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#BS-1987-VOLCAB-21901987 Volkswagen Cabriolet
Based on reports from 12 owners and 3 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Proceed with Caution
Based on 12 complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 3 recalls. Complaint rate is 2.8x the class average.
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
8 owners reported fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly issues β failures commonly reported around 170K miles.
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly (8 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly Issues
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly complaints account for 67% of all reports filed for the 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet, with 8 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 170,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 170K-mile mark.
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:heater Core Issues
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:heater Core complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:heater core-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer Issues
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to visibility:windshield wiper/washer-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Structure:frame And Members Issues
Structure:frame And Members complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to structure:frame and members-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet. Recent trend: stable.



Don't negotiate blind β know what this car costs to own
Repair costs β’ Negotiation scripts β’ Mechanic checklist β’ Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (3 recalls)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE FUEL TANK, COULD SEIZE DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF AN EXTREME FINE MESH FUEL FILTER RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
A CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK ADJACENT TO A SEAM WELD IN THE REAR OF THE TANK.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
A CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK ADJACENT TO A SEAM WELD IN THE REAR OF THE TANK.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Volkswagen Cabriolet is the 1991 β worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet vs. Class Average (Minicompact Cars)
This vehicle
12
Class avg
4
2.8x the class average β significantly more complaints than typical minicompact cars vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume β popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 12 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 3 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Volkswagen Cabriolet Model Years
View all Volkswagen Cabriolet years β1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
Is the 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet problems?
Does the 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet have any recalls?
What mileage do Volkswagen Cabriolet problems start?
Whatβs in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
How is this different from Carfax?
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Get the Full 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 12 owner reports. Know before you buy.