VolkswagenScirocco1983Overview/volkswagen/scirocco/1983/base/

1983 Volkswagen Scirocco

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1983 Scirocco.

This reference overview frames the 1983 Volkswagen Scirocco through its specific lubrication requirements, identifying an engine oil capacity of 4.3 qt. Maintenance protocols for the vehicle dictate the use of 2W-40, 20W-50, or 15W-40 API SL viscosity grades to support the engine's operation. These concrete fluid specifications serve as the primary technical data points for researchers examining this model year's service needs. This establishes a definitive maintenance baseline that relies on verified specifications rather than broader historical generalizations.

Model year198919881987198619851984198319821981

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type2W-40 / 20W-50 / 15W-40 API SLOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length165.7 in
Overall width63.8 in
Overall height51.6 in
Wheelbase94.5 in
Curb weight2163 lb
Track (front / rear)54.7 / 53.5 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

10.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.70 sec — 1983 Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1983Coupe 1.8L I-410.70 sec17.80 sec74 hpFWD
198616v Coupe 1.8L I-47.70 sec16.10 sec123 hpFWD
198616v Coupe 1.8L I-48.00 sec15.90 sec123 hpFWD
198616v Coupe 1.8L I-48.50 sec16.50 sec123 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.3 qt of 2W-40 / 20W-50 / 15W-40 API SL engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine OilAPI · 2W-40 · 20W-50 · 15W-40 · 15W-50
Engine Oil Capacity4.3 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Reliability & federal safety record

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

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
01012001-06-12SeatsSUBJECT 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 Scirocco. 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1983 Scirocco take?

4.3 qt of 68 degrees F TO 104 degrees F 40 API SL OR GREATER, 32 degrees F TO 86 degrees F: 30 API SL OR GREATER, 14 degrees F TO 86 degrees F: 2W-40 OR 20W-50 API SL OR GREATER, 5 degrees F TO 86 degrees F 15W-40 OR 15W-50 API SL OR GREATER, -4 degrees F T, per the factory manual.

Does the 1983 Scirocco have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.