Model year guide

1986 Volkswagen Scirocco

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 8 on record.

1986 Volkswagen Scirocco — representative photo
Representative photo

1986 Volkswagen Scirocco at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints2
Combined21–23 mpg

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

1986 Volkswagen Scirocco recalls 1

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #87V053000 · 14/04/1987

FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE FUEL TANK, COULD SEIZE DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF AN EXTREME FINE MESH FUEL FILTER RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW.

Fix: INSTALL A MODIFIED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER.

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.

1986 Volkswagen Scirocco common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

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.

1986 Volkswagen Scirocco MPG & running costs

Combined21–23 mpg
City21 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,050
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume73 cu ft
Cargo volume19 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$3,250 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 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,250
Fuel only$15,250
Per mile$0.20

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
165.7 in
Width
64.2 in
Height
51.6 in
Wheelbase
94.5 in
Curb weight
2,180 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 1

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.

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 SCIROCCO. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 2

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Structure

CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT MAY PREVENT THE HOOD LATCH AND THE SAFETY CATCH FROM WORKING PROPERLY. THIS COULD RESULT IN HOOD FLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION RESULTING IN OBSCURED DRIVER VISION AND A POSSIBLE CRASH. CORRECTION: OWNERS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE ADVISED BY MAIL REGARDING THE NECESSITY FOR PERIODIC LUBRICATION OF THE ENGINE HOOD LATCH MECHANISM. DEALERS WIL…

Transport Canada #1992149 · Nov 1992

Fuel System

The fuel pump located inside the fuel tank could seize during high ambient temperatures because of an extreme fine mesh fuel filter restricting the fuel flow. This could cause the vehicle to stall posing a threat to traffic safety. Correction: A modified fuel pump and filter will be installed.

Transport Canada #1987044 · Apr 1987

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Volkswagen Scirocco

The Volkswagen Scirocco is a sport compact car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen in two generations from 1974 to 1992 and a third generation from 2008 until 2018. Production of the third generation ended without a successor. It is a three-door hatchback with a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. The Scirocco derives its name from the Mediterranean wind.

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

1986 Volkswagen Scirocco vehicles on record

1986 Volkswagen Scirocco 1986 Volkswagen SciroccoWVWZZZ53ZGK030221 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco 1986 Volkswagen SciroccoWVWZZZ53ZCK004189 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco 1986 Volkswagen SciroccoWVWZZZ53ZGK020946 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco 1986 Volkswagen SciroccoWVWZZZ53ZGK005143 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco 1986 Volkswagen SciroccoWVWZZZ53ZGK010729 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco 1986 Volkswagen SciroccoWVWZZZ53ZGK016901 1986 Volkswagen SciroccoWVWZZZ53ZHK006331 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco 1986 Volkswagen SciroccoWVWZZZ53ZHK000877

Other Volkswagen Scirocco model years

2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 1992 1990 1988 1987 1985 1984 1983 1982

1986 Volkswagen Scirocco — frequently asked questions

Does the 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco. 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 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco?

Across all 2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel system, gasoline.

What gas mileage does the 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco get?

The 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco has U.S. EPA estimates of 21–23 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.