1987 Volkswagen Gti recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Wheels / tires
What's wrong, in plain English: A wheel or tire can fail while driving. THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL LUG NUTS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TORQUED.
What could happen: AN IMPROPERLY TORQUED WHEEL MAY LOOSEN OVER A PERIOD OFTIME AND COULD EVENTUALLY SEPARATE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: INSPECT AND RE-TORQUE LEFT FRONT WHEEL LUG NUTS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1987 GTI.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V063000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
Summary: THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL LUG NUTS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TORQUED.
Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY TORQUED WHEEL MAY LOOSEN OVER A PERIOD OFTIME AND COULD EVENTUALLY SEPARATE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSPECT AND RE-TORQUE LEFT FRONT WHEEL LUG NUTS.
Notes: SYSTEM: WHEELS/LUG NUTS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH ALLOY WHEELS.
2. Visibility (wipers / glass)
What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
What could happen: THE COOLANT ESCAPING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULDCONTACT THE DRIVER'S FEET AND INJURE THE DRIVER. ALSO, STEAM FROM THE HEATEDLIQUID WILL CLOUD ON THE WINDOW SURFACES AND IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S VISION ANDCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The fix: REPLACE THE HEATER CORE WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER CORE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1987 GTI.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 92V050000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
Summary: THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Consequence: THE COOLANT ESCAPING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULDCONTACT THE DRIVER'S FEET AND INJURE THE DRIVER. ALSO, STEAM FROM THE HEATEDLIQUID WILL CLOUD ON THE WINDOW SURFACES AND IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S VISION ANDCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE HEATER CORE WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER CORE.
Notes: SYSTEM: WATER HEATER; HEATER CORE.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AUTOMOBILES.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 1987 Volkswagen Gti owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (2)
03/06/2005 · Engine
A RECALL HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR MY SON'S AUTOMOBILE. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WHEN I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY IF THE DEFECT HAD BEEN ADDRESSED IN A PRIOR REPAIR FOR A PRIOR OWNER. THE RECALL NUMBER IS "92V050000" . NO INCIDENT HAS OCCURED YET. I AM TRYING TO ADDRESS THIS BEFORE IT BECOMES A PROBEM. THANK YOU. *AK
01/30/1995 · Engine
THE TIME BELT BROKE AND ENGINE STOP( 16 VALVE). TT