V
VIN Check Engine
VIN REPORT

WV2ZB0258KG0002671989 VOLKSWAGEN VanagonCamper

6of 100
Low Risk
Buyer Risk Score
Recalls · Model-Wide
2
2 campaigns (all model years)
Safety Grade
C+
77/100 composite
Complaints · 1989
None
Clean record
Vehicle Age
37 yrs
Made in AUSTRIA
BUYPurchase Verdict

1989 VOLKSWAGEN Vanagon was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 2 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase.

Verdict & Risk Assessment
📄

Executive Summary

1989 VOLKSWAGEN Vanagon

1989 VOLKSWAGEN Vanagon was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 2 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase.

  • 2 open recalls — verify these have been repaired before purchase
  • Engine or platform shared with models that have documented failure issues
6
of 100
Low Risk
Low risk profile — minor signals only, likely routine.
LOWMODERATEHIGHCRITICAL
1 Contributing Risk Factor
2 model-wide recalls on record
+6
Critical Alerts

Title Brand Check

Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull

No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.

Vehicle

Vehicle Specifications

Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database

Make
VOLKSWAGEN
Model
Vanagon
Year
1989
Trim / Series
Camper
Body Style
Van
Vehicle Type
MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Engine
4-cyl 2.1L 90 hp
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.
Assembly
GRAZ, AUSTRIA
GVWR
Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Assembly Plant Quality

Plant: GRAZ, AUSTRIA

CQuality55/100
Standard📍 GRAZ, AUSTRIA

No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.

Safety

Safety Intelligence

Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data

Overall Safety Grade
C+
Score: 77/100
Crash Test Rating20/40
Recall Safety27/30
Complaint History30/30
Recall Risk Score
10/100Low

✓ No high-risk recall components found

Modern Safety Index
0/100
Basic
0 of 20 safety features detected
Missing: Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian AEB, Forward Collision Warning, Electronic Stability Control
Shared Platform Risk

2.0L EA888 TSI: timing chain tensioner and water pump failures well-documented

Also affects: Golf, Jetta, Passat, Tiguan, A3, Q3
Recalls2

NHTSA Safety Recalls

2 RECALLS
2found
ℹ

NHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 2 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Estimated Repair Completion (Statistical)

Average repair completion across 2 recalls is ~64%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.

64%
avg repaired

Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.

VOLKSWAGEN Recall Completion Rate — Industry Context
84%Fair

VOLKSWAGEN completes recalls at a fair rate (84%). If this vehicle has open recalls, follow up with a dealer — average remedy time is ~22 months.

Avg time to remedy open recall: ~22 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports

Avg Fix Time
22mo
#93V175000
Invalid Date

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

SummaryTHE PLASTIC MATERIAL OF THE CENTER AIR FLOW DUCT, WHICH IS FASTENED BY TWO MOUNTING SCREWS TO THE CEILING OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, CAN CRACK AND EVENTUALLY BREAK.
Read full details...
ConsequenceIF THE PLASTIC BREAKS WHERE IT IS HELD AT THE TWOMOUNTING SCREWS, THE CENTER AIR FLOW DUCT CAN SEPARATE FROM ITS SUPPORTS ANDCAUSE INJURY TO THE PASSENGERS SITTING IN THE CENTER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE.
Est. Repair Completion~64%

~36% chance this recall was never fixed

Moderate Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

#89V067000
Jan 1989

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SummaryWHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL THE ACCELERATOR CABLE TENSION MAY ALLOW THE CABLE TO SAG AND BECOME ENTANGLED WITH THE WATER PIPE BRACKET IMPEDING ITS RETURN TO IDLE POSITION.
Read full details...
ConsequenceFAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE POSITION COULD LEAD TO ANACCIDENT.
Est. Repair Completion~64%

~36% chance this recall was never fixed

Moderate Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

Recall Intelligence

Detailed analysis of recall history and severity

Recall Age — How Long Open
LONG-STANDING OPEN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
37.8yr open

⚠ One or more recalls have been open for over 5 years — may never have been repaired on this vehicle.

First Recall
01/05/1989
2 total campaigns
Recall Remedy Breakdown
2
Part Replacements
0
Software/OTA Updates
0
Buyback/Refund
0
High-Effort Repairs
⚠ 1 recall is over 2 years old — statistically less likely to have been completed. Verify repair status with any dealer using your VIN.
Complaints
Details & Analysis
Financial

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation

$33,114
~$552/mo over 5 yrs
$0.1/mi
cost per mile
Fuel
$10,000
Insurance (est.)
$7,500
Maintenance
$9,000
Repair Risk Buffer
$1,500
Depreciation
$5,114

Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $33,114 (~$552/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.

Negotiation Ammunition

Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down

2 open recalls (unverified repair status)−$1,000
1 recall over 2 years old — likely uncompleted−$400
Total recommended deduction−$1,400

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Tailored for the 1989 VOLKSWAGEN Vanagon — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list

HIGH
Verify recall EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER has been repaired
Recall on record for: THE PLASTIC MATERIAL OF THE CENTER AIR FLOW DUCT, WHICH IS FASTENED BY TWO MOUNTING SCREWS TO THE CEILING OF THE PASSENG
HIGH
Verify recall VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL has been repaired
Recall on record for: WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL THE ACCELERATOR CABLE TENSION MAY ALLOW THE CABLE TO SAG AND BECOME ENTANGLED WITH THE WAT
MEDIUM
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic
For any used vehicle with a risk score above Low, a $100–$150 independent inspection is always worth it.
MEDIUM
Run a VIN check on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls are closed
Free at nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/recalls — enter the VIN and confirm all campaigns show as completed.
MEDIUM
Verify title is clean and check for salvage/rebuilt brands at your state DMV
Title washing across state lines is common — confirm with your state DMV before finalizing purchase.

Recall Probability Forecast

Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals

5%
18-month
10%
2-year
Low Probability
Cumulative 2-year risk: 10%

5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.

Maintenance Schedule

OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle

Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.

Official VOLKSWAGEN Maintenance Guide ↗Search Owner's Manual ↗

Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.

History & Auctions

Insurance Cost Estimate

Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings

Full Coverage
$1,270–$1,620/yr
~$106–$135/mo
Liability Only
$560–$710/yr
~$47–$59/mo
Category: Standard Vehicle
▼ 37-year-old vehicle: −28% (lower ACV reduces comprehensive/collision cost)

Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.

Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History

Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations

VOLKSWAGEN has been fined $19000M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2017: Criminal plea agreement related to Dieselgate.

2016$14700MDieselgate settlement — defeat device software in TDI engines to cheat EPA emissions tests
2017$4300MCriminal plea agreement related to Dieselgate

State-Specific Legal Protections

What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state

Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.

Complete Data Table

All decoded fields in a single flattened view

Vehicle Identity

VINWV2ZB0258KG000267
Model Year1989
MakeVOLKSWAGEN
ModelVanagon
TrimCamper
Vehicle TypeMULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)

Body & Configuration

Body StyleVan
Fuel TypeGasoline

Engine

Engine Cylinders4
Displacement (L)2.1
Horsepower90

Manufacturer

ManufacturerVOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.
Assembly CityGRAZ
Assembly CountryAUSTRIA

VIN Structure

WMI (Chars 1–3)WV2
Check Digit (Char 9)8
Model Year Code (Char 10)K
Plant Code (Char 11)G
Sequence (Chars 12–17)000267

Safety Data

NHTSA Recall Count2
NHTSA Complaint Count0

VIN Structure Decode

ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number

W
1
V
2
2
3
Z
4
B
5
0
6
2
7
5
8
8
9
K
10
G
11
0
12
0
13
0
14
2
15
6
16
7
17
WMI (1–3)
VDS (4–8)
Check Digit (9)
Model Year (10)
Serial (11–17)
W
World Manufacturer
Country & region of manufacture
Position 1
V
Manufacturer
Specific manufacturer identifier
Position 2
2
Vehicle Type
Division or vehicle type
Position 3
ZB025
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Body style, engine type, restraint system
Position 4–8
8
Check Digit
Mathematical validation character
Position 9
K
Model Year
Year of manufacture
Position 10
G
Assembly Plant
Where the vehicle was assembled
Position 11
000267
Production Sequence
Unique serial number for this vehicle
Position 12–17
Country of Manufacture
Germany
From VIN position 1 (W)
Model Year Character
"K" → 1989
Could also be 2019
Check Digit (Pos 9)
✓ Valid
ISO 3779 weighted-sum algorithm
ℹ

Production sequence #267 — one of the first units built this model year. Early production runs sometimes have higher defect rates as assembly lines are calibrated.

Research This Model
Reliability Scores
Year-by-year reliability ratings
Years to Avoid
Best & worst model years ranked
Common Problems
Owner complaints & known defects
All NHTSA Recalls
Complete recall campaign history
View all VOLKSWAGEN VIN reports →← New Lookup

Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 11/1/2026, 4:03:26 PM.