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Engine & cooling

Volkswagen Vanagon Engine problems by year

10 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Volkswagen Vanagon's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
19913000
19904000
19872000
19861000

Latest Vanagon engine complaints

1990 Volkswagen VanagonEngine & cooling

Consumer stated that while driving and without warning anti freeze will leak from the engine cause and distraction to the consumer. Dealer notified. Ts

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10001290
1987 Volkswagen VanagonEngine & coolingFire

For no apparent reason while driving, consumer noticed a change in the vehicle after pulling over on the shoulder. Vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment. Fire was put out by the fire department. Vehicle totalled. Please provide any further information. *Ak *yc

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 853968
1991 Volkswagen VanagonEngine & cooling

The car was leaking anti-freeze due to corroded engine. Engine head gasket has blown 2 times and is being replaced for the 3rd time.

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 834050
1990 Volkswagen VanagonEngine & cooling

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.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 826267
1986 Volkswagen VanagonEngine & coolingFire

While driving engine stopped on its own, tried to restart, smoke started coming from rear, momentarily flames were emerging from back of vehicle, vehicle literally exploded, fire dept responded, vehicle totaled, cause unkown, available for inspection. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 807697
1987 Volkswagen VanagonEngine & cooling

Due to the design of the head gasket , the gasket is leaking, causing the vehicle to overheat. The consumer also needs to replace the water pump, consumer continued to take the vehicle to dealer and problem still occurred. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 805589

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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