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1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1990 Cabriolet.

Transmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet paired its 3-speed automatic transmission with EPA fuel-economy estimates of 21/26/23 mpg and specified a 3.7-quart oil capacity filled with 20W-40, 20W-50, or 20W-20 API-grade lubricant. In the context of the model’s reliability history, this year occupies a position defined by just 10 owner complaints and four recalls. With air bags standing as the top complaint area, that lean record means the 1990 model’s documented issues are largely concentrated in a single system rather than indicating broad mechanical vulnerability.

Model year1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.7 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type20W-40 / 20W-50 / 20W-20 APIOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy21/26/23 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 3-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	153.1 in
Overall width	64.6 in
Overall height	55.5 in
Wheelbase	94.5 in
Curb weight	2286 lb
Track (front / rear)	55.1 / 53.9 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	21 / 26 / 23 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Cabriolet of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

11.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 11.60 sec — 1990 Convertible

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1990	Convertible 1.8L I-4	11.60 sec	18.30 sec	94 hp	FWD
1989	Convertible 1.8L I-4	12.50 sec	—	94 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.7 qt of 20W-40 / 20W-50 / 20W-20 API engine oil, GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil	GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.7 Pints
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	API · 20W-40 · 20W-50 · 20W-20
Engine Oil Capacity	3.7 qt
Power Steering Fluid	USE VW. PART NO. G002000

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi.

At 7,500 mi	Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Door Stop (lubricate)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet dominate in one area — the air bags, 6 of 10 reports (60%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 4 recall campaigns target the air bags, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 10 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Air Bags6

Fuel System, Gasoline2

Engine & Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Gasoline1

Equipment1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

92V058000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 14/04/1992

THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL ON THE ENGINE MAY SHRINK BEYOND THE CLAMP FORCE OF THE FUEL HOSE CLAMPS, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK. Remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.

91V162000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 11/09/1991

THE CENTER OF THE WATER SEPARATOR PANEL LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BETWEEN ENGINE AND FIREWALL COULD BEND IN THE EVENT SOMEONE LEANS ON IT DURING ENGINE MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS OR CHECKING OF FLUID LEVELS. A BENT… Remedy: INSTALL REINFORCEMENT BRACKET TO SECURE SEPARATOR PANEL.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
2015831	2008-08-28	Engine And Engine Cooling	VOLKSWAGEN: EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD, REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES. HEAT SHIELDS ARE TO BE INSPECTED…
0101	2001-06-12	Seats	SUBJECT REGARDING LATCH SYSTEM LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN, INSTALLING /…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Cabriolet. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 3.7 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1990 Cabriolet take?

3.7 qt of ABOVE 68 degrees F: 40W API SL, 32 degrees F TO 86 degrees F: 30W API SL, ABOVE 14 degrees F: 20W-40, 20W-50 API SL, 14 degrees F TO 50 degrees F: 20W-20 API SL, BELOW 25 degrees F: 10W API (STARBU, per the factory manual.

Does the 1990 Cabriolet have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Cabriolet get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined mpg.