1988 Volkswagen Fox GL 4dr Sedan
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 1987 Volkswagen Fox GL 4-Door in Pastel White, Front Right, 10-10-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Volkswagen Fox on alloys by dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada; cropped and levels adjusted by uploader Mr.choppers, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1st-Volkswagen-Fox-sedan by IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: VWFox by dave_7, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Back of a 1992 Volkswagen fox- Base model- 2014-06-04 05-58 by User:Patches1985, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1988 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 $7,600 MSRP and is rated at 24 mpg combined.
It makes 81 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 93 lb-ft of torque at 3250 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 22 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (24 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 Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $7,600 ($20,879 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 1.8L I4 |
| Displacement | 1.8 L |
| Horsepower | 81 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 93 lb-ft @ 3250 rpm |
| Valvetrain | SOHC, 8-valve |
| Injection Type | Bosch CIS-E (KE-Jetronic) fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | FWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 22 MPG |
| Highway | 27 MPG |
| Combined | 24 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| Tank Capacity | 12 gal |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 13.0 in |
| Wheels Rear | 13.0 in |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 163 in |
| Width | 62 in |
| Height | 53 in |
| Wheelbase | 92.7 in |
| Ground Clearance | 5.5 in |
| Curb Weight | 2,203 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 36 in |
| Headroom Rear | 35 in |
| Legroom Front | 41 in |
| Legroom Rear | 30 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 51 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 51 in |
| Hip Room Front | 52 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 52 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1988 Volkswagen Fox GL 4dr Sedan with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1988 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
24 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1988 Volkswagen FOX
Owner Complaints
24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1988 Volkswagen FOX (1 mention a crash, 1 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Visibility | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Structure | 3 |
| Hydraulic | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 2 |
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 1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.