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Volkswagen VanagonModel year report

1987 Volkswagen Vanagon Problems

Complaints
13filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
68,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
7campaigns 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
15 mpgcombined, 2.1L 4-cyl RWD · 15 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon. The part named most often is fuel system, with 6 complaints (46% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and equipment (1). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 68,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the fuel pump 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: “Fuel tank leaks out of the filler neck. When the engine was under high load and hot, it stalled. (fuel starvation due to restriction) the fuel kept dropping until the 3/6 level rubber grommets were changed. The when the vehicle was running under a heavy load and climbing on a hot day, it starved for fuel and lost power. The consumer stated when the tank was filled, there was seepage from the filler pipe.”

NHTSA complaint #10038083, filed 2003-10, 96,000 miles

Engine cooling: “For no apparent reason while driving, consumer noticed a change in the vehicle after pulling over on the shoulder. Vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment. Fire was put out by the fire department. Vehicle totalled. Please provide any further information.”

NHTSA complaint #853968, filed 2000-01

Seats: “While driving consumer was thrown out of driver's seat, even though he was thrown backwards causing minor injuries, consumer was able to hold on to the steering wheel and managed to get vehicle back under control, this has also happened with passenger seat as well.”

NHTSA complaint #561195, filed 2001-05

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 40,000 and 96,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2550%25–500%50–7550%75–1000%100–1500%150+
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: 68,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

199519963199720002001200320062012
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 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon 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
Vanagon Syncro 4WD2.1L 4-cyl5-speed manual141414$4,800
Vanagon/Camper 2WD2.1L 4-cyl4-speed manual151715$4,450
Vanagon/Camper 2WD2.1L 4-cyl3-speed automatic131514$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

See all 7 recalls for the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon.

Other model years of the Volkswagen Vanagon

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
19919135,2802—17—Not enough data
199013—2—17—Not enough data
19871368,0007—15—Not enough data
19868175,0004—15—Not enough data

All Volkswagen Vanagon model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon have?

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 6 complaints (46% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.

Has the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon been recalled?

NHTSA lists 7 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 Vanagon get?

The EPA rates the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon (Vanagon/Camper 2WD, 2.1L 4-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 15 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 68,000 miles and the middle half falls between 40,000 and 96,000 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.