Model year guide

1992 Volkswagen Corrado

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1992 Volkswagen Corrado is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.

1992 Volkswagen Corrado — representative photo
Representative photo

1992 Volkswagen Corrado at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints64
Combined20–21 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1992 Volkswagen Corrado recalls 3

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System NHTSA Campaign #98V295000 · 13/11/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH VR6 ENGINES. A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT SUCH AS THE THERMO SWITCH, RADIATOR FAN, OR WATER PUMP, CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND COOLANT SYSTEM PRESSURE TO INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY. OVER TIME, EXCESSIVE PRESSURE CAN CAUSE LEAKAGE OF COOLANT FROMTHE SYSTEM, INCLUDING LEAKAGE FROM THE HEAT EXCHANGER.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IN THE COOLANT INLET HOSE TO THE HEATER CORE, A PRESSURE REDUCER WITH A 5MM DIAMETER SECURED BY A SPRING TENSIONED HOSE CLAMP. ALSO A NEW RELAY THAT WILL CHANGE THE OPERATION OF THE SECONDARY ELECTRICAL COOLANT PUMP WILL BE INSTALLED. DEALERS WILL ALSO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHEC…

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood NHTSA Campaign #93V102000 · 14/06/1993

AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS MAY HAVE BEEN ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO A SHEET METAL EDGE. THE WIRING CAN BECOME DAMAGED DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION DUE TO CHAFING, RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Fix: REROUTE AND SECURE VARIOUS WIRING HARNESSES INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #92V058000 · 14/04/1992

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.

Fix: REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1992 Volkswagen Corrado common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 64 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

1992 Volkswagen Corrado MPG & running costs

Combined20–21 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,275
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume80 cu ft
Cargo volume18 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$4,375 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1992 Volkswagen Corrado costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,375
Fuel only$16,375
Per mile$0.22

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
159.4 in
Width
65.7 in
Height
52.0 in
Wheelbase
97.2 in
Curb weight
2,458 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1992 Volkswagen Corrado. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 2

HEATER CORE REPTURE Closed

HEATER CORE ALLEGEDLY RUPTURES AND RELEASES HOT COOLANT INTO THE VEHICLE INTERIOR, RESULTING IN IMPAIRED VISIBILITY AND POTENTIAL BURN INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS.

NHTSA #EA98012 · Visibility · opened May 1998 · closed Nov 1998

HEATER CORE RUPTURE Closed

HEATER CORE ALLEGEDLY RUPTURES AND RELEASES HOT COOLANT INTO THE VEHICLE INTERIOR, RESULTING IN IMPAIRED VISIBILITY AND POTENTIAL BURN INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS.

NHTSA #PE98006 · Visibility · opened Feb 1998 · closed May 1998

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 11

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 11.

The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.

Bulletin SM 33-2019 · Equipment · Mar 2019

This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.

Bulletin SM 44-2017 EN · Equipment · Jun 2017

VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide

Bulletin VHW-17-11 · Equipment · Jun 2017

This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests.

Bulletin 1-2017 Update · Equipment · Feb 2017

Update model year applicability to include 2017.

Bulletin V691601 2010479 · Equipment · Oct 2016

Airbag Issues.

Bulletin Airbag · Air Bags · Jan 2016

This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, technical bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, updates, and suggestions.

Bulletin Elsa 6-29-15 · Equipment · Jun 2015

This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, ElsaPro infomedia icons grayed out, workshop equipment tool storage application, technical bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, up…

Bulletin Elsa 6-22-15 · Equipment · Jun 2015

VOLKSWAGEN: EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD, REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES. HEAT SHIELDS ARE TO BE INSPECTED AFTER COMPLETION O ANY TYPE OF REPAIR TO THE UNDERBODY (EXHAUST SYSTEM TRANSMISSION, ETC.), AND IF DAMAGED, REPLACED. *PE

Bulletin 2015831 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Structure · Aug 2008

SUBJECT REGARDING LATCH SYSTEM LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN, INSTALLING / RETROFITTING. *TT

Bulletin 0101 · Seats · Jun 2001

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CORRADO. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 2

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1992 Volkswagen Corrado. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Heater And Defroster

On certain vehicles, excessive temperature and cooling system pressure could result in coolant leakage in the system including leakage from the heat exchanger. Leakage of coolant from the heat exchanger could cause injury to the feet of the driver, steam up the interior of the vehicle and temporarily impair the driver's vision. Correction: Dealer will conduct a functional check…

Transport Canada #1998231 · Nov 1998

Fuel System

THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL, LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY CLAMPED. THIS COULD LEAD TO FUEL SEEPAGE AT THE HOSE CONNECTION. ESCAPING FUEL COULD COME INTO CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL WILL BE REPLACED AND EXISTING HOSE CLAMPS WI…

Transport Canada #1993143 · Oct 1993

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Volkswagen Corrado

The Volkswagen Corrado is a sport compact car which was marketed by Volkswagen from 1988 until 1995. It was manufactured by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany. The Corrado is a three-door coupé with two side passenger doors and a rear liftback that seats four passengers in a 2+2 seating arrangement. It has a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout and was based on the Volkswagen Group A2 platform used in the Volkswagen Golf Mk2.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1992 Volkswagen Corrado vehicles on record

Other Volkswagen Corrado model years

1992 Volkswagen Corrado — frequently asked questions

Does the 1992 Volkswagen Corrado have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1992 Volkswagen Corrado. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1992 Volkswagen Corrado?

Across all 64 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are visibility, engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting.

What gas mileage does the 1992 Volkswagen Corrado get?

The 1992 Volkswagen Corrado has U.S. EPA estimates of 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.