1991 Volkswagen PASSAT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
180,995 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 11 complaints (9.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 1; Fuel System, Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 10 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2003 | 2 |
1995: 3; 1996: 1; 2000: 5; 2003: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. 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 10004320 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, STARTED VIBRATING AND SHUT DOWN. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004320 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10036771 · 2003-08-28 (August 28, 2003)
BURNING HOT ANTI-FREEZE AND STEAM CLOUDED THE CABIN OF MY VW PASSAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING AN UNSAFE DRIVING SITUATION AND POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS FROM BREATHING THE HOT FUMES.
Owner-reported narrative. 180,995 miles reported. Look up ODI 10036771 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489512 · 1995-04-21 (April 21, 1995)
SHOCK OCCURS TO ANYONE TOUCHING BODY OF CAR, DUE TO POSSIBLE ELECTRIC SHORT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489512 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504028 · 1996-05-09 (May 9, 1996)
VEHICLE CAN BE PUT INTO GEAR FROM PARK WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION DUE TO LACK OF INTERLOCK SYSTEM. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504028 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 552058 · 2000-05-03 (May 3, 2000)
ODOMETER MILLAGE IS TURNED BACK. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 552058 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 720421 · 2000-03-21 (March 21, 2000)
TEMPERATURE AND GAS GAUGE WERE FIXED ON MANY OCCASIONS BY THE DEALER BUT NEVER FULLY FIXED. WORK ONLY WHEN PUSHED ON THE DASH COVER. THERE IS A SERVICE BULL ON THIS BUT PROBLEM, BUT IT DIDN'T HELP FIX IT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 720421 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 723561 · 2000-06-04 (June 4, 2000)
THE TIMMING BELT FAILED AT 152081 KM'S THIS IS IN CANADA. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD CALL YOUR SITE AND REPORT THIS PROBLEM. THE TIMING BELT IS SUPPOSE TO BE GOOD FOR 100000 KM. THE TIMING BELT ONLY LASTED FOR 52 000 KM . I REPORTED IT TO VOLKSWAGEN NORTH AMERICA BUT THEY JUST GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND. IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN DO OR I CAN DO PLEASE WRITE TO ME AT [email removed] OR CALL ME AT [phone removed] THANK YOU LEN.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 723561 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 860488 · 2000-04-18 (April 18, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING, VEHCLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BURNED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860488 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗