1990 Volkswagen Golf problems
The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car/small family car (C-segment) produced by the German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen since 1974, marketed worldwide across eight generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates – including as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada (Mk1 and Mk5), and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico (Mk1).
The original Golf Mk1 was a front-engined, front-wheel drive replacement for the air-cooled, rear-engined, rear-wheel drive Volkswagen Beetle. Historically, the Golf is Volkswagen's best-selling model and is among the world's top three best-selling models, with more than 35 million units sold as of 2019.
Initially, most Golfs were 3-door hatchbacks. Other variants include a 5-door hatchback, estate (Variant, from 1993), convertible (Cabriolet and Cabrio, 1979–2002, Cabriolet, 2011–present), and a Golf-based saloon, called the Jetta, Vento (from 1992) or Bora (from 1999). The Golf covers economy to high-performance market segments.
The Golf has won awards, including the World Car of the Year in 2009, with the Mk6 and in 2013 with the Mk7. Along with the Renault Clio and the Vauxhall Astra, the Golf is one of only three cars to have won European Car of the Year twice, in 1992 and 2013. The Golf has made the annual Car and Driver 10Best list multiple times. The Mk7 won the Motor Trend Car of the Year award in 2015, and the Mk1 GTI also won the award in 1985. The Mk4 won for the best-selling car in Europe in 2001.
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Common 1990 Volkswagen Golf problems
The Volkswagen Golf, produced in 1990, is a popular car model that has been known for its durability and versatility. However, like any other vehicle, it is not immune to certain problems that can arise due to wear and tear or other factors. In this article, we will discuss the most common problems with the 1990 Volkswagen Golf, based on complaints from owners of this car.
High Mileage Automatic Transmissions May Have Shifting Problems
One of the most common problems with the 1990 Volkswagen Golf is related to the automatic transmission. This issue is particularly prevalent in cars with high mileage, where the transmission may have difficulty shifting smoothly or may even slip. This problem can be caused by a variety of factors, including worn-out gears, a faulty torque converter, or low transmission fluid levels. In some cases, the problem may be resolved by simply topping up the transmission fluid, while in other cases, more extensive repairs may be necessary.
CV Joints and Ground Connections on the Intake Manifold
Another common problem with the 1990 Volkswagen Golf is related to the CV joints and the ground connections on the intake manifold for the engine management system. These parts can wear out over time, leading to problems with the car's handling and performance. In particular, the CV joints can become worn or damaged, leading to a knocking or clunking noise when the car is turning. Similarly, the ground connections on the intake manifold can become corroded or damaged, leading to problems with the engine's management system and potentially causing the car to run poorly or stall.
Problems with Starting the Engine
Some owners of the 1990 Volkswagen Golf have reported problems with starting the engine, particularly after the car has been sitting for an extended period of time. This problem can be caused by a variety of factors, including a faulty starter motor, a weak battery, or a problem with the fuel system. In some cases, the problem may be resolved by simply replacing the battery or cleaning the fuel injectors, while in other cases, more extensive repairs may be necessary.
Reduction Clutch Valve and Hydraulics
Another common problem with the 1990 Volkswagen Golf is related to the reduction clutch valve and hydraulics. This issue can cause the car to have difficulty shifting gears or may even cause the engine to stall. The reduction clutch valve is responsible for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to the clutch, and if it becomes worn or damaged, it can cause problems with the clutch engagement. Similarly, if the hydraulic system that controls the clutch becomes contaminated or damaged, it can cause problems with the clutch engagement and lead to difficulty shifting gears.
Ignition Coil and Spark Plugs
Finally, some owners of the 1990 Volkswagen Golf have reported problems with the ignition coil and spark plugs. These parts are responsible for generating the spark that ignites the fuel in the engine, and if they become worn or damaged, they can cause the engine to run poorly or stall. In some cases, the problem may be resolved by simply replacing the spark plugs or the ignition coil, while in other cases, more extensive repairs may be necessary.
In conclusion, the 1990 Volkswagen Golf is a reliable and versatile car that has been popular with drivers for many years. However, like any other vehicle, it is not immune to certain problems that can arise due to wear and tear or other factors. By understanding the most common problems with this car, owners can take steps to maintain their vehicle and avoid costly repairs.
Are old Volkswagen Golf reliable?
Is a used Volkswagen Golf hatchback reliable? The Volkswagen Golf is generally a reliable car. In our 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey, petrol models came 18th out of 29 cars in the family car category, while diesel ones actually ranked higher – 14th.
What engine is in a VW Golf 1990?
Used 1990 Volkswagen Golf - Specs & Features
| Engine | |
|---|---|
| Base engine size | 1.8 L |
| Cylinders | Inline 4 |
| Base engine type | Gas |
| Horsepower | 100 hp @ 5,400 rpm |
What is the fuel consumption of a VW Golf 1990?
Volkswagen Golf 1990 Fuel consumption
The Volkswagen Golf currently offers fuel consumption from 7.3 to 7.3L/100km. The Volkswagen Golf is available with the following fuel type: ULP.
Is Volkswagen Golf high maintenance?
According to RepairPal, Volkswagen maintenance costs are only slightly more expensive than average. Volkswagen maintenance and repairs cost about $676 per year while the industry average is $652.
1990 Volkswagen Golf car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volkswagen Golf problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Seat belts problems
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1990 Volkswagen Golf vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1990 Volkswagen Golf complaints
The NHTSA has received 10 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1990 Volkswagen Golf.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-10-18
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 3VWFA11T2LM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING THE WIRING IN THE TRUNK CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THE CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS CONSUMER HAD TURNED ON THE REAR DEFROST FOR THE FIRST TIME. THERE WAS A CRACKING SOUND AND A STREAM OF SMOKE CAME UP FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR HATCH AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *JG *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-02-04
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 3VWFA21G5LM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING COULD SEE A LIGHT BURNING ON FLOOR OF VEHICLE . CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND SAW U A BLUE FLAME. VEHICLE STARTED FILLING UP WITH SMOKE. FIRE COULD NOT BE PUT OUT. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT FIRE STARTED FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO TRUNK. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-10-07
- VIN: 3VWFK21G3LM
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING AT 40 TO 45 MPH HEARD A SNAP AND THAT WAS ROTORS SNAPPING IN HALF, LOST ALL BRAKES AND STEERING. THERE WERE FIVE RECALLS ON VEHICLE THAT HAD NEVER BEEN DONE.*AK
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-11-02
- VIN: 3VWBA21G1LM
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF MY CAR SUDDENLY BEGIN TO FOG UP. I WAS COASTING TOWARD A STOP LIGHT AND AS SOON AS I STOPPED I NOTICED ANTIFREEZE POURING IN FROM AROUND THE FIREWALL AREA. I WAS ONLY A FEW BLOCKS FROM HOME SO I WATCHED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND PROCEEDED SLOWLY- SOMEHOW KEEPING MY FEET SUSPENDED OFF OF THE FLOOR TO AVOID THE HOT ANTIFREEZE. I SUSPECTED THE HEATER CORE BECAUSE I KNEW THAT IT WAS INTERNAL TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I REPLACED THIS MYSELF BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD CHARGE BETWEEN 600-800.00 FOR THIS REPAIR. THIS WAS THE BIGGEST PAIN THE NECK TO REPAIR BECAUSE I HAD TO REMOVE THE DASHBOARD TO ACCESS THE HEATER CORE. PLUS I HAD TO REPLACE THE CARPET BECAUSE IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET ANTIFREEZE OUT OF CARPET. NOW I KNOW WHY THE DEALER CHARGES SO MUCH! *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 3VWFA11G5LM
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT FRONT LAP BELTS, BUT DO HAVE SHOULDER BELTS. DEALER SAYS VEHICLE IS SAFE. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-11-06
- VIN: 3VWFA11G2LM
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE VEHICLE ISN'T SAFE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE LAP BELTS. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-10-15
- VIN: 3VWFB81H1RM
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED A RECALL LETER, AND HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 3VWBA11GXLM
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELT FAILURE.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-09-26
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 3VWFA21G3LM
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: CAR WAS PUT INTO DRIVE DIDN'T PRESS ON THE GAS CAR ACCELERATE AND HIT A PARK CAR NO INJURY . TT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-07
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. *AK
1990 Volkswagen Golf recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 5 recalls for different components of the 1990 Volkswagen Golf.
- Manufacturer: FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, P/N 171.611.107B, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1975-1985 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RABBIT; 1985-1992 VW GOLF; AND 1980-1992 VW JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD OCCUR WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
- Consequence: BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE BRAKE HOSES WITH COMPLIANT BRAKE HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS AT 305-885-8646 EXT. 11.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: AN ENGINE PREHEATING TUBE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SUPPORTED DUE TO A MISSING SUPPORT BRACKET, CAUSING THE PREHEATING TUBE TO CHAFE AGAINST THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE. THIS CAN DAMAGE THE HYDRAULIC LINE, CAUSING BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE AND DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT.
- Consequence: DIMINISHED BRAKING CAN RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PREHEATING TUBE SUPPORT BRACKET TO ENSURE PROPER POSITIONING RELATIVE TO THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL ON THE ENGINE MAY SHRINK BEYOND THE CLAMP FORCE OF THE FUEL HOSE CLAMPS, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.
- Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
- Remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Components: 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.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
- Summary: OMISSION OF AIR DUCTS INTENDED TO GUIDE FLOW OF COOLING AIR TO LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS COULD ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO EXCEED ALLOWABLE OPERATING TEMPERATURE UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.
- Consequence: IF BRAKE FLUID BOILS, THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCEDBRAKING PRESSURE WITH POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: INSTALL MISSING LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT AIR DUCTS.
Positive 1990 Volkswagen Golf car reviews
Other years of Volkswagen Golf
Are you having problems with your 1990 Volkswagen Golf?
Thurman Jacobs 2024-10-13
I've owned my Golf for 12 years now. It's been the most reliable and fuel-efficient vehicle I've owned to date. I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone looking to buy. It's a good second vehicle...heck...it's a good FIRST vehicle!
Eldred Boehm 2024-08-09
I've been driving this car for over a year now and it has exceeded my expectations by tenfold. It's also really easy to customize to your liking and the durability is superior to other newer cars on the market today.
Deshaun Zulauf 2024-07-14
This car has been really reliable, always fun to drive, with a solid build and great design. It's a fantastic vehicle for a student or someone commuting.
Ernie Fadel 2024-04-02
Your vehicle has been performing exceptionally well throughout its life. You will be pleased to know that there have been no issues with the engine or transmission. The body is in excellent condition, and new tires were fitted all around on 5/30/03. The transmission is a five-speed stick shift.