1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet problems

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1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet

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Common 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet, several common problems have been reported:

  • Radio and Speaker Issues: Complaints include the radio burning up within 6 months, taking all the speakers with it. Electrical issues like this can be frustrating and may require professional repair to resolve.
  • Reliability and Repair Costs: Some owners have expressed concerns about the car's reliability and the potential for high repair costs. This indicates that the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet may have ongoing maintenance issues that could be costly to address.
  • Previous Owner Neglect: Problems such as gas tank issues, malfunctioning air conditioning, faulty cruise control, and various squeaks throughout the car have been attributed to poor repair and neglect by previous owners. This highlights the importance of thoroughly inspecting a used car before purchase to avoid inheriting existing problems.
  • Engine Issues: Complaints have been made about engine-related problems, including engine cuts off after a few minutes, trouble starting, engine stalling, oil pressure warning light blinking, and buzzing noise. Engine issues can significantly impact the performance and reliability of the vehicle.
  • Slow Performance: Some owners have mentioned that the car is slow and heavy, struggling to maintain speed on inclines. Slow performance can be a sign of engine or transmission issues that may need attention.
  • Oil Consumption: Reports of the car consuming oil at a rate of 1/2 a quart per month have been noted. Excessive oil consumption can indicate internal engine problems that require inspection and potential repairs.

These common problems reported by owners of the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet highlight various issues ranging from mechanical to electrical components, emphasizing the importance of thorough maintenance and inspection to ensure optimal performance and reliability of the vehicle.

1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet engine

What engine is in a 1989 VW Cabriolet?

1.8L

From 1984 to 1989, Cabriolets in North America received the same 1.8L, K-Jetronic fuel-injected engine as the Rabbit GTI.

When did they stop making VW Cabriolet?

2002

Cabriolet versions of the fourth-generation Golf and sixth-generation Golf were produced between 1998 and 2002 and 2011 and 2016, respectively. Overall, more than 770,000 Golf cabriolets were produced over a 37-year period – all at the Karmann plant in Osnabrück, which recently ceased production of the Porsche Boxster.

Is a VW Cabriolet a rabbit?

Rabbit Convertible is what the Golf Cabriolet was called in North America from 1980-1984. This model had two trim levels: Rabbit Convertible and Rabbit Convertible L. The L was supposed to receive upgraded options such as cloth sports seats and alloy wheels.

What is the top speed of the VW Cabriolet?

Performance

0 - 40 kph2.3 s
60 - 100 kph (5)10.6 s
80 - 120 kph (6)14.9 s
Est. 100 - 140 kph10.1 s
Top speed197 kph (122 mph)

What engine is in a 1989 VW Cabriolet?

1.8L

From 1984 to 1989, Cabriolets in North America received the same 1.8L, K-Jetronic fuel-injected engine as the Rabbit GTI.

Is Golf Cabriolet a good car?

For a start, this car offers affordable lower-powered engines at the foot of its range, so when it was new, lead-in prices looked more attractive. But it's more than that. This Golf is perkier than its Eos counterpart ever was, both to look at and to drive, comparing well on both counts to the best of its rivals.

When did VW stop making the cabriolet?

Volkswagen will cease production of the T-Roc cabriolet in 2025, ending a 75-year tradition of internal-combustion-engine-powered convertible models at the German automaker.

Is a VW Cabriolet a rabbit?

Rabbit Convertible is what the Golf Cabriolet was called in North America from 1980-1984. This model had two trim levels: Rabbit Convertible and Rabbit Convertible L. The L was supposed to receive upgraded options such as cloth sports seats and alloy wheels.

1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volkswagen Cabriolet problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Fuel system problems
  • Gasoline problems
  • Other problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet complaints

The NHTSA has received 9 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet.

2008-03-20

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2002-03-01
  • VIN: WVWCA0158KK
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIOLET. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A VOLKSWAGEN REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL FOR HER YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO HER VIN. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT HER VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE SHE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME DEFECT. THE TRANSMISSION TYPE, RECALL NUMBER, AND MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/11/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER REPAIR IS PERFORMED BY VW IS PLAINLY OBVIOUS THE RECALL IS ON THE SAME YEAR BUT DIFFERENT VIN NUMBER. UPDATED 04/11/08 *TR
2006-05-01

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2006-05-01
  • VIN: WVWCA0159KK
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: VOLKSWAGEN SAYS RECALL DOESN'T APPEAR IN THEIR SYSTEM, VIN [XXX] FALLS INTO THE CATEGORY AND NO LOCAL DEALERS HAVE DONE THIS RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE... GAS TANK IS LEAKING FROM SAID AREA PROFUSELY , WHICH RUNS THE RISK OF AN EXPLOSION. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2005-03-18

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2005-03-17
  • VIN: WVWCA0159KK
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
  • Summary: VEHICLE HAD A WET SUBSTANCE ON THE GROUND. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, AND THE LEAK WAS DETERMINED TO BE GAS. THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE GAS TANK. CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON A RECALL. MANUFACTURER TOLD CONSUMER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE IF REPAIRS WILL BE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK
2004-11-08

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-11-08
  • VIN: WVWCA0156KK
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
  • Summary: 1989 VW CABRIOLET FUEL TANK HAS DEFECTIVE SEAM WELD IN FUEL TANK AS DOCUMENTED IN CAMPAIGN # 94V065000. TANK HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED, YET VW SAYS THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE.*AK
2003-11-18

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: WVWCA0520KK
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER WILL FIX AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. *PH TWO RECALLS WERE ISSUED RELATED TO THIS FAILURE, 94V-065000 AND 91V-201000. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE ISSUED. *NLM
2000-02-09

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: WVWCA0156KK
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: RECALL # 94V065000 FUEL: FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY: TANK; AFTER RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED, FUEL TANK STARTING TO LEAK. DEALER STATED TO CONSUMER THAT IT COULD COST $700.00 TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP AND ACCUMULATOR. FUEL TANK WAS NOT LEAKING WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. *AK
2000-02-07

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: WVWCA0156KK
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: RECALL # 94V065000: FUEL TANK: AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED, THE GAS TANK STARTED TO LEAK. DEALER STATED TO CONSUMER THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $700.00 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AND ACCUMULATOR. CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH FUEL TANK BEFORE RECALL WORK WAS COMPLETED. *AK *ML
1999-11-03

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1990-01-01
  • VIN: WVWCA145XKK
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: THERE IS A GAS LEAK COMING FROM THE GAS TANK, AND CONSUMER CAN SMELL THE GAS WITHIN THE VEHICLE. PROBLEM HAS RETURNED, AND DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE.
1999-10-06

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: WVWCA0155KK
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE SEAMS. DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet.

1994-04-08
  • Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
  • Summary: A CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK ADJACENT TO A SEAM WELD IN THE REAR OF THE TANK.
  • Consequence: FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACKED FUEL TANK WHICH COULD CATCH FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE VEHICLE WITH A SPECIALLY DESIGNED TOOL FOR THE PRESENCE OF A TANK CRACK, AND REPLACE THE FUEL TANK IF THE DEFECT IS PRESENT.
1991-11-18
  • Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
  • Summary: A CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK ADJACENT TO A SEAM WELD IN THE REAR OF THE TANK.
  • Consequence: FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACKED FUEL TANK WHICH COULDCATCH FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
  • Remedy: CHECK VEHICLE WITH A SPECIALLY DESIGNED TOOL FOR THE PRESENCE OF A FUEL TANK CRACK, AND REPLACE FUEL TANK IF DEFECT IS FOUND.
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1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet photo