1991 Volkswagen Jetta: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 31 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (19% of complaints); the 1993 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Accelerator cable disconnected from the gas pedal while driving at 30 mph on city street. Pulled over to side of road as car died. Dangerous situation!”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2017
“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 were unknown. Updated 07/18/17*lj *cn”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2017
“I was driving on hw 87 in san jose ca. I was in the center lane when the left rear tire separated. A piece of the tire tread that had separated hit the parking brake cable and jammed the left rear parking brake on. This caused vehicle to spin out of control. The vehicle did a complete 180 degree turn, crossing the over the right lane and hitting the right roadside barrier. The tire was made by general tire 175/70/13 and had about 75% of the tread left. *tr ## VIN failed ## 81 vw pickup ##”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“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 doesn't apply to my car. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 volkswagen jetta. Ever since the vehicle was purchased, the contact has had to replace the brakes, calipers, master cylinder, and brake booster. While driving 10 mph, she would have to place the vehicle into neutral and engage the emergency brake in order to stop the vehicle. The mechanic stated that brake line was faulty. The contact is constantly changing or repairing some parts of the brakes. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 147,980.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 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 won't start unless the seat belt is connected. The car still won't start so I am upset. Please make this work out for me. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2007
“The heater core failed, which caused the vehicle to have no heat.*jb and antifreeze fumes are seeping into vehicle making it difficult to drive vehicle for any period of time. *tt”Owner report · Visibility · Feb 2003
“While driving 55 mph vehicle filled with smoke. Heater core had ruptured, causing steam and anti-freeze to escape into passenger's compartment. Dealer contacted. Please give any further details.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2002
“The vehicle lacked a protective shield for the steering components which caused them to become wet during rainy weather and as a result the steering became impaired. The dealer has been notified. *mr *nlm”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2001
“Vw bulletin 139202 I lost all my belts on the highway and lost power steering cause belts flung into the v notch of other belts no injuries.no belts will last on this vehicle due either to poor geometry of the alternator belt or to much hosrepower draw from the alternator. The alternator belt has gone 10 times in the 20000 miles since purchase.I felt this was a nuisance problem until I lost my power steering and now I fear this car will kill me. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
THE VENTURI TUBE LOCATED IN THE THROTTLE VALVE HOUSING CAN BECOME LOOSE AND FALL AGAINST THE THROTTLE PLATE.
Remedy: REPLACE THE PRESS-FIT VENTURI TUBE WITH A THREAD TYPE TUBE.
FRONT BRAKE HOSES OF INSUFFICIENT LENGTH WERE INSTALLED IN SOME VEHICLES. THESE SHORT HOSES COULD STRETCH AND DEVELOP CRACKS.
Remedy: REPLACE BOTH BRAKE HOSES.
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."
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PREHEATING TUBE SUPPORT BRACKET TO ENSURE PROPER POSITIONING RELATIVE TO THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.
THE LOCK NUT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL ROD FOR THE OPERATING SERVO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TORQUED DURING MANUFACTURE.
Remedy: CHECK AND ASSURE PROPER LOCK NUT TORQUE ON THE CRUISE CONTROL ROD.
How other years compare
Check your exact Jetta by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
NHTSA has 31 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta. The most complained-about area is visibility (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1991 Volkswagen Jetta problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 117,000 miles or less.
Does the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.