Model year guide

1993 Volkswagen Corrado

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1993 Volkswagen Corrado is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1993 Volkswagen Corrado — representative photo
Representative photo

1993 Volkswagen Corrado at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints48
Combined17–19 mpg

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

1993 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…

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan NHTSA Campaign #95V178000 · 20/09/1995

IMPROPER MATERIAL WAS USED IN MANUFACTURING THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAUSING THE SHAFT TO WEAR AND BECOME NOISY.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COMPLETE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLE HAVING THE POTENTIAL SHAFT MATERIAL PROBLEM. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FAN BLADE INCLUDING A NEW LOCK NUT ON VEHICLE WITH LOOSE FAN BLADE LOCK NUTS.

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.

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.

1993 Volkswagen Corrado common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

1993 Volkswagen Corrado MPG & running costs

Combined17–19 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway22 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,683
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume80 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,417 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 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 1993 Volkswagen Corrado costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,415
Fuel only$18,415
Per mile$0.25

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 1993 Volkswagen Corrado. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

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 4

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1993 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

Engine

NOTE: INCLUDES PASSAT, GOLF AND JETTA TURBO DIESEL. ON 1993-94 MODELS, THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT COULD SEIZE AND RENDER THE FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE. 1994-95 MODELS COULD EXPERIENCE A CONDITION WHEREBY THE LOCK NUT SECURING THE RADIATOR FAN BLADE HUB TO THE MOTOR COULD LOSE ITS REQUIRED TORQUE. A LOOSE LOCK NUT COULD CAUSE THE FAN HUB TO LOOSEN FROM THE SHAFT AND CAUSE THE BELT…

Transport Canada #1995221 · Dec 1995

Electrical

AN ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD BECOME DAMAGED DUE TO CHAFING. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL OR THE RADIATOR FAN TO STOP OPERATING, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. EITHER CONDITION COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CORRECTION: WIRING HARNESS WILL BE RE-ROUTED AND SPECIAL SHIELDING WILL BE INSTALLED IN ALL AFFECTED VEHIC…

Transport Canada #1994025 · Feb 1994

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.

1993 Volkswagen Corrado vehicles on record

Other Volkswagen Corrado model years

1993 Volkswagen Corrado — frequently asked questions

Does the 1993 Volkswagen Corrado have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1993 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 1993 Volkswagen Corrado?

Across all 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, visibility, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 1993 Volkswagen Corrado get?

The 1993 Volkswagen Corrado has U.S. EPA estimates of 17–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

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