VehicleVerdict

1991 Volkswagen Golf problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 1991 Volkswagen Golf — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

11

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Golf years?

Golf NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted183 complaints1985: 15 complaints1986: 20 complaints1987: 4 complaints1988: 9 complaints1989: 41 complaints1990: 10 complaints1991: 11 complaints1992: 6 complaints1993: 11 complaints1994: 57 complaints1995: 84 complaints1996: 74 complaints1997: 25 complaints1998: 28 complaints1999: 76 complaints2000: 118 complaints2001: 152 complaints2002: 98 complaints2003: 33 complaints2004: 33 complaints2005: 27 complaints2006: 16 complaints2007: 2 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 5 complaints2010: 97 complaints2011: 151 complaints2012: 68 complaints2013: 67 complaints2014: 14 complaints2015: 183 complaints2016: 115 complaints2017: 145 complaints2018: 38 complaints2019: 88 complaints2020: 8 complaints2021: 11 complaints2022: 132 complaints2023: 22 complaints
Golf NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Golf years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Volkswagen Golf problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers436%
Electrical System327%
Engine19%
Fuel System19%
Speed Control19%
Body & Structure19%

Does the 1991 Volkswagen Golf have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E018000BrakesMarch 1, 2006 · 266 units

Defect

CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, P/N 171.611.107B, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1975-1985 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RABBIT; 1985-1992 VW GOLF; AND 1980-1992 VW JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD OCCUR WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES."

Consequence

BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE BRAKE HOSES WITH COMPLIANT BRAKE HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS AT 305-885-8646 EXT. 11.

93V129000BrakesAugust 2, 1993 · 76,000 units

Defect

AN ENGINE PREHEATING TUBE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SUPPORTED DUE TO A MISSING SUPPORT BRACKET, CAUSING THE PREHEATING TUBE TO CHAFE AGAINST THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE. THIS CAN DAMAGE THE HYDRAULIC LINE, CAUSING BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE AND DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT.

Consequence

DIMINISHED BRAKING CAN RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PREHEATING TUBE SUPPORT BRACKET TO ENSURE PROPER POSITIONING RELATIVE TO THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE.

92V058000Fuel SystemApril 14, 1992 · 358,000 units

Defect

THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL ON THE ENGINE MAY SHRINK BEYOND THE CLAMP FORCE OF THE FUEL HOSE CLAMPS, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy

REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TOP SECTION OF HEATER CORE CRACKED OPEN WHILE ENGINE AT IDLE SPEED ALLOWING VERY HOT COOLANT TO ENTER THE COCKPIT DRIVER AND PASS. SIDE AT THE FOOT LEVEL. AFTER EMAILING OTHER VW OWNERS GOLF, JETTA, GTI, PASSAT THEY HAVE REPORTED SAME PROBLEMS DUE TO FACT THAT VWOA USES THE SAME PART ON THESE CARS.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 31, 2000

“WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY THE FRONT BUMPER FELL OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THE BUMPER IS BEING HELD ON BY BUNGEE CORDS AT THIS TIME. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 14, 1998

“WHILE DRIVING IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER THE ACCELERATOR STUCK OPEN. ( IN RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I FOUND VOLKSWAGEN RECALLED CARS IN CANADA FOR THIS PROBLEM. RECALL TR (CANADA ONLY). ) THIS HAPPENED THIS WINTER -- BELOW 10*F . IT IS AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN TRAFFIC. I HAD TO PULL OFF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 14, 2002

1991 Volkswagen Golf — common questions

Is the 1991 Volkswagen Golf reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1991 Golf problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (4 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints), fuel system (1 complaints).

Does the 1991 Volkswagen Golf have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Volkswagen Golf. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Volkswagen Golf under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen Golf years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Golf years to avoid are 2015, 2001, 2011, 2017, 2022, 2000, 2016, 2002, 2010, 2019, 1995, 1999, 1996, 2012, 2013, 1994, 2014. The cleanest record among Golf years belongs to 2008.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.