NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Volkswagen Eurovan Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 14 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Volkswagen dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1997 Volkswagen Eurovan owner complaints

Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan, describing incidents dated July 4, 1997 to May 14, 2007.

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
Tires 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint
Equipment 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint

Of the 14 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10194751 · Filed June 27, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE CONNECTING ENDS OF THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE REPAIR SHOP. THE VIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
ODI #10115165 · Filed April 6, 2005
THE PLASTIC PIECE ON THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT THAT LATCHES AND UNLATCHES THE BELT BUCKLE BROKE AND THE SPRING POPPED OUT. THE SEAT BELT CANNOT BE USED. *AK *SC
ODI #10000297 · Filed December 19, 2002
MY 1997 VW EUROVAN CAMPER CAUGHT FIRE ON DECEMBER 8, 2002 AS IT WAS BEING DRIVEN ON INTERSTATE 10 NEAR REDLANDS, CA. IT WAS TOTALLY LOST. APPARENTLY THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. VW, AFTER INSPECTION, DENIES RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE AN AFTER MARKET RADIO WAS INSTALLED. THE…

Read all 14 complaints

VOLKSWAGEN/WINNEBAGO/FUEL TANK

NHTSA #97V016001 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported February 11, 1997 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Potentially affected: 201 vehicles

Owners notified April 9, 1997 · Vehicles built August 12, 1996 – November 6, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE CAMPER EQUIPMENT, AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED POWER TOOL DRILL BIT PUNCTURED THE FUEL TANK VAPOR CONTAINER.

Safety consequence

FUEL VAPORS CAN ESCAPE WHICH COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS, ON BEHALF OF WINNEBAGO, WILL CHECK THE FUEL VAPOR CONTAINER FOR THE DEFECT AND IF A DEFECT IS PRESENT, THE FUEL VAPOR CONTAINER, WILL BE REPLACED.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 1997.NOTE:OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

14 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan.

Fuel System, Other

ODI #10194751

Incident: May 14, 2007 · Filed: June 27, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE CONNECTING ENDS OF THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE REPAIR SHOP. THE VIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

Seat Belts

ODI #10115165

Incident: March 13, 2005 · Filed: April 6, 2005

THE PLASTIC PIECE ON THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT THAT LATCHES AND UNLATCHES THE BELT BUCKLE BROKE AND THE SPRING POPPED OUT. THE SEAT BELT CANNOT BE USED. *AK *SC

Electrical System

ODI #10000297

Fire

Incident: December 8, 2002 · Filed: December 19, 2002

MY 1997 VW EUROVAN CAMPER CAUGHT FIRE ON DECEMBER 8, 2002 AS IT WAS BEING DRIVEN ON INTERSTATE 10 NEAR REDLANDS, CA. IT WAS TOTALLY LOST. APPARENTLY THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. VW, AFTER INSPECTION, DENIES RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE AN AFTER MARKET RADIO WAS INSTALLED. THE FIRM WHICH INSTALLED THE RADIO HAS INSPECTED THE CAR AND REPORTS THAT THE FIRE WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS GOOD EVIDENCE OF MUCH MORE HEAT ON THE RIGHT SIDE. WIRE INSULATION JACKETS ARE BURNED OFF THERE AND NOT NEAR THE RADIO. NO WIRES WERE CUT DURING THE RADIO INSTALLATION, BUT RATHER THE RADIO PLUG WAS CONNECTED TO THE VW PLUG. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 45,000 MILES ON IT. ON NOV. 6, 1998, THE DEALER REPLACED THE REGULATOR MOTOR AND THE WINDOW MOTOR IN THE PASSENGER DOOR. ON JUNE 19, 2000, THE DEALER REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR. ON JULY 17, 2000, THE DEALER FOUND A LOOSE WIRE CONNECTION WHEN I REPORTED THAT THE SPEAKERS WERE NOT WORKING SINCE THE JUNE 19 REPAIR.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #888575

Incident: May 1, 2001 · Filed: May 18, 2001

PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKE ROTORS.*AK CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT FRONT AND REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPALCED CONSUMER WAS COMPLAING OF BRAKES BEING NOISY WHEN BRAKING. *JB

Suspension

ODI #848133

Filed: September 20, 1999

THE REAR TIRES WEAR OUT BEFORE THE MILEAGE IS EXCEEDED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Visibility

ODI #847433

Incident: May 13, 1998 · Filed: September 9, 1999

THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD GO UP & THEN COME BACK DOWN WITHOUT THE POWER BUTTON BEING PRESSED. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 1998. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES & PROBLEM COULD NOT BE SOLVED. *AK

Power Train

ODI #756026

Incident: May 25, 1998 · Filed: December 26, 2001

PROBLEM IS AN INTERMITTENT, UNNESCESSARY, SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT OF TRANSMISSION WHEN ASCENDING A STEEP, LONG GRADE. AFTER DOWNSHIFTING, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT UPSHIFT EVEN WHEN RPM'S APPROACH 5000, FORCING ME TO SLOW DOWN. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC.

Unknown or Other

ODI #718113

Incident: April 15, 1998 · Filed: January 31, 2000

WE HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. WE WROTE A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF MANY OF THE PROBLEMS AND SENT IT TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA CONSUMER RELATIONS. THEY WERE NOT THE LEAST BIT INTERESTED IN ANY OF OUR PROBLEMS. WE CALLED THEM SEVERAL TIMES AFTER SENDING THE DETAILED LETTER AND THEY SAID "TOO BAD, NOT OUR PROBLEM." NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

Tires

ODI #712796

Filed: October 4, 1999

GOODYEAR NO LONGER MAKES A TIRE THAT WILL HANDLE THE MAXIMUM LOAD CAPACITY THAT IS NEEDED FOR THIS VAN. THE GVW IS APPROXIMATELY 5000. ONCE WATER, PROPANE, PASSENGERS, LUGGAGE, CAMPING EQUIPMENT IS ADDED, ANY CURRENT BRAND OF TIRE IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO SUSTAIN WEIGHT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SOMEONE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE, AND I BELIEVE IT IS VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURER. I'VE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO FIND A MAXIMUM LOAD OF 1500 POUNDS PER TIRE (6,000 TOTAL) WHICH IS NOT SUFFICIENT.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 1957015G64 )

Tires

ODI #606560

Incident: November 23, 1998 · Filed: February 1, 1999

TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW. YH

Other Volkswagen Eurovan model years

Check your 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volkswagen Eurovan at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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