Consumer stated that while driving and without warning anti freeze will leak from the engine cause and distraction to the consumer. Dealer notified. Ts
The worst 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Fuel system5
- Engine4
- Electrical2
- Lights1
- Seat belts1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Fuel system5
- Engine4
- Electrical2
- Lights1
- Seat belts1
- Tires1
Recalls 2
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner
- What is wrong
- The plastic material of the center air flow duct, which is fastened by two mounting screws to the ceiling of the passenger compartment, can crack and eventually break.
- Risk
- If the plastic breaks where it is held at the twomounting screws, the center air flow duct can separate from its supports andcause injury to the passengers sitting in the center seat of the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a reinforcement plate at the connections of both the center and rear air flow ducts.
Recall number 93V175000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 92V058000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon
Defect investigations
Overhead A/C separation
There is no summary currently available
PE93043
Sliding door latch failure
There is no summary currently available
EA91026
Technical service bulletins for the 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon 2
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
When the weather turned cold the junction of a small, plastic fuel line with an overlapping rubber fuel line (held together with a large crimp connector) started to leak directly on the distributor cap. The rubber in the fuel line had degraded and cracked. This crimp connector could not be tightened or easily replaced to eliminate the leak. Many eurovan owners on the internet have reported similar fuel leaks. I couldn't afford to take the vehicle in to the dealer for repair so I replaced the degraded rubber hose myself, using rubber hose from an auto parts store and screw-type stainless steel hose clamps.
Plastic crossover hose on top of fuel was cracked & leaked fluid. The fuel tank is located in front of engine. Will be taking vehicle to dealer.
My 1990 vw vanagon had numerous occasions of intermittent power losses from the time of purchase in 1990 until december 1998 when vw part number 025906302a was installed. Several of these power losses resulted in near accidents, once when passing a slow moving truck on a two lane interstate with another truck right behind me, suddenly the engine completely stopped for several seconds. Only the alertness of the truck driver behind me in slowing quickly prevented an accident. The jackson wy dealer could find nothing wrong with the vehicle. On a recent trip to wyoming from california the intermittent power losses reoccurred. An independent (vw trained) mechanic in jackson informed me that a design defect which affected all vw vanagons from 1985 on required a new wiring harness to the engine air control system. The vw dealer in idaho falls confirmed that all such wiring harnesses should be replaced, but stated that I would have to pay for it as there was no recall by vw. The problem is explained in the vw technical bulletin 24 93-07 dated november 15, 1993. Vw has refused to reimburse me for the part (approximately $140) on the grounds that the vehicle is out of warranty and that there was no government mandated recall. My concern is that there are many other vw's which according to the technical bulletin have this same defect. Vw should inform all of those owners as they should have informed me and vw should replace the wiring harnesses at no cost to those owners. Since this design defect is admitted by vw to cause intermittent power losses which obviously can lead to accidents in many situations, it would seem most appropriate for the dot to order this recall. If dot considers that this is just an economic problem affecting a class of consumers and not a safety problem necessitating a recall then please inform me of this decision.
Ignition coil and wires, distributor car and rotor and oxygen sensor failed.
When driving through high altitude areas the vehicle may start running like it is out of gas, but it really isn't. The fuel injection computer dosen't adjust to the situation. Dealer has been contacted.
Consumer is complaining of a plastic delivering pipe for cooling water from the engine to the radiator , the end pulled off which dumped all of the water out of vehicle. Dealer notified and refused to repair unless cost is to the consumer.
Gas leaked from fuel tank twice. (qcaw)
Headlights do not provide sufficient light while on low beam.
Design flaw, causing corrosion of engine parts/loss of coolant.
Compare the 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon
Other model years
19901991
Questions about the 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon
Is the 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon reliable?
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon, close to a typical Vanagon model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 5 complaints. Next is engine (4).
How many recalls does the 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon have?
2 recalls, covering equipment and fuel system, gasoline.
Was there a recall on the 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon fuel system?
Yes, 1 recall: 92V058000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
VIN decoder
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