VehicleVerdict

1991 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1991 Volkswagen Jetta is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 7 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 38 owner complaints run below the Jetta median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across visibility & wipers (7), speed control (6), and engine (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

38

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

3

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Jetta years?

Jetta NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted1,275 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 1 complaints1985: 18 complaints1986: 18 complaints1987: 21 complaints1988: 23 complaints1989: 28 complaints1990: 29 complaints1991: 38 complaints1992: 33 complaints1993: 22 complaints1994: 167 complaints1995: 338 complaints1996: 245 complaints1997: 213 complaints1998: 253 complaints1999: 488 complaints2000: 633 complaints2001: 862 complaints2002: 885 complaints2003: 553 complaints2004: 295 complaints2005: 354 complaints2006: 792 complaints2007: 280 complaints2008: 250 complaints2009: 1,275 complaints2010: 1,184 complaints2011: 880 complaints2012: 692 complaints2013: 737 complaints2014: 552 complaints2015: 284 complaints2016: 249 complaints2017: 247 complaints2018: 37 complaints2019: 782 complaints2020: 78 complaints2021: 93 complaints2022: 68 complaints2023: 64 complaints2024: 53 complaints2025: 27 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Jetta NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Jetta years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Volkswagen Jetta problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers718%
Speed Control616%
Engine513%
Electrical System411%
Seat Belts38%
Tires & Wheels25%
Transmission25%
Brakes25%
Steering25%
Body & Structure25%
Fuel System13%
Suspension13%
Latches & Locks13%

Does the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta have recalls?

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

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

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.

92V131000Speed ControlSeptember 15, 1992 · 12,650 units

Defect

THE VENTURI TUBE LOCATED IN THE THROTTLE VALVE HOUSING CAN BECOME LOOSE AND FALL AGAINST THE THROTTLE PLATE.

Consequence

THE VENTURI TUBE CAN PARTIALLY BLOCK THE THROTTLE PLATEAND PREVENT IT FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION, RESULTING IN UNWANTEDENGINE SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN A FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR.

Remedy

REPLACE THE PRESS-FIT VENTURI TUBE WITH A THREAD TYPE TUBE.

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.

91V064000Speed ControlApril 15, 1991 · 550 units

Defect

THE LOCK NUT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL ROD FOR THE OPERATING SERVO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TORQUED DURING MANUFACTURE.

Consequence

INADEQUATE TORQUE OF THE LOCK NUT COULD ALLOW THE RODADJUSTMENT TO CHANGE. THIS COULD INCREASE THE ENGINE IDLE SPEED, AND POSSIBLYINCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE WITH A POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

CHECK AND ASSURE PROPER LOCK NUT TORQUE ON THE CRUISE CONTROL ROD.

90V173000BrakesSeptember 25, 1990 · 465 units

Defect

FRONT BRAKE HOSES OF INSUFFICIENT LENGTH WERE INSTALLED IN SOME VEHICLES. THESE SHORT HOSES COULD STRETCH AND DEVELOP CRACKS.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, WITH LOSS OFFLUID PRESSURE AND BRAKING ABILITY.

Remedy

REPLACE BOTH BRAKE HOSES.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE HEATER CORE SUDDENLY RUPTURED WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH. WITHOUT WARNING, LARGE AMOUNTS OF STEAM CAME OUT OF THE DEFROSTER VENTS. WITHIN SECONDS THE WINDSHIELD AND BOTH SIDE WINDERS WERE COMPLETELY COVERED WITH A THICK FOG OF STEAM AND ANTIFREEZE. VISIBILITY WAS COMPLETELY OBSTRUCTED. RELATED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · February 18, 1997

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INDEPENDENTLY DISCONNECTED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RECONNECT THE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 22, 2017

“1991 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HEATER CORE FAILURE. COOLANT SMELL AND COOLANT LOSS DRIPPING ON CARPET BY DRIVERS FEET AND FOGS UP WINDSHIELD MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. I HAVE ACCESS TO ALLDATA AUTO REPAIR WEBSITE AND THERE IS A RECALL LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 15, 2008

“CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR 2 MONTHS IN THE DRIVEWAY. I JUST HAD EVERYTHING TUNED AND BATTERY WORKING BEFORE I PARKED IT. I STARTED IT ONCE IN BETWEEN THAT TIME AND IT WORKED. I WENT OUT THE OTHER DAY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I KNOW IT'S NOT THE STARTER. IT IS THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM WHERE THE CAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 23, 2007

“GATES 7280 BELT SPECED FOR APLICATION ALTERNATOR FOR JETTA W/AC BELT TO LONG AND TO LARGE WEARS OUT ALMOST IMEDIATLY AND DERAILES AND HAS DERAILED OTHER BELT WITH IT. IT IS TO LONG AND TO LARGE ITS CORDS ARE VISIBLE ABOVE THE THE DRIVE PULLEY!!!. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts

1991 Volkswagen Jetta — common questions

Is the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 38 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Jetta year, with 7 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1991 Jetta problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (7 complaints), speed control (6 complaints), engine (5 complaints).

Does the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen Jetta years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Jetta years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2002, 2011, 2001, 2006, 2019, 2013, 2012, 2000, 2003, 2014, 1999, 2005, 1995. The cleanest record among Jetta years belongs to 1983.

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.