Model year guide

1994 Volkswagen Corrado

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1994 Volkswagen Corrado is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1994 Volkswagen Corrado — representative photo
Representative photo

1994 Volkswagen Corrado at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints4
Combined19 mpg

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

1994 Volkswagen Corrado recalls 2

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.

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.

1994 Volkswagen Corrado common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 4 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.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1994 Volkswagen Corrado MPG & running costs

Combined19 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,550
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$5,750 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 1994 Volkswagen Corrado costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,750
Fuel only$17,750
Per mile$0.24

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
66.5 in
Height
51.6 in
Wheelbase
97.2 in
Curb weight
2,809 lb
Front track
56.7 in
Rear track
56.3 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1994 Volkswagen Corrado. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 8

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.

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

Bulletin SM 33-2019 · Equipment · Mar 2019

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

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

Canadian recalls 3

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1994 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. This is an expansion of recall 98-231. Correction:…

Transport Canada #2003194 · Aug 2003

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

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.

1994 Volkswagen Corrado vehicles on record

Other Volkswagen Corrado model years

1994 Volkswagen Corrado — frequently asked questions

Does the 1994 Volkswagen Corrado have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1994 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 1994 Volkswagen Corrado?

Across all 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are visibility, engine and engine cooling, service brakes.

What gas mileage does the 1994 Volkswagen Corrado get?

The 1994 Volkswagen Corrado has a U.S. EPA estimate of 19 mpg combined (16 city / 23 highway).

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