1993 Volkswagen Corrado: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 48 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (44% 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 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While driving veh at on highway approx 5 minutes, heater in dash started putting hot steam into cabin and over windshield. Vehicle became undrivable. I was able to pull over safely, but vision through windshield was affected and steam contacted my wife and my legs-no injury due to quickly shutting off engine and pulling over. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 2004
“Failure of heater core in 1993 vw corrado slc resulting in a near instantaneous fogging and complete lack of visibility in the car.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2003
“While driving, consumer heard a loud "pop" noise and vehicle filled up with steam eliminating consumer's visibility. Pulled over to side of road, narrowly avoiding a collision. Ts”Owner report · Visibility · Dec 2002
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving I suddenly felt a burning sensation on my right foot that coincided with the passenger compartment filling up with what appeared to be steam. I had to take immediate evasive action to pull off onto the steep shoulder of a two lane highway. Apparently the heater core failed, and what I felt on my foot was anti-freeze. Fortunately I had shoes on so I was not injured. Dealing with the interior facing a rapid "fog up" condition was potentially very dangerous. I didn't know something like this could happen!*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2002
“There was some fuel leakage coming from vehicle, it was leaking from the fuel lines to the fuel rail and causing a fuel smell, dealer replaced the fuel lines. *slc”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2001
“White thick gas was coming from vents of vehicle. There was a little odor. Also, thick white gas made visibility poor. Contacted dealer, and dealer indicated problem was heater core. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Aug 2001
“While driving cooling fan broke, causing engine to overheat and vehicle to stall out. Took vehicle to dealership, and mechanic indicated that the wires for cooling fan had been misrouted and needed to be changed.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2001
“Radiator fan seized up, loud grinding noise heard, then it stopped. Contacted dealer. *ak consumer was told by dealership vehicle is not covered under recall, although other vehicles in the same year have the same problem. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2001
“Heater core failed soon after I started engine. The engine was cold. Fumes/vapor started coming from the ventilation system into the car. Apparently this is a known problem with 1990 corrados (NHTSA 96v115000 corrado recall) but the manufacturer has not issued a recall for later models, despite similar failures reported by other corrado owners (after 1990). *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2000
“After heater core failure repairs vehicle experienced intermitent electrical function . Checked to find coolant damage and advised not to drive due to threat of electricial short leading to dash fire .*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
IMPROPER MATERIAL WAS USED IN MANUFACTURING THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAUSING THE SHAFT TO WEAR AND BECOME NOISY.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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 1993 Volkswagen Corrado reliable?
NHTSA has 48 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Volkswagen Corrado. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (44% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Volkswagen Corrado problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 110,000 miles or less.
Does the 1993 Volkswagen Corrado have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan. 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.