1991 Volkswagen Jetta
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1983 | 0 |
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 13 |
| 1986 | 14 |
| 1987 | 18 |
| 1988 | 19 |
| 1989 | 28 |
| 1990 | 22 |
| 1991 | 32 |
| 1992 | 30 |
| 1993 | 17 |
| 1994 | 120 |
| 1995 | 220 |
| 1996 | 173 |
| 1997 | 141 |
| 1998 | 192 |
| 1999 | 349 |
| 2000 | 439 |
| 2001 | 668 |
| 2002 | 702 |
| 2003 | 455 |
| 2004 | 231 |
| 2005 | 248 |
| 2006 | 580 |
| 2007 | 201 |
| 2008 | 188 |
| 2009 | 888 |
| 2010 | 852 |
| 2011 | 606 |
| 2012 | 499 |
| 2013 | 516 |
| 2014 | 386 |
| 2015 | 194 |
| 2016 | 161 |
| 2017 | 159 |
| 2018 | 31 |
| 2019 | 547 |
| 2020 | 52 |
| 2021 | 67 |
| 2022 | 42 |
| 2023 | 43 |
| 2024 | 43 |
| 2025 | 28 |
| 2026 | 5 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
22% of complaints: visibility — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing heater core and defroster/defogger/hvac system.
Show complaint excerpts
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
NHTSA ODI report, 20030210
19% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cables.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20170523
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. (OTHER VEHICLE ON 479567) *SKD
NHTSA ODI report, 19950413
16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cooling system and gasoline.
INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20051014
COOLANT ESCAPED INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITHOUT WARNING AND BURNED DRIVER'S FOOT AND LEG. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20010412
13% of complaints: electrical system — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and switch.
9% of complaints: structure — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing door.
Show complaint excerpts
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
NHTSA ODI report, 20021112
FRONT BUMPER DESIGNED WITH FASTENERS ONLY AT TWO POINTS, CAUSING BUMPER TO FALL OFF. *SKD
NHTSA ODI report, 19941129
SAFETY TIMELINE
FRONT BRAKE HOSES OF INSUFFICIENT LENGTH WERE INSTALLED IN SOME VEHICLES. THESE SHORT HOSES COULD STRETCH AND DEVELOP CRACKS.
Remedy: REPLACE BOTH BRAKE HOSES.
Campaign 90V173000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 91V064000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 92V058000 — check if this car was fixed
DETACHMENT OF BUMPER COVER
DETACHMENT OF BUMPER COVER
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.
Campaign 92V131000 — check if this car was fixed
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 L
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PREHEATING TUBE SUPPORT BRACKET TO ENSURE PROPER POSITIONING RELATIVE TO THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE.
Campaign 93V129000 — check if this car was fixed
REAR WHEEL SEPARATION
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
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 305-885-864
Campaign 06E018000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1991 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (5 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 90V173000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 91V064000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 92V058000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 92V131000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 93V129000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E018000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most-reported component is visibility, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.