1991 Volkswagen Jetta Problems and Recalls (31 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta is Glass / wipers / cameras (19% of 31 owner reports). There are 7 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Glass / wipers / cameras — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 31 complaints · 7 recalls

What problems show up on the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta?

6 of 31 filings named Glass / wipers / cameras (19% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Engine (5 reports).

There are 7 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Brakes, Cruise / speed control, and Fuel system. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 1990 has 22 reports on file; this year has 31. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 1991 Volkswagen Jetta

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 7 campaigns on file below.
  2. Glass / wipers / cameras. Check windshield, wipers and any camera or sensor the listing claims is there.
  3. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  4. Cruise / speed control. Test cruise control and ask about unintended-acceleration reports on this year.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Glass / wipers / cameras. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Glass / wipers / cameras 6 complaints · 19.4% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 2
  • Fires 0
  • Injuries 2
  • Deaths 0
Compare with 1990 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) appears in 6 of 31 owner complaints (19.4%) in this vehicle snapshot. Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 6 complaints, 19.4% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 6 · 19.4% Engine (ENGINE): 5 complaints, 16.1% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 5 · 16.1% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 5 complaints, 16.1% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 5 · 16.1% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 3 complaints, 9.7% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 3 · 9.7% Seat belts (SEAT BELTS): 2 complaints, 6.5% of reports Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 2 · 6.5% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 2 complaints, 6.5% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 2 · 6.5% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 2 complaints, 6.5% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 2 · 6.5% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 1 complaints, 3.2% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 1 · 3.2% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 1 complaints, 3.2% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 · 3.2% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 21 complaints, 67.7% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 1 crash reports 21 · 67.7% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 6 19.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 5 16.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 5 16.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 3 9.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 2 6.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 2 6.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 2 6.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 1 3.2% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 3.2% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 21 67.7% 1 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jan 1995; the first recall shown was reported in Sep 1990. 1995-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 1995-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 1995-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 1996-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 1996-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 1996-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 1996-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 1997-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 1997-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 1998-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 1998-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 1999-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2000-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2000-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2001-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2002-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2002-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2003-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 Owner reports Sep 1990 Apr 2017 Recall campaign 90V173000 ◆ Recall campaign 90V173000 Recall campaign 91V064000 ◆ Recall campaign 91V064000 Recall campaign 92V058000 ◆ Recall campaign 92V058000 Recall campaign 92V131000 ◆ Recall campaign 92V131000 Recall campaign 93V129000 ◆ Recall campaign 93V129000 Recall campaign 06E018000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E018000 Recall campaign 09E012000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E012000 Investigation PE92089 ● Investigation PE92089 Investigation EA93008 ● Investigation EA93008 Investigation PE94068 ● Investigation PE94068
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
1995-Q1 Owner reports 1
1995-Q2 Owner reports 3
1995-Q3 Owner reports 1
1996-Q1 Owner reports 1
1996-Q2 Owner reports 1
1996-Q3 Owner reports 1
1996-Q4 Owner reports 1
1997-Q1 Owner reports 2
1997-Q4 Owner reports 1
1998-Q2 Owner reports 1
1998-Q3 Owner reports 1
1999-Q1 Owner reports 1
2000-Q2 Owner reports 1
2000-Q3 Owner reports 2
2001-Q2 Owner reports 2
2002-Q1 Owner reports 1
2002-Q4 Owner reports 1
2003-Q1 Owner reports 1
2005-Q4 Owner reports 1
2006-Q3 Owner reports 1
2007-Q2 Owner reports 1
2008-Q3 Owner reports 1
2009-Q1 Owner reports 1
2013-Q1 Owner reports 1
2017-Q2 Owner reports 2
Recall campaign 1 90V173000
Recall campaign 1 91V064000
Recall campaign 1 92V058000
Recall campaign 1 92V131000
Recall campaign 1 93V129000
Recall campaign 1 06E018000
Recall campaign 1 09E012000
Defect investigation 1 PE92089
Defect investigation 1 EA93008
Defect investigation 1 PE94068
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (7)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Brakes, Cruise / speed control, and Fuel system.

  1. Recall campaign 06E018000

    Safety recall 06E018000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 09E012000

    Safety recall 09E012000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 90V173000

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    Consequence:
    THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, WITH LOSS OFFLUID PRESSURE AND BRAKING ABILITY.
    Remedy:
    REPLACE BOTH BRAKE HOSES.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 91V064000

    Cruise / speed control

    Report date
    Component:
    Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 92V058000

    Fuel system

    Report date
    Component:
    Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Recall campaign 92V131000

    Safety recall 92V131000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Recall campaign 93V129000

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 31 complaints · page 1 of 2
2017-06-06Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 10993504
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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!
2017-05-23Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10991149
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2013-02-25TIRES
NHTSA ODI 10499955
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 ##
2009-02-06Engine (ENGINE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10257764
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2008-07-18Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10234859
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2007-04-19Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10188302
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2006-07-11Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 10162641
CrashFireInjuryDeath
1991 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HAD MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE GENERATOR AND BELT, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *KB THE CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM FIXED AT A LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND NO MORE PROBLEMS HAVE DEVELOPED. *JB
2005-10-14Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 10139701
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THE HEATER CORE CONNECTION LINES IN MY JETTA FAILED, AND MY SISTER WAS BURNED MILDLY WHEN THE HOT COOLANT LEAKED DOWN ONTO HER FEET, ABOVE THE GAS PEDAL. THERE IS A RECALL ALREADY FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT MY VEHICLE MANUFACTURE DATE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL ( RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 92V050000 ). THIS RECALL SHOULD BE RE-ISSUED TO INCLUDE ALL 1991 MODELS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED IN 1990, BECAUSE THE DESIGN DID NOT CHANGE AFTER THE LAST MANUFACTURE DATE ALLOWED FOR RECALL. I DO NOT PLAN ON PAYING TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE, IT IS EXPENSIVE, AND I FEEL THAT VW AMERICA IS LIABLE TO FIX THEIR DEFECT. I HAVE TRIED GETTING HELP FROM THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL A NEW OR REVISED RECALL IS ISSUED. PLEASE HELP! MY VEHICLE VIN: [XXX]. *NM UPDATED 07/26/2012 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2003-02-10Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10006906
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2002-11-12Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
NHTSA ODI 8022595
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta?

Owners named Glass / wipers / cameras most often — 6 of 31 reports (19%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta?

NHTSA lists 7 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Brakes, Cruise / speed control, and Fuel system. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 1991 Volkswagen Jetta?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Check windshield, wipers and any camera or sensor the listing claims is there. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources