1987 Volkswagen Scirocco problems
The Volkswagen Scirocco is a three-door, front-engine, front-wheel-drive, sport compact hatchback manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen in two generations from 1974 to 1992 and a third generation from 2008 until 2017. Production ended without a successor.
The Scirocco derives its name from the Mediterranean wind.
First generation (1974)
Volkswagen began work on the car during the early 1970s as the replacement for the aging Karmann Ghia coupe, and designated it the Typ 53 internally. Although the platform of the Golf was used to underpin the new Scirocco, almost every part of the car was re-engineered in favour of a new styling (penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro) which was sleeker and sportier than that of the Golf. The Scirocco debuted at the 1973 Geneva Motor Show.
Launched six months before the Golf, in order to resolve any teething troubles before production of the high volume hatchback started, the Scirocco went on sale in Europe in 1974 and in North America in 1975. Type 1 models featured a range of four-cylinder engines with displacements from 1.1 to 1.6 litres, with a 1.7 also offered in North America, all featuring a single-overhead camshaft and two valves per cylinder.
The design of the vehicle combined with the lack of D.O.T.-approved rectangular headlights, made it necessary to have four round headlights, two for low beam use and two for high beam use for all the cars imported to the US. Many European owners of Scirocco with smaller engines replaced the two rectangular headlights with four round headlights as to eliminate the differentiation between smaller and less powerful engines and larger and more powerful ones. However, the European "TS" version, for which maximum power was listed as 85 PS (84 hp; 63 kW), was easily distinguishable from the less powerful "L" and "S" (50 and 70 PS) versions which came with just two rectangular headlights. An automatic transmission option was added in January 1975. Automatic transmission-equipped Sciroccos were generally rare outside of North America.
The Scirocco GTi entered production in the summer of 1976, while the later cult Golf GTI wasn't unveiled until the autumn of the same year. Its high-revving, 81 kW / 110 horsepower 1.6-litre engine featured mechanical fuel injection, 175/70HR13 tires on 5.5Jx13 wheels, a larger duckbill style front spoiler, a red frame for the grille, and the standard car's solid front brake discs were replaced with 9.4 in (239 mm) ventilated discs. Anti-roll bars were also fitted front and rear.
During the production of the "Type 53", there were subtle changes to the body and trim. On cars produced after the summer break in August 1975 (for the 1976 model year), the conventional two wiper system changed to a single wiper which parks on the passenger side of the windscreen, while the driver also benefited from improved, lighter, steering linkage. However, air conditioning became available as an option on the domestic market in August 1975. The possibility to retrofit the installation, together with a larger battery, was offered to existing owners. In August 1977 (for model year 1978) the separate front side marker and turn signal, changed to a combination wrap-around orange lens. At the same time, behind the doors the B-pillar colour changed from body colour to black, which was thought to give the car a more pleasing profile. Other mid-life changes include the move from chrome bumpers with rubberised end caps to a plastic-coated one-piece wrap around bumper. In 1979, the one-piece "flag" style outside mirrors transitioned to a two-piece shrouded mirror. The car changed little before being replaced by the second generation in March 1981 (Europe).
There were also special variants throughout the Type 1 production. Most distinguishable by paint schemes and trim, there were special versions called "Sidewinder", "Sidewinder II", "Champagne Edition", "Champagne Edition II" and the "S". The Champagne Edition II only came in white with black accents and a Zender front spoiler. On the NA models the 1980 "S" versions came in only three colours, Alpine White, Black and Mars Red with unique colour accents. This "S" model differed from the base model by having blacked out chrome trim, day glow additions to the exterior trim, Recaro designed sports seats, white letter tires, sport strips and a standard five-speed transmission. This was followed by the 1981 "S" versions which only came in Cosmos Silver Metallic, Cirrus Gray Metallic and Mars Red without the colour accents. Steel sunroofs were an available option on both the "S" non-"S" vehicles. Unlike the sunroofs on the second-generation Sciroccos introduced in 1982, these earlier versions only tilted open. They did not slide back but could be removed and stored in a special fabric folder and placed in the trunk hatch. Not forgetting the addition of the "Storm" models, available in two colours with a run of 250 cars in each colour.
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Common 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco, several common problems have been identified:
- Front Tyre Wear: Particularly on the 2.0L diesel version, owners have experienced rapid wear on the front tyres, with an average lifespan of around 15-17,000 miles. To address this, it is recommended to monitor tyre tread depth and ensure it does not fall below the legal limit of 1.6mm.
- Steering Wheel Switches Problems: Some owners have encountered issues with the switches on the steering wheel not functioning correctly, often due to a fault with the airbag system. To resolve this, it is advised to have a specialist inspect and repair the airbag system.
- Glove Box Lid Failure: A common problem reported is the premature failure of the glove box lid, leading to issues with closure or rattling. The only solution to this problem is to replace the faulty glove box lid with a new one.
- DPF Warning Light: For diesel engines in the newer Volkswagen Scirocco models, owners have faced the DPF warning light coming on the dashboard due to incomplete burning of particles during city driving. The recommended solution is to take the car on open roads and drive at a consistent speed to burn off the particles and reset the warning light. If unsuccessful, replacing the DPF and changing the oil and oil filter may be necessary.
- ABS/ESC Failure: Some owners have experienced issues with the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) failing. Depending on the severity, a software upgrade at a VW dealer or replacement of the ABS/ESC control unit may be required to address the problem.
- Boot Mechanism Failure: Another common issue is the boot door not staying open due to a design flaw in the gas-filled support struts. If the car is under warranty, the struts can be replaced for free at a dealer, or owners can opt to replace them themselves by ordering replacement struts.
These problems highlight some of the key issues that owners of the 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco may encounter, emphasizing the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to any arising issues to ensure the vehicle's optimal performance and longevity.
Does VW Scirocco have problems?
Being based on Golf parts, the VW Scirocco has always had a decent reliability record. Most reports concern rattles and squeaks from the boot and windows - the latter are the hardest to fix. There has also been an issue with the boot mechanism on early cars, because the gas-filled support struts can fail.
Is a VW Scirocco a reliable car?
As with the Golf, the Scirocco has an excellent reputation for interior build quality that stands the test of time, and the engines are reliable. The DSG auto gearbox has an early version of dual-clutch technology though, and is expensive to fix if it goes wrong.
Are Sciroccos expensive to maintain?
Thanks to its primarily-Golf underpinnings, servicing and maintenance costs are low on a Scirocco - and they don't go wrong often. However, as with any established car model, it has a number of more commonly reported problems. We're listing them below so you know what to look out for.
Why did VW stop making Scirocco?
There were plans for a new Scirocco powered by combustion engines, but then Dieselgate happened and VW had to rethink its priorities. The coupe did not rank high on that list and as such it will take a while until a new one will be released – that is if there is actually going to be a direct replacement…
1987 Volkswagen Scirocco car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volkswagen Scirocco problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1987 Volkswagen Scirocco complaints
The NHTSA has received 12 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-10-26
- VIN: WVWCB0531HK
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: MY CAR BEGAN LEAKING GAS RECENTLY. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR I COULD SEE (AND I HAVE WITNESSES) THAT GAS IS RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE GAS TANK WHEN I FILL THE TANK UP. I FOUND OUT FROM SPEAKING TO SCIROCCO OWNERS ONLINE THAT MANY EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, AND SHOWED ME THE RECALL ON THE DEFECTIVE GAS TANK LISTED ON NHTSA.DOT.GOV. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO A VOLKSWAGEN (VW) DEALER TO INSPECT IT. RICH AT THE VW DEALER IN BURLINGTON, NJ LOOKED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR SAID "THE LEAK COULD BE FROM ANYWHERE SINCE I SEE RUST ON THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR, I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THE LEAK IS COMING FROM, BUT I REPLACE EVERYTHING UNDER THE CAR FOR $2100. I THEN NOTIFIED VW USA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND RECALL AND ASKED THEM TO REMOVE AND TEST THE GAS TANK FOR LEAKAGE. VW USA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A RECALL CAMPAIGN ON MY VEHICLE, AND THEY REFUSE TO REMOVE AND TEST THE GAS TANK FOR LEAKAGE, AND REPLACEMENT!! PLEASE NOTE: I HAVE THE MEMO THAT VA SENT TO DEALERSHIPS IN 1991, AND IT CLEARLY STATES WHAT MUST BE DONE TO TEST AND REPLACE THE GAS TANK. IT INCLUDES REMOVING THE TANK TO TEST IT AND ALL THE REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT MUST BE INSTALLED WITH THIS JOB. I WILL BE GLAD TO FAX IT TO YOU FOR YOUR RECORDS. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT VW USA DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY OR KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM/RECALL AND WILL NOT EVEN REMOVE, TEST AND REPLACE THE GAS TANK, AND I AM IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH GAS LEAKING. MY CAR CAN CATCH ON FIRE OR EXPLODE. I NEED HELP TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS THIS IS A SERIOUS DANGER TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. PLEASE HELP ! *LA
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-05-02
- VIN: WVWCB0539HK
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: THE VW TRANSMISSION, KNOWN AS THE 020, ON THE 16V MODELS ARE GARBAGE. RING GEAR RIVITS SHEAR AND ARE PUNCHED THROUGH THE HOUSING DESTROYING THE UNIT COMPLETELY. I HAVE GONE THROUGH FIVE AND HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS FALL VICTOM TO THIS POORLY MANUFACTURED PART. VW CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY AND OWNERS ARE LEFT TO FIX THEIR CARS OUT OF POCKET.*AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-10-08
- VIN: WVWCB0533HK
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: NO SUMMARY
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-09-30
- VIN: WVWCB0534HK
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: ALL THREE OF THESE TRANSMISSION FAILURES COST ME A TOTAL OF $2700 DUE TO THE FACT THAT 2 CLIPS WERE TAKEN OUT OF THE DESIGN. THESE TWO CLIPS WOULD HAVE COST THE MFGR ABOUT $0.50 OR SO AND COST ME ALOT MORE THAN THAT
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-10-08
- VIN: WVWCB0533HK
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: NO SUMMARY. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: CONTACTED VW DEALERSHIP AFTER BEING NOTIFIED REPEATEDLY BY VWOA TO GET THE TANK REPLACED AND THEY REFUSED TO CHANGE IT AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR A DAY AND PUTTING 30 MILES ON IT...AM I GOING TO BLOW UP NOW?> ALSO... CIRCLIPS IN TRANSMISSION CASING MAKE THE TRANSMISSION GRENADE AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: CONTACTED VW DEALERSHIP AFTER BEING NOTIFIED REPEATEDLY BY VWOA TO GET THE TANK REPLACED AND THEY REFUSED TO CHANGE IT AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR A DAY AND PUTTING 30 MILES ON IT...AM I GOING TO BLOW UP NOW?> ALSO... CIRCLIPS IN TRANSMISSION CASING MAKE THE TRANSMISSION GRENADE AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 9999
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: CONTACTED VW DEALERSHIP AFTER BEING NOTIFIED REPEATEDLY BY VWOA TO GET THE TANK REPLACED AND THEY REFUSED TO CHANGE IT AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR A DAY AND PUTTING 30 MILES ON IT...AM I GOING TO BLOW UP NOW? ALSO..CIRCLIPS IN TRANSMISSION CASING MADE THE TRANSMISSION GRENADE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NLM' **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*734286
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-10-10
- VIN: WVWCB0530HK
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I OWN 2 1987 VW SCIROCCOS, BOTH HAVE HAD SUDDEN AND CATOSTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHICH COMPLETLY DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSIONS, BOTH LOCKED UP ON THE ROAD AND NEARLY CAUSED HORRIFIC ACCIDENTS. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS IN SEVERAL MODELS WITH THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION AND HAS BEEN IGNORED BY VW AND VWOA. THIS CAR ALSO HAS A LEAKING FUEL TANK WHICH I HAVE TRIED TO HAVE REPAIRED BUT THE DEALERS REFUSE TO EVEN CONFIRM THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH LARGE GROUPS OF VW OWNERS WITH THESE PROBLEMS, AND THE RESULTS FROM DEALER INSPECTIONS OR JUST COMPLETE LACK OF THEM DUE TO THE DEALERS NOT WANTING TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. IT IS TIME TO GO AFTER THESE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME SWIFT ACTION THAT WAS TAKEN WITH FIRESTONE AND FORD BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. I AM GOING BACK TO THE VW OWNERS GROUP AND HAVE THEM SEND YOU INFORMATION AS WELL. IF THERE IS AN ADDRESS WHERE WE CAN COMPLAIN, PLEASE ADVISE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-10-10
- VIN: WVWCB0530HK
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I OWN 2 1987 VW SCIROCCOS, BOTH HAVE HAD SUDDEN AND CATOSTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHICH COMPLETLY DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSIONS, BOTH LOCKED UP ON THE ROAD AND NEARLY CAUSED HORRIFIC ACCIDENTS. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS IN SEVERAL MODELS WITH THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION AND HAS BEEN IGNORED BY VW AND VWOA. THIS CAR ALSO HAS A LEAKING FUEL TANK WHICH I HAVE TRIED TO HAVE REPAIRED BUT THE DEALERS REFUSE TO EVEN CONFIRM THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH LARGE GROUPS OF VW OWNERS WITH THESE PROBLEMS, AND THE RESULTS FROM DEALER INSPECTIONS OR JUST COMPLETE LACK OF THEM DUE TO THE DEALERS NOT WANTING TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. IT IS TIME TO GO AFTER THESE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME SWIFT ACTION THAT WAS TAKEN WITH FIRESTONE AND FORD BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. I AM GOING BACK TO THE VW OWNERS GROUP AND HAVE THEM SEND YOU INFORMATION AS WELL. IF THERE IS AN ADDRESS WHERE WE CAN COMPLAIN, PLEASE ADVISE.*AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: WVWCA0531HK
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: DEALER DENIED THAT THE GAS TANK WAS DEFECTIVE AND STATED THEY WERE TOO BUSY AND TO COME BACK IN A WEEK OR MORE. GAS TANK WAS INDEED LEAKING FUEL. NLM
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-12-21
- VIN: WVWCA0531HK
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT PRIOR TO NOTICE (91V-201), DEALER REFUSED REPAIR AND CONSUMER HAD TO GO TO OTHER REPAIR SHOP TO REMEDY LEAKAGE. *MJS
1987 Volkswagen Scirocco recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco.
- 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.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Summary: FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE FUEL TANK, COULD SEIZE DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF AN EXTREME FINE MESH FUEL FILTER RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW.
- Consequence: FUEL SUPPLY TO ENGINE WOULD BE PARTIALLY INTERRUPTED,RESULTING IN STALLING.
- Remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER.
Other years of Volkswagen Scirocco
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