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1978 Volkswagen Scirocco 4MT

The 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco 4MT is a 71-hp 1.5-liter inline-4 with a 4-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It is rated at 29 mpg combined.

It makes 71 horsepower at 5,800 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 25 mpg city and 38 mpg highway (29 mpg combined).

The Scirocco measures 155.7 inches long on a 94.5-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeHatchback
PowertrainGas
Engine
Engine TypeEA827 1.5L SOHC I4, naturally aspirated
Displacement1.5 L
Horsepower71 hp @ 5,800 rpm
ValvetrainSOHC, 2 valves per cylinder, timing belt
Bore and Stroke79.5 x 73.4
Injection TypeBosch CIS fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission4-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City25 MPG
Highway38 MPG
Combined29 MPG
Recommended FuelLeaded gasoline
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent coil/shock absorber struts, lower triangular control arms, negative steering roll radius
Rear SuspensionIndependent stabilizer axle, coil/shock absorber struts
Rear Stabilizer BarYes
Turning Diameter31.2 ft
Brakes
Front Brake DiscPower-assisted disc
Rear Brake DiscDrum
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front5J x 13
Wheels Rear5J x 13
Tires Front175/70 SR13
Tires Rear175/70 SR13
Dimensions & Weight
Length155.7 in
Width63.9 in
Height51.5 in
Wheelbase94.5 in
Ground Clearance4.6 in
Cargo Volume16 ft³

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

8 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1978 Volkswagen SCIROCCO. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Nov 9, 1983 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

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.

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUSE BOX AND ITS CONNECTORS FOR CORROSION, AND CORRECT WHERE NECESSARY. A BYPASS ADAPTER TO THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL BE INSTALLED.

NHTSA campaign 83V117000

Nov 9, 1983 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE INTERIOR BRAKE LINES AT NO COST TO OWNER. OWNERS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT ALL BRAKE LINES SHOULD BE INSPECTED AT TWO-YEAR INTERVALS.

NHTSA campaign 83V116000

Sep 24, 1981 · STRUCTURE:BODY

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 CAMPAIGNS, BUT ADDITIONAL MEASURES ARE REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT THE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED.

Remedy: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE MODIFICATION HAS BEEN PERFORMED. IF NOT, A BYPASS WILL BE INSTALLED TO LOCATE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY AWAY FROM THE RELAY BOARD. ANY CORRODED RELAY BOARDS OR CONNECTORS WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA campaign 81V113000

Jan 28, 1981 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

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 DECELERATION, HIGH ENGINE IDLE AND HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION.

Remedy: THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE. IN ADDITION, OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE ACCELERATION SYSTEM WILL BE CHECKED, LUBRICATED, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACED. THIS WILL BE DONE WITHOUT CHARGE.

NHTSA campaign 81V012000

Mar 26, 1980 · STRUCTURE:BODY

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 GOOD CONDUCTOR OF ELECTRICITY, THE STARTER CAN BE ACTIVATED ACCIDENTALLY; THE HIGH FLOW OF ELECTRICITY MAY EXHAUST THE BATTERY WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THUS RESTARTING THE ENGINE WOULD BECOME IMPOSSIBLE AND PARKING LIGHTS AND EMERGENCY FLASHERS WOULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, SEAL THE RADIO ANTENNA HOLES AND REPLACE CORRODED COMPONENTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER..

NHTSA campaign 80V035000

May 17, 1979 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY

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.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL SEAL ALL RADIO ANTENNA CABLE HOLES. IN ADDITION, ELECTRICAL PARTS OF THE RELAY/FUSE BOARD WILL BE CHECKED AND REPLACED IN THE CASE OF CORROSION.

NHTSA campaign 79V120000

Jun 1, 1978 · PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE

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.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL RELOCATE THE BRACKET AND INSTALL A NEW FLANGE, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE.

NHTSA campaign 78V118000

Oct 18, 1977 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE RUBBER ELBOW CONNECTIONS AND INSTALL NEW TYPE CLAMPS, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

NHTSA campaign 77V182000

1 owner complaint to NHTSA for the 1978 Volkswagen SCIROCCO

Owner Complaints

1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA for the 1978 Volkswagen SCIROCCO. See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Hydraulic1
Service Brakes1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Jul 25, 2011 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
“VIN NUMBER = [XXX] VW DEALER 4724 ROOSEVELT WAY NORTHEAST, SEATTLE, WA (206) 634-3322 HAS NOT BEING HELPFUL WITH 1978 VOLKSWAGEN SCIROCCO SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC RECALL 83V116000. MY BRAKES FAILED…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1978 VOLKSWAGEN SCIROCCO. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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