The problem
Improper material was used in manufacturing the radiator fan motor shaft causing the shaft to wear and become noisy.
The risk
A worn and noisy fan motor shaft can seize renderingthe fan motor inoperative, eventually causing the engine to overheat and stall. A stalled vehicle in traffic can increase the potential for a vehicle accident.
The fix
Dealers will replace the complete cooling fan assembly on vehicle having the potential shaft material problem. Dealers will install a new fan blade including a new lock nut on vehicle with loose fan blade lock nuts.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 95V-178 (95V178000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Component | Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan |
| Report date | September 20, 1995 |
| Owners notified | November 29, 1995 |
| Vehicles affected | 34,000 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Plus 1 other model/year combinations not covered on this site.
Owner complaints about the engine & cooling
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 95V-178 repair free?
Yes. Volkswagen dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will replace the complete cooling fan assembly on vehicle having the potential shaft material problem. Dealers will install a new fan blade including a new lock nut on vehicle with loose fan blade lock nuts.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 34,000 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.