1989 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 1989 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 $8,240 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 | $8,240 ($21,597 *) |
| 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 1989 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 1989 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
9 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1989 Volkswagen FOX
Owner Complaints
9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1989 Volkswagen FOX (1 mention a crash). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Visibility | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
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 1989 VOLKSWAGEN FOX. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.