1992 Volkswagen Corrado: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 50 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (62% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Dt: consumer was driving and a cloud of smoke came from behind steering wheel. Prior to this vehilce had been running hot. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for a coolant flush, and had the belt replaced around the fan. Also, had a new radiator installed. Consumer was in the car 5-10 minutes and the vehicle overheated. The fire department came out when the steering wheel smoked. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2005
“Consumer had the same problem as mentioned in NHTSA recall 98v295000. 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 from the system, including leakage from the heat exchanger. Dealer indicated this vehicle was not include in the recall due to the VIN. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2004
“The temperature gauge flashed. The consumer heard a noise, and at that point the vehicle's cabin became filled with steam and hot radiator fluid was on the floor board. It was determined the heater core failed. *nlm”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
“The vehicle experienced the same defect with the engine cooling system as stated in recall 98 v 295 000, but the VIN number was not included. *nlm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2003
“Heater core recall repairs done. 1 year later it broke, causing radiator fluid to leak and front windshield to steam up.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2002
“My heater core failed spilling radiator fluid into the passenger compartment and vapor through the hvac system.. I have been told this is a part that consistantly failed in my type of vehicle and am hoping that the manufacturer of the vehicle will be responsable and replace the part as a recall issue.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2002
“Heater core located behind ventilation system blew up, hot coolant hit vent and white smoke and coolant entered into vehicle, chemicals were very strong. Took vehicle to dealer ,and they will replace heater core, consumer indicated that he could have been injuried, because liquid was hot,consumer was temporarily blinded by white smoke.*ak consumer stated the dealer finally replaced the heater core after numerous complaints.*slc”Owner report · Visibility · Aug 2001
“Fog lights overheat. Vwoa has refused hella oem fog light replacement design. Heated outside rear view mirror delaminates.*ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2001
“Recall work performed and failure immediately occurred. Ruptured heater core repaired, but car is unsafe to drive due to coolant fumes. Dealer refuses to fix recall 98v295000. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2000
“While driving at 30mph steam came out thru vents (no visivility) and hot coolant came in from behind the dashboard burning me and my wife's feet, impairing vehicle control, almost causing an accident due to hot water and lack of visibility. According to vw a recall was performed to prevent this from happening on july 30, 1999 and the vehicle had 63,376 miles on it at the time. Now the vehicle has 68,505 miles. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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 CHECK OF THE COOLING SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENTS OPERATE PROPERLY.
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.
Remedy: REROUTE AND SECURE VARIOUS WIRING HARNESSES INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
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.
Remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.
How other years compare
Check your exact Corrado by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1992 Volkswagen Corrado reliable?
NHTSA has 50 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Volkswagen Corrado. The most complained-about area is visibility (62% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1992 Volkswagen Corrado problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 99,400 miles or less.
Does the 1992 Volkswagen Corrado have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:cooling system. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.