US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained
Volkswagen Scirocco recalls and complaints by year
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Volkswagen Scirocco,
sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Volkswagen Scirocco. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Volkswagen Scirocco,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 1975–1988 with 45 recall campaigns and 23 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 1978 (8), 1979 (7), and 1976 (7).
Years with the most complaint volume: 1987 (15), 1988 (3), and 1986 (2).
Top recall themes: Brakes, Fuel and emissions, and Other.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly, Power train:automatic transmission, Power train:manual transmission.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Brakes
5 campaigns · Years: 1975–1979
These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.
Official notices (evidence):
78V261000
· Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
83V116000
· Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
77V182000
· Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
+ 2 more notices in this theme
Fuel and emissions
5 campaigns · Years: 1976–1982, 1985–1988
These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.
Official notices (evidence):
77V246000
· Steering: Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Most Reported Issues
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Volkswagen Scirocco in NHTSA complaint data are
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly, Power train:automatic transmission, Power train:manual transmission.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
1988
1
3
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly.
1987
2
15
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly, Power train:automatic transmission, Power train:manual transmission.
1986
1
2
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly.
1985
3
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1982
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1981
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1980
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1979
7
1
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:anchorage.
1978
8
2
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.
1977
6
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1976
7
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1975
6
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Fuel system
, Structure
and Service brakes
Show recall evidence by year
1988
Fuel system, gasoline: Tank assembly:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: A crack can develop in the fuel tank adjacent to a seam weld in the rear of the tank.
1987
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel pump:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Fuel pump, located inside fuel tank, could seize during high ambient temperatures because of an extreme fine mesh fuel filter restricting the fuel flow.
Fuel system, gasoline: Tank assembly:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: A crack can develop in the fuel tank adjacent to a seam weld in the rear of the tank.
1986
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel pump:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Fuel pump, located inside fuel tank, could seize during high ambient temperatures because of an extreme fine mesh fuel filter restricting the fuel flow.
1985
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel rail:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The hose connected to the pump located inside the fuel tank may become disconnected when the vehicle is in use. If this happens, the fuel supply to the engine will be interrupted, causing the vehicle to stall.
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel pump:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The fuel pump located inside the fuel tank could fail during high ambient temperatures. This failure is caused by bearing tolerances which do not accommodate temperature expansions. Consequence of defect: in the event that the fuel pump fails, it will interrupt the fuel supply to the engine, the
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel pump:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Fuel pump, located inside fuel tank, could seize during high ambient temperatures because of an extreme fine mesh fuel filter restricting the fuel flow.
1982
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The fuel pump may stop functioning without warning. This can occur because an electrical connector in the fuse panel may overheat and interrupt the electrical circuit.
1981
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The fuel pump may stop functioning without warning. This can occur because an electrical connector in the fuse panel may overheat and interrupt the electrical circuit.
1980
Vehicle speed control: Cables:
Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The accelerator cable which leads from the transmission lever to the throttle housing may malfunction. Accelerator cable may have been bent during installation or during servicing of engine components. This could cause the steel band cable to bind and can result in delayed response during deceler
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The fuel pump may stop functioning without warning. This can occur because an electrical connector in the fuse panel may overheat and interrupt the electrical circuit.
1979
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The front brake line and brake hose assembly may have been improperly routed. The brake hose could then rub against the wheel at certain wheel positions during vehicle operation. This will result in brake hose wear and brake fluid loss.
Electrical system: Relay:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Due to an improperly sealed antenna mounting hole, water could seap into the fuse relay board. The water entering the fuse relay board acts as a conductor of current, thereby charging the starter.
Structure: Body:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On some vehicles, the fender opening through which the antenna cable is routed may not be properly sealed. As a result, splashed water from the tires could enter passenger compartment through the opening, enter the fuse relay board and cause corrosion of the terminals. Also, because water is a go
Vehicle speed control: Cables:
Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The accelerator cable which leads from the transmission lever to the throttle housing may malfunction. Accelerator cable may have been bent during installation or during servicing of engine components. This could cause the steel band cable to bind and can result in delayed response during deceler
Structure: Body:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Corrosive damage and increased electrical resistance may cause the fuel pump relay to stop functioning. The fuel pump relay is one of several relays on a relay board located near the firewall. Corrosion caused by rain entering an improperly sealed antenna hole has been the subject of previous cam
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Brake lines installed underneath the carpeting in the passenger compartment may rust due to the entry of water and road salt. If rusting remains unchecked, it produces leaks in the lines and brake fluid may be lost.
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The fuel pump may stop functioning without warning. This can occur because an electrical connector in the fuse panel may overheat and interrupt the electrical circuit.
1978
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On the involved vehicles, the two rubber elbows, located at each end of the plastic pipe leading from the throttle valve body housing to the brake booster vacuum pump, may be damaged as a result of improper clamp installation.
Parking brake: Linkage and cable:
Safety recall involving the parking brake area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The rear axle brake cable bracket is attached to the outside of a flange bolt of the rear axle. This bracket was not correctly installed during assembly.
Electrical system: Relay:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Due to an improperly sealed antenna mounting hole, water could seap into the fuse relay board. The water entering the fuse relay board acts as a conductor of current, thereby charging the starter.
Structure: Body:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On some vehicles, the fender opening through which the antenna cable is routed may not be properly sealed. As a result, splashed water from the tires could enter passenger compartment through the opening, enter the fuse relay board and cause corrosion of the terminals. Also, because water is a go
Vehicle speed control: Cables:
Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The accelerator cable which leads from the transmission lever to the throttle housing may malfunction. Accelerator cable may have been bent during installation or during servicing of engine components. This could cause the steel band cable to bind and can result in delayed response during deceler
Structure: Body:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Corrosive damage and increased electrical resistance may cause the fuel pump relay to stop functioning. The fuel pump relay is one of several relays on a relay board located near the firewall. Corrosion caused by rain entering an improperly sealed antenna hole has been the subject of previous cam
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Brake lines installed underneath the carpeting in the passenger compartment may rust due to the entry of water and road salt. If rusting remains unchecked, it produces leaks in the lines and brake fluid may be lost.
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The fuel pump may stop functioning without warning. This can occur because an electrical connector in the fuse panel may overheat and interrupt the electrical circuit.
1977
Electrical system: Relay:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Due to an improperly sealed antenna mounting hole, water could seap into the fuse relay board. The water entering the fuse relay board acts as a conductor of current, thereby charging the starter.
Structure: Body:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On some vehicles, the fender opening through which the antenna cable is routed may not be properly sealed. As a result, splashed water from the tires could enter passenger compartment through the opening, enter the fuse relay board and cause corrosion of the terminals. Also, because water is a go
Vehicle speed control: Cables:
Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The accelerator cable which leads from the transmission lever to the throttle housing may malfunction. Accelerator cable may have been bent during installation or during servicing of engine components. This could cause the steel band cable to bind and can result in delayed response during deceler
Structure: Body:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Corrosive damage and increased electrical resistance may cause the fuel pump relay to stop functioning. The fuel pump relay is one of several relays on a relay board located near the firewall. Corrosion caused by rain entering an improperly sealed antenna hole has been the subject of previous cam
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Brake lines installed underneath the carpeting in the passenger compartment may rust due to the entry of water and road salt. If rusting remains unchecked, it produces leaks in the lines and brake fluid may be lost.
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The fuel pump may stop functioning without warning. This can occur because an electrical connector in the fuse panel may overheat and interrupt the electrical circuit.
1976
Vehicle speed control: Cables:
Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The accelerator cable assembly in the involved vehicles could fail prematurely under certain operating conditions. This would either prevent the accelerator pedal from returning to the idle position or cause a loss of adequate engine power.
Electrical system: Relay:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Due to an improperly sealed antenna mounting hole, water could seap into the fuse relay board. The water entering the fuse relay board acts as a conductor of current, thereby charging the starter.
Structure: Body:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On some vehicles, the fender opening through which the antenna cable is routed may not be properly sealed. As a result, splashed water from the tires could enter passenger compartment through the opening, enter the fuse relay board and cause corrosion of the terminals. Also, because water is a go
Vehicle speed control: Cables:
Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The accelerator cable which leads from the transmission lever to the throttle housing may malfunction. Accelerator cable may have been bent during installation or during servicing of engine components. This could cause the steel band cable to bind and can result in delayed response during deceler
Structure: Body:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Corrosive damage and increased electrical resistance may cause the fuel pump relay to stop functioning. The fuel pump relay is one of several relays on a relay board located near the firewall. Corrosion caused by rain entering an improperly sealed antenna hole has been the subject of previous cam
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Brake lines installed underneath the carpeting in the passenger compartment may rust due to the entry of water and road salt. If rusting remains unchecked, it produces leaks in the lines and brake fluid may be lost.
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The fuel pump may stop functioning without warning. This can occur because an electrical connector in the fuse panel may overheat and interrupt the electrical circuit.
1975
Service brakes, hydraulic: Pedals and linkages:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Vehicle speed control: Cables:
Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The accelerator cable assembly in the involved vehicles could fail prematurely under certain operating conditions. This would either prevent the accelerator pedal from returning to the idle position or cause a loss of adequate engine power.
Steering: Gear box (other than rack and pinion):
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On the involved vehicles, the roller bearing inside the steering gear box could become dislocated. This could cause looseness and excessive play in the steering system.
Electrical system: Relay:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Due to an improperly sealed antenna mounting hole, water could seap into the fuse relay board. The water entering the fuse relay board acts as a conductor of current, thereby charging the starter.
Structure: Body:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On some vehicles, the fender opening through which the antenna cable is routed may not be properly sealed. As a result, splashed water from the tires could enter passenger compartment through the opening, enter the fuse relay board and cause corrosion of the terminals. Also, because water is a go
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Brake lines installed underneath the carpeting in the passenger compartment may rust due to the entry of water and road salt. If rusting remains unchecked, it produces leaks in the lines and brake fluid may be lost.
Other Volkswagen Models
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Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
