> How do I know if my Westy 87 had all the recalls it should had?
I am the 4th
> owner and this is an american Vanagon (I am canadian).

go to www.nhtsa.gov
scroll down, and on the left side, click Recalls
make sure Vehicle is clicked on Type of Search, and click on
Search Selected Type
select 1987 as the Year, and click Submit Year
pick Volkswagen as the Make, and click Submit Make
select Vanagon as the Model, and click Submit Model
   (if you have a Vanagon Syncro, select Syncro instead)
click the checkbox for "Select this check box if you would like
to see a full summary ..."
and click on Submit Make and Model Query

that gets you 7 national recall items on your 87 bus. IF a dealer
has taken care of these recalls,
there should/would be a sticker in the door opening somewhere.
unless some unscrupulous and dreaded previous owner has removed
it.

note that there were other things wrong with the buses that did
NOT get flagged as 'recalls' ... some things, vw fixed on their
own. like the overhead a/c ducting ... was not a recall. but it
was a problem, and vw did send out letters to owners to come by
the dealer and get it fixed. i got my letter a long time after me
and the bus had parted company.

good luck!
joel