1987 Volkswagen vanagon
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1987 Volkswagen vanagon is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1987 Volkswagen vanagon at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1987 Volkswagen vanagon recalls 7
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT PLATE AT THE CONNECTIONS OF BOTH THE CENTER AND REAR AIR FLOW DUCTS.
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.
Fix: THE PRESENT ACCELERATOR CABLE BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED.
DUE TO IMPROPER MOUNTING PROCESS, SEMPERIT TIRES 20570R14 MOUNTED ON ALLOY WHEEL SIZE 6J X 14 COULD EXPERIENCE TINY CRACKS IN THE BEAD AREA.
Fix: REPLACE TIRES AS NECESSARY.
IN LINE FUEL FILTER LOCATED BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP COULD SEEP FUEL AT THE SEAM OF THE PLASTIC CASING.
Fix: THE IN LINE FUEL FILTER WILL BE REPLACED WITH A STRAIGHT FUEL HOSE.
SEAT BRACKETS WHICH ANCHOR REARWARD PASSENGER SEATS MAY NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY.
Fix: ASSURE THAT SEAT BRACKETS ARE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
PIN IN SHIFT LOCKING PAWL MAY NOT BE PROPERLY WELDED TO THE PAWL.
Fix: REPLACE SHIFT LOCKING PAWL.
USAGE OF FUEL WITH REID PRESSURE UP TO 14 PSI COULD, UNDER HIGH ENGINE LOAD AND HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, LEAD TO STALLING.
Fix: INSTALL A NEW FUEL TANK, CONTAINING A REDESIGNED FUEL FILTER, AS WELL AS MODIFIED CONTROL UNITS.
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.
1987 Volkswagen vanagon common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1987 Volkswagen vanagon MPG & running costs
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 1987 Volkswagen vanagon costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
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
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1987 Volkswagen vanagon — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 3
OVERHEAD A/C SEPARATION Closed
NHTSA #PE93043 · Visibility · opened May 1993 · closed Oct 1993SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA91026 · Structure · opened Jun 1991 · closed Jan 1992SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #PE91050 · Structure · opened Feb 1991 · closed Jun 1991An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
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 2001Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the VANAGON. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 4
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1987 Volkswagen vanagon. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Engine
IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVATED AND A PRESET SPEED IS RESUMED BY OPERATING THE "RESUME" SWITCH, THE TENSION ON THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WILL DECREASE ALLOWING THE CABLE TO SAG. AS A RESULT, THE CABLE COULD BECOME ENTANGLED WITH A WATER PIPE BRACKET AND NOT RETURN TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION. THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. CORRECTION: ACCELERATOR CABLE BRACKET WILL BE R…
Transport Canada #1989081 · Jun 1989Fuel System
THE ADDITIONAL IN-LINE FUEL FILTER BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL PUMP MAY EXPERIENCE FUEL SEEPAGE AT THE SEAM OF THE CASING. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, LEAKED FUEL COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE. CORRECTION: FILTER WILL BE REPLACED WITH A STRAIGHT FUEL HOSE. V.I.N. RANGE: ALSO, THE FUEL HOSE ON THE ENGINE'S RIGHT SIDE, COULD, UNDER CERTAIN CLIMATIC A…
Transport Canada #1988062 · Apr 1988Powertrain
ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE SHIFT LEVER LOCKING PIN MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY WELDED TO THE SHIFT LEVER PAWL. DURING FORCEFUL SHIFTING, THE PIN MAY BREAK LOOSE ALLOWING THE SHIFT LEVER TO BE INADVERTENTLY MOVED FROM "D" TO "R" WITHOUT PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND VEHIC…
Transport Canada #1987117 · Nov 1987Fuel System
On certain Vanagon and Vanagon Synchro, vapors could form in the fuel system during high ambient temperature and become trapped in a fuel filter which is permanently attached inside the fuel tank. If this happens, the fuel flow may become restricted and cause the engine to stall. Engine may also stall when fuel with a higher vapor pressure (up to 14 psi) is used since the main…
Transport Canada #1987043 · Apr 1987Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.