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1988 Volkswagen Fox problems

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The Volkswagen Fox is a subcompact car produced and designed by Volkswagen of Brazil and sold in Latin America from 2003 until 2021 and in Europe from 2005 until 2011, where it was sold as the city car offering. The Fox was produced as a 3-door and 5-door hatchback. There is also a mini SUV version called Fox Xtreme (previously CrossFox) and a mini MPV/station wagon model called Suran, SpaceFox, SportVan or Fox Plus depending on the market.

Earlier use of the nameplate

Volkswagen acquired the rights to the name in 1969, by purchasing NSU. The original NSU Fox was a motorbike first seen in 1949, and Volkswagen had subsequently used the "Fox" name in some markets for special edition Volkswagen Polos. The Audi 80 produced in the 1970s also used the name Fox on vehicles sold in Australia and the United States. The Australian version was assembled locally by Volkswagen Australasia Ltd.

North America (1987–1993)

The Fox was a variant of the Voyage manufactured by Volkswagen do Brasil and marketed by Volkswagen in North America as an entry level subcompact from 1987 until 1993. Initially offered as a 2-door and 4-door sedan as well as a 2-door wagon, the wagon was discontinued in 1991 along with the 2-door for the Canadian market, the same year the 4-door sedan (as well as the 2-door, in the United States) received a mild restyling.

The Fox featured a longitudinal mounted 1.8L, 81 PS (60 kW; 80 hp) 4-cylinder gasoline engine, sharing components with the Volkswagen Golf — along with a 4-speed manual transmission for the standard 2-door and 4-door sedan and a 5-speed manual transmission for the "GL" sport model — an automatic transmission was not offered. There was no power steering available. The Fox had power assisted disk brakes in the front and drums in the rear. The Fox did not have an anti-lock braking system.

According to the U.S. EPA, the 4-speed manual transmission averaged 24 mpg‑US (9.8 L/100 km; 29 mpg‑imp) on the new combined driving cycle with the 5-speed manual transmission able to produce 23 mpg‑US (10 L/100 km; 28 mpg‑imp) on the new driving cycle. Under the old test protocol, the Volkswagen Fox was able to produce 26 mpg‑US (9.0 L/100 km; 31 mpg‑imp) with the 5-speed transmission and 27 mpg‑US (8.7 L/100 km; 32 mpg‑imp) with the 4-speed transmission.

Early models (1987–1989) featured the Bosch CIS-E also known as KE-Jetronic electro mechanical fuel injection, using an oxygen sensor to assist in fuel management. Later models featured (1990 – 1993) Bosch Digifant electronic fuel injection. In Canada, the Fox from 1987 to 1989 was offered with the simpler Bosch CIS fuel injection (K-Jetronic) without an oxygen sensor for the engine fuel management system.

Due partly to booming sales of the Passat, Jetta, Golf and the price of the Fox compared to other manufacturers at the time, the Fox faded out fast, making it a rare car - particularly so the facelift (1990 – 1993) models. Fewer were being produced for North America due to the lack of demand. Volkswagen also priced the car very low, to compensate for the ever more expensive German-made cars, and Volkswagen of America lost money on every Fox sold in the early years.

Originally, the Fox's squared off front end featured sealed beam halogen headlamps; after 1991 models received revised sheet metal with flush glass headlamps (MK2).

1988 Volkswagen Fox

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Common 1988 Volkswagen Fox problems

Based on complaints from owners of the 1988 Volkswagen Fox, several common problems have been identified:

  • Engine Sputter:
      • Problem: Another common problem is engine sputtering.
      • Solution: Owners experiencing engine sputtering should consider checking the fuel system, including filters and injectors, for any issues. It's also recommended to inspect the ignition system, such as spark plugs and wires, to ensure proper functioning. Addressing these components can help resolve engine sputtering.
  • Random Power Loss:
      • Problem: Some owners have reported random power loss while driving.
      • Solution: To tackle this issue, owners should inspect the fuel pump, fuel lines, and fuel pressure regulator for any malfunctions. Additionally, checking the air intake system for clogs or leaks can help address power loss concerns. Regular maintenance of these components can prevent unexpected power loss.
  • Engine Misfiring:
      • Problem: Engine misfiring has been a complaint among Volkswagen Fox owners.
      • Solution: Owners experiencing engine misfiring should check the spark plugs, ignition coils, and the engine's timing. Ensuring these components are in good condition and properly aligned can help resolve misfiring issues and improve engine performance.
  • Idling/Running Problems:
      • Problem: Some owners have faced challenges with idling or running issues.
      • Solution: Addressing idling or running problems may involve checking the throttle body, idle air control valve, and vacuum lines for any blockages or malfunctions. Cleaning or replacing these components as needed can help improve idling and running performance of the vehicle.
  • Electric Window Problems:
      • Problem: Issues with electric windows have been reported by Volkswagen Fox owners.
      • Solution: Owners experiencing electric window problems should inspect the window regulators, switches, and wiring for any faults. Replacing damaged components or repairing faulty wiring can help restore proper functionality to the electric windows of the vehicle.

These common problems with the 1988 Volkswagen Fox highlight various issues that owners may encounter and provide insights into potential solutions to address these concerns effectively.

1988 Volkswagen Fox engine

Is A Volkswagen Fox A Good car?

The four-cylinder engine is relatively quiet, helping to make the Fox a good long-distance cruiser. Head down a more challenging road and the soggy handling won't inspire handling, but the steering is reasonably well weighted. Decent brakes and a slick gearbox make the VW easy to drive.

Why did VW stop making the Fox?

Due partly to booming sales of the Passat, Jetta, Golf and the price of the Fox compared to other manufacturers at the time, the Fox faded out fast, making it a rare car - particularly so the facelift (1990 – 1993) models. Fewer were being produced for North America due to the lack of demand.

How many miles will a VW Fox do?

Performance

Power54 bhp
Torque108 Nm, 80 ft-lb
CO2 Emissions139 g/km
Euro Emissions Standard4
Miles Per Tank517 miles

How much horsepower does a 1988 VW Fox have?

81-hp

The 1988 Fox was available as either a two-door coupe, four door GL and GL Sport sedan, or two-door wagon. All trims came with a 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder, 81-hp engine.

1988 Volkswagen Fox car problems categorized by type of issue

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

  • Visibility problems
  • Engine and engine cooling problems
  • Structure problems
  • Power train problems
  • Service brakes problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Volkswagen Fox vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints 1988 Volkswagen Fox

The NHTSA has received 26 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Volkswagen Fox. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1988 Volkswagen Fox vehicles.

2009-07-08

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2009-07-07
  • VIN: 9BWGA0304JP
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST ALL BRAKING FUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION FROM THE METAL BRAKE LINE TO THE REAR RIGHT SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 164,955 UPDATED 8/3/09 *CN UPDATED 08/05/09.*JB
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2004-02-13

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-02-13
  • VIN: 9BWGA0303JP
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH DASHBOARD ON DRIVER'S FEET. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEATER COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
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2002-09-09

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2002-07-17
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING THE HOOD UNEXPECTEDLY POPPED UP AND BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. *YH BOTH HINGES SECURING THE HOOD HAD BROKEN FROM STRESS. *SCC
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2001-08-29

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2001-06-29
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: CONSUMER STATES WINDSHILED WAS CRACKED, AS A RESULT OF GRAVEL BEING DUMPED ON THE HIGHWAY.*JB
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2000-02-02

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-01-20
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: PRESSURE FUEL HOSE WAS CRACKED AND SEEPING GASOLINE. IMMINENT LEAK/FIRE HAZARD. *AK
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1999-10-04

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-10-01
  • VIN: 9BWGA0302JP
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT HEATER CORE BLEW UP, CAUSING ANTI-FREEZE TO SPRAY ON THE CONSUMER AND FAMILY, AND SMOKE SPARKS WERE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK
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1999-09-24

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: THE VEHICLE GEARS WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE INSTEAD IT GOES INTO FIRST GEAR. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN. MJS
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1999-05-27

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: FRONT WINDSHIELD LEAKS CONTINUALLY CAUSING RUST DAMAGE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. MJS
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1999-01-21

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 9VWCA0304JP
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL RECALL 95V105000. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & HAD THE COOLING SYSTEM REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SOMETIMES LATER, SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM COOLING SYSTEM AREA. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THEN CONTACTED THE DEALER. VEHICLE WILL BE GOING ON JAN. 22, 1999. *AK
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1998-01-06

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-12-28
  • VIN: 25-3-1352 4
  • Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
  • Summary: HOOD LATCH FAILED CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP AND SMASH INTO WINDSHIELD.
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1997-11-04

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
  • Summary: FRONT HOOD LATCH FAILED AND THE HOOD SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. YH
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1997-09-22

EQUIPMENT PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 9BWGA0305JP
  • Components: EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: ODOR OF ANTI-FREEZE SOLUTION IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT,.
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1997-09-22

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-08-01
  • VIN: 9BWGA0305JP
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: ANTIFREEZE ODOR PRESENT IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, HOWEVER DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO INSTALL HEATER BYPASS VALVE UNDER RECALL DUE TO AN AFTER MARKET AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM BEING INSTALLED ON VEHICLE. CONSUMER INSISTS THE A/C SYSTEM WAS ON THE VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED. (95V-105)
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1996-11-25

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-10-22
  • Number Of Injuries: 1
  • VIN: 9BWGA0308JP
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR BY ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE, UPON IMPACT VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL/OVERTURNED, ROOF COLLAPSED ON THE DRIVER SIDE, CAUSING INJURY.
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1996-04-11

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-11-19
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: HEATER CORE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL.
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1996-01-14

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-01-10
  • VIN: 9BWGA030XJP
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: HEATER CORE REPLACED AFTER RECALL. *SD
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1995-11-17

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: THE HEATER CORE RUNS HOTTER THAN BEFORE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
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1995-11-17

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-11-17
  • VIN: 9BWGA0309JD
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: RADIATOR LEAK PRIOR TO RECALL. *SD
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1995-11-16

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-10-01
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: DEALER DO NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK, INSTALL HEATER BYPASS VALVE.
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1995-11-06

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 9BWGA0309JT
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: CONSUMER RECEIVE RECALL 95V105000 9/95 LETTER STATES PART WOULD BE IN BY AUG 31,1995 IS HAVING THAT PROBLEM PLUS OTHER PROBLEM WITH CAR . TT
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1995-10-12

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 29BWGA030JP
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: #95V105000 RECEIVE RECALL CALL DEALER TO MAKE APPT THERE ARE NO PARTS CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEM HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT . TT
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1995-09-11

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-05-01
  • Crash: 1
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: DRIVESHAFT DISCONNECTED FROM TRANSMISSION, RESULTING IN VEHICLE BEING REAR ENDED. *TW
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1995-08-13

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-08-13
  • VIN: 9BWBA030XJP
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE. *AK
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1995-05-02

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-04-29
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING, HOOD FLEW UP THEN BROKE OFF. TT
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1994-01-30

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-01-30
  • VIN: UNK
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: IT IS EASY TO SHIFT INTO WRONG GEAR WHEN 1ST GEAR/REVERSE ARE PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER. *AK
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1988 Volkswagen Fox recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1988 Volkswagen Fox.

1995-05-23
  • Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: A LEAK OR FAILURE OF THE HEAT EXCHANGER LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD CAN ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE FEET OF A PASSENGER. HOT COOLANT CAN ALSO STEAM UP THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BYPASS VALVE KIT WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ROUTE EXCESSIVELY HOT COOLANT TO THE ENGINE WITHOUT FLOWING THROUGH THE HEAT EXCHANGER. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A PLASTIC COVER UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ENSURE THAT THE PASSENGER IS NOT EXPOSED TO HOT COOLANT IN THE EVENT OF A LEAK.
1988-12-01
  • Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
  • Components: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
  • Summary: STEERING WHEEL/SHAFT DESIGNED TO USE SURFACE FRICTION MAY LOOSE THIS FRICTION IF GREASE OR OIL IS PRESENT ON THE CONESHAPED SURFACE OF THE STEERING SHAFT.
  • Consequence: IF THE ABOVE CONDITION IS PRESENT AND THE STEERING WHEELNUT IS TORQUED LOWER THAN SPECIFIED, BREAK OF THE FRICTION LOCK COULD RESULT INLOOSENING AND SEPARATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
  • Remedy: REMOVE THE STEERING WHEEL OF VEHICLES AND CLEAN FRICTION SURFACE AND INSTALL A SPRING RETAINER, REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL NUT WITH A SELF LOCKING NUT.
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1988 Volkswagen Fox photo