 and 144,023 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scirocco FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Scirocco FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Scirocco 16v FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 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
- 91V201000Nov 18, 1991Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Volkswagen Scirocco 1987–1988, Cabriolet 1987–1990
A crack can develop in the fuel tank adjacent to a seam weld in the rear of the tank.
- 87V053000Apr 14, 1987Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: Volkswagen Scirocco 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 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco.
Other model years of the Volkswagen Scirocco
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 9 | 144,023 | 2 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
All Volkswagen Scirocco model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 6 complaints (67% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 5.
Has the 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco 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 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco (Scirocco, 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.
At what mileage are problems with the 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 144,023 miles and the middle half falls between 144,023 and 144,023 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 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.