Model year guide

1987 Volkswagen GOLF

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1987 Volkswagen GOLF is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 733 on record.

1987 Volkswagen GOLF at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints4
Combined22–33 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1987 Volkswagen GOLF recalls 4

Service Brakes, Hydraulic NHTSA Campaign #06E018000 · manufacturer #171.611.701B · 01/03/2006

CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, P/N 171.611.107B, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1975-1985 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RABBIT; 1985-1992 VW GOLF; AND 1980-1992 VW JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD OCCUR WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES."

Fix: FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE BRAKE HOSES WITH COMPLIANT BRAKE HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS AT 305-885-8646 EXT. 11.

Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:heater Core NHTSA Campaign #92V050000 · 14/04/1992

THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

Fix: REPLACE THE HEATER CORE WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER CORE.

Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs NHTSA Campaign #87V063000 · 08/05/1987

THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL LUG NUTS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TORQUED.

Fix: INSPECT AND RE-TORQUE LEFT FRONT WHEEL LUG NUTS.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #87V053000 · 14/04/1987

FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE FUEL TANK, COULD SEIZE DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF AN EXTREME FINE MESH FUEL FILTER RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW.

Fix: INSTALL A MODIFIED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 7 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1987 Volkswagen GOLF common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

1987 Volkswagen GOLF MPG & running costs

Combined22–33 mpg
City25 mpg
Highway31 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,850
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume87 cu ft
Cargo volume18 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$2,250 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1987 Volkswagen GOLF costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,250
Fuel only$14,250
Per mile$0.19

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1987 Volkswagen GOLF vehicles on record

1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW466154 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHB658257 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW356471 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW743350 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW795327 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW751887 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW935123 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW458256 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW793540 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW724476 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW920633 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW163535 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW274807 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHB777146 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHB884830 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW368861 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZJB087014 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW904980 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW695949 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW934943 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW741694 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW820957 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW793695 1987 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ19ZHW189922

Other Volkswagen GOLF model years

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1987 Volkswagen GOLF — frequently asked questions

Does the 1987 Volkswagen GOLF have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1987 Volkswagen GOLF. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1987 Volkswagen GOLF?

Across all 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel system, gasoline, engine and engine cooling.

What gas mileage does the 1987 Volkswagen GOLF get?

The 1987 Volkswagen GOLF has U.S. EPA estimates of 22–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.