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1987 Volkswagen Fox GL 4dr Sedan

The 1987 Volkswagen Fox GL 4dr Sedan is an 81-hp 1.8-liter inline-4 sedan with a 4-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $6,960 MSRP and is rated at 25 mpg combined.

It makes 81 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 93 lb-ft of torque at 3250 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 23 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (25 mpg combined).

The Fox measures 163.0 inches long on a 92.7-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,203 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$6,960 ($19,912 *)
Engine
Engine Type1.8L I4
Displacement1.8 L
Horsepower81 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque93 lb-ft @ 3250 rpm
ValvetrainSOHC, 8-valve
Injection TypeBosch CIS-E (KE-Jetronic) fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission4-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City23 MPG
Highway27 MPG
Combined25 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular gasoline
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front13.0 in
Wheels Rear13.0 in
Dimensions & Weight
Length163 in
Width62 in
Height53 in
Wheelbase92.7 in
Curb Weight2,203 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front36 in
Headroom Rear35 in
Legroom Front41 in
Legroom Rear30 in
Shoulder Room Front51 in
Shoulder Room Rear51 in
Hip Room Front52 in
Hip Room Rear52 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1987 Volkswagen FOX. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

May 23, 1995 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

IN THE EVENT OF A COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENT FAILURE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE COOLANT CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING THE COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TO RISE TO A LEVEL WHERE A LEAK IN THE HEAT EXCHANGER CAN OCCUR.

Consequence: A LEAK OR FAILURE OF THE HEAT EXCHANGER LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD CAN ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE FEET OF A PASSENGER. HOT COOLANT CAN ALSO STEAM UP THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BYPASS VALVE KIT WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ROUTE EXCESSIVELY HOT COOLANT TO THE ENGINE WITHOUT FLOWING THROUGH THE HEAT EXCHANGER. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A PLASTIC COVER UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ENSURE THAT THE PASSENGER IS NOT EXPOSED TO HOT COOLANT IN THE EVENT OF A LEAK.

NHTSA campaign 95V105000

Dec 1, 1988 · STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

STEERING WHEEL/SHAFT DESIGNED TO USE SURFACE FRICTION MAY LOOSE THIS FRICTION IF GREASE OR OIL IS PRESENT ON THE CONESHAPED SURFACE OF THE STEERING SHAFT.

Consequence: IF THE ABOVE CONDITION IS PRESENT AND THE STEERING WHEELNUT IS TORQUED LOWER THAN SPECIFIED, BREAK OF THE FRICTION LOCK COULD RESULT INLOOSENING AND SEPARATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL.

Remedy: REMOVE THE STEERING WHEEL OF VEHICLES AND CLEAN FRICTION SURFACE AND INSTALL A SPRING RETAINER, REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL NUT WITH A SELF LOCKING NUT.

NHTSA campaign 88V187000

Oct 20, 1987 · WHEELS

UNDER HEAVY LOAD CONDITIONS, THE REAR TIRE SIDEWALLS MAY CHAFE AGAINST THE WHEEL HOUSING.

Consequence: PROLONGED CHAFING CAN CAUSE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR ANDCOULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR.

Remedy: INSTALL A DIFFERENT TYPE SPORT WHEELS OR INSTALL STANDARD WHEELS.

NHTSA campaign 87V162000

10 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1987 Volkswagen FOX

Owner Complaints

10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1987 Volkswagen FOX. See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine And Engine Cooling6
Visibility3
Equipment1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Apr 17, 2003 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SYMPTOMS OF RECALL #95-V-10-5000 BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. RECALL DESCRIPTION: IN THE EVENT OF A COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENT FAILURE…”
Feb 2, 2003 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“I OWN AN '87 VOLKSWAGEN FOX. I'M TOLD BY MANY PEOPLE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE COOLANT BYPASS VALVE. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO A COUPLE VW DEALERSHIPS AND ALSO CALLED VWOA AND THEY TELL ME MY CAR WAS…”
Oct 29, 1999 · Visibility
“DEALER WILL NOT PERFORM RECALL (95V105) WORK FOR THE HEATER CORE VALVE BECAUSE THE CONSUMER HAS A/C SYSTEM THAT DID NOT COME FROM THE FACTORY AND IT IS BLOCKING ACCESS TO THE VALVE. NLM”
Jun 21, 1999 · Equipment
“AFTER A/C IS ON AFTER 10 MILES IT START GETTING WARM”
Aug 1, 1997 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“RECALL # 95V105000, RECALL CORRECTION, CAUSED AN INCREASE IN PRESSURE IN THE COOLING SYSTEM, CAUSING RADIATOR TO BURST. DEALER OR MANUFACTURER WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. *AK”

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 1987 VOLKSWAGEN FOX. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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