The 3rd generation Vanagon runs from the 1981 to 1990 model years and ranks 15th out of 45 eligible generations in reliability with a cumulative PainRank™ of 1.12.
PainRank™ is a relative complaint analysis of the 2 complaints made by owners over at CarComplaints.com A majority of the complaints are about hvac problems.
You can compare it with other Vanagon generations.
Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.
Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.
Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.
Overall reliability rank out of 45 eligible generations.