# NHTSA recall 88V187000

A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.

- Published by: NHTSA \(United States\)
- Campaign number: 88V187000
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Reported: 1988\-12\-01
- Owners notified: 1989\-02\-23
- Component: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
- Units potentially affected: 104000

## What is wrong

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.


## What can happen

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.


## The 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.


## Notes

SYSTEM: STEERING.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.


## Vehicles this campaign lists

- [1987 VOLKSWAGEN FOX](/makes/volkswagen/fox/1987/recalls.md). Built 1986\-01\-01 to 1988\-11\-01.
- [1988 VOLKSWAGEN FOX](/makes/volkswagen/fox/1988/recalls.md). Built 1986\-01\-01 to 1988\-11\-01.
- [1989 VOLKSWAGEN FOX](/makes/volkswagen/fox/1989/recalls.md). Built 1986\-01\-01 to 1988\-11\-01.

## Investigated as PE88102

This recall followed 1 NHTSA investigation. An investigation is NHTSA looking into a possible defect. It is not a finding that a defect exists, and it does not say that any one vehicle is affected.

- PE88102: Preliminary evaluation, opened 1988\-09\-15, closed 1989\-01\-05. STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION. STEERING.

From NHTSA's investigation file, as of 2026-10-19. JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/88V187000/investigations](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/88V187000/investigations)

## Check a VIN

- [NHTSA recall lookup by VIN, United States](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls)
- [Transport Canada recall search, Canada](https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/menu.aspx?lang=eng)

JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/88V187000](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/88V187000)

[Report an error on this page](https://github.com/wenmar-pro/wenmar-open/issues/new?template=data_correction.yml&title=Data%20correction%3A%20NHTSA%20recall%2088V187000&page=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.wenmarpro.com%2Frecalls%2Fnhtsa%2F88V187000&vehicle=NHTSA%20recall%2088V187000)