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1991 Volkswagen JETTA: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

24 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

117,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 24 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior312.5%
Steering behavior312.5%
Electrical and battery issues14.2%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
3
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core
3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
2
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
2
Vehicle Speed Control
2
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator3
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System2
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch1
Engine And Engine Cooling1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine1

Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 3; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
3
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9992
100,000 to 149,9993
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 17 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995
5
1996
3
2000
3
2001
2
2002
2
2003
1
2005
1
2006
1
2007
1
2008
1
2009
1
2013
1
2017
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19955
19963
20003
20012
20022
20031
20051
20061
20071
20081
20091
20131
20172

1995: 5; 1996: 3; 2000: 3; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2013: 1; 2017: 2

Pattern summary

Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10006906 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)

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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006906 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10139701 · 2005-10-14 (October 14, 2005)

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 …

Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10139701 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10162641 · 2006-07-11 (July 11, 2006)

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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10162641 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10188302 · 2007-04-19 (April 19, 2007)

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-reported narrative. 117,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10188302 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10234859 · 2008-07-18 (July 18, 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-reported narrative. 147,980 miles reported. Look up ODI 10234859 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10257764 · 2009-02-06 (February 6, 2009)

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-reported narrative. 81,565 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257764 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10499955 · 2013-02-25 (February 25, 2013)

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-reported narrative. 94,363 miles reported. Look up ODI 10499955 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10991149 · 2017-05-23 (May 23, 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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10991149 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

90V173000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 1990-09-25 (September 25, 1990)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
91V064000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages

Reported: 1991-04-15 (April 15, 1991)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
92V058000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 1992-04-14 (April 14, 1992)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
92V131000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Reported: 1992-09-15 (September 15, 1992)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
93V129000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 1993-08-02 (August 2, 1993)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗