At a glance

Title statusClean

Reported mileage177,313 mi

LocationCa, USA

ColorBlue

Last listed price$32,500

Open recalls7

Vehicle identity & specifications

Make

Volkswagen

Model

vanagon

Year

1987

Trim

Bus(Vanagon)

Body style

Van

Vehicle type

MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)

Engine

1.9L 4-cyl 90 hp

Cylinders

4

Fuel type

Gasoline

Assembly plant

HANNOVER, GERMANY

Manufacturer

VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

Full vehicle history report

$14.99 USD · one-time

What a full report checks for VIN WV2YB0253HH091608

⚠️ 7 open safety recalls — shown above, free 🔒 Title & brand records 🔒 Accident & damage history 🔒 Salvage, total-loss & theft 🔒 Odometer & owner count 🔒 Liens & market valuation

A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.

📜 Title status Clean, salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood or lemon

🏷️ Title brand history Every brand ever applied, by state

🧾 Number of owners How many registrations on record

🛞 Odometer readings Reported mileage over time

🔎 Rollback check Mileage inconsistency / tamper flags

💥 Accident & damage Reported collisions and damage events

🚧 Total-loss records Insurance total-loss declarations

♻️ Salvage & auction Salvage-yard and auction history

🚓 Theft records Reported / recovered theft events

🏦 Liens & impounds Outstanding liens or impound records

🏷️ Sale & listing history Past marketplace and dealer listings

💰 Market valuation Estimated value for this exact spec

Unlock full report — $14.99 → or get up to 20 reports a month for $19.99/mo → One-time purchase · permanent access · VIN WV2YB0253HH091608

Safety recalls 7

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

PIN IN SHIFT LOCKING PAWL MAY NOT BE PROPERLY WELDED TO THE PAWL.

Remedy: REPLACE SHIFT LOCKING PAWL.

NHTSA Campaign #87V085000 · 08/06/1987

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

SEAT BRACKETS WHICH ANCHOR REARWARD PASSENGER SEATS MAY NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY.

Remedy: ASSURE THAT SEAT BRACKETS ARE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

NHTSA Campaign #87V083000 · 08/06/1987

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT PLATE AT THE CONNECTIONS OF BOTH THE CENTER AND REAR AIR FLOW DUCTS.

NHTSA Campaign #93V175000 · 29/10/1993

TIRES

DUE TO IMPROPER MOUNTING PROCESS, SEMPERIT TIRES 20570R14 MOUNTED ON ALLOY WHEEL SIZE 6J X 14 COULD EXPERIENCE TINY CRACKS IN THE BEAD AREA.

Remedy: REPLACE TIRES AS NECESSARY.

NHTSA Campaign #88V076000 · 06/05/1988

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

IN LINE FUEL FILTER LOCATED BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP COULD SEEP FUEL AT THE SEAM OF THE PLASTIC CASING.

Remedy: THE IN LINE FUEL FILTER WILL BE REPLACED WITH A STRAIGHT FUEL HOSE.

NHTSA Campaign #88V038000 · 23/03/1988

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

USAGE OF FUEL WITH REID PRESSURE UP TO 14 PSI COULD, UNDER HIGH ENGINE LOAD AND HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, LEAD TO STALLING.

Remedy: INSTALL A NEW FUEL TANK, CONTAINING A REDESIGNED FUEL FILTER, AS WELL AS MODIFIED CONTROL UNITS.

NHTSA Campaign #87V052000 · 14/04/1987

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL THE ACCELERATOR CABLE TENSION MAY ALLOW THE CABLE TO SAG AND BECOME ENTANGLED WITH THE WATER PIPE BRACKET IMPEDING ITS RETURN TO IDLE POSITION.

Remedy: THE PRESENT ACCELERATOR CABLE BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED.

NHTSA Campaign #89V067000 · 01/05/1989

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Common problems & what to inspect

Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1987 Volkswagen vanagon, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.

🔥 2 involved a fire 🚑 1 reported injury

Fuel System 6 reports

🔍 Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

Gasoline 5 reports

🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Engine And Engine Cooling 2 reports

🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

Tires 1 report

🔍 Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.

Equipment 1 report

🔍 Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.

Seats 1 report

🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Pre-purchase checklist

Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.

Owner complaints 13

Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1987 Volkswagen vanagon.

TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 VOLKSWAGEN VANAGON, EQUIPPED WITH MASTER CRAFT GLACIER GRIP TIRES SIZE: 185/70/ R14. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEELS BEGAN SHAKING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE CHORDS WERE DETACHED FROM THE TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT C…

NHTSA ODI #10451794

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I BELIEVE AN AGENT OF VOLKSWAGEN FALSIFIED DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO THE RECALL CLOSING AND REPAIR OF MY FATHER'S VW VAN VIN [XXX] . RECALL CAMPAIGN NHTSA #88V-038 AND POSSIBLY 87V-052. THESE ARE PRESENTLY BEING FIXED BY SOUTHTOWNE VW IN SOUTH JORDAN UTAH TO THE TUNE OF ALMOST 3000.00 AT OUR EXPENSE. VOLKSWAGON NEVER SENT MY FATHER, THE ONLY OWNER OF THE VEHIC…

NHTSA ODI #10165800

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL TANK LEAKS OUT OF THE FILLER NECK. *AK WHEN THE ENGINE WAS UNDER HIGH LOAD AND HOT, IT STALLED. (FUEL STARVATION DUE TO RESTRICTION) THE FUEL KEPT DROPPING UNTIL THE 3/6 LEVEL RUBBER GROMMETS WERE CHANGED. THE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING UNDER A HEAVY LOAD AND CLIMBING ON A HOT DAY, IT STARVED FOR FUEL AND LOST POWER. *SCC THE CONSUMER STATED …

NHTSA ODI #10038083

EQUIPMENT

RECALL 93 V 175 000/AIR CONDITION:HOSE:DUCT:AIR: DEALER;EGC VOLKSWAGEN; NEW HYDE PARK,NY, PHONE# 516/488-2420REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #898395

SEATS

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WAS THROWN OUT OF DRIVER'S SEAT, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS THROWN BACKWARDS CAUSING MINOR INJURIES, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO HOLD ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND MANAGED TO GET VEHICLE BACK UNDER CONTROL, THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED WITH PASSENGER SEAT AS WELL. *JB

1 injured · NHTSA ODI #561195

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

PUMP CORROSION DUE TO STEEL/ALUMINUM INTERATION. STEEL BRACKET CLAMPING ALUMINUM FUEL PUMP CAUSED PUMP CORROSION TO THE EXTENT THAT FUEL LEAKED FROM PUMP CASE

NHTSA ODI #729670

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

Fire · NHTSA ODI #853968

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

OWNER STATES THAT THE THROTTLE STICKS,AND THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES. DRIVER MUST USE CLUTCH TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #812209

+ 5 more complaints on record.