1991 Volkswagen VANAGON: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
135,280 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 5 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 20.0% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 2; Tires: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 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 | 2 |
| 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: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 2 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 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
1995: 1; 2002: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner leads the component reports. 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 10464700 · 2012-07-09 (July 9, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 VOLKSWAGEN VANAGON. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 93V175000 (EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:AIR CONDITIONER) AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN HE DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT DETACHED FROM THE CEILING OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 189,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10464700 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10478233 · 2012-10-01 (October 1, 2012)
MY HANKOOK RA08 195R14C TIRE SIDE WALL BLEW OUT AS I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH BOUND ON I-110 AT APPROX. 65 MPH. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE EVENT WAS TO HAPPEN AS THE TIRE DID NOT SEEM DEFLATED WHEN I GET INTO THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING. I TOOK A PICTURE OF THE BLEWOUT TIRE, AND I STILL HAVE THE TIRE, AND I SUSPECT IT WAS THE CASE OF A MANUFACTURE DEFECT BASED ON THE CLEAN TEARS ON THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 135,280 miles reported. Look up ODI 10478233 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10552455 · 2013-11-15 (November 15, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 VOLKSWAGEN VANAGON (N/A) EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO RADIAL 857 TIRES, SIZE: 185/75R14C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE TREAD BECAME DETACHED, CAUSING A BLOW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TIRE SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE BELT IN THE TIRE BECAME FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE TREAD TO BECOME DETACHED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAILED TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS 7,100. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,615. …
Owner-reported narrative. 110,615 miles reported. Look up ODI 10552455 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8015936 · 2002-08-09 (August 9, 2002)
SAME AS MENTIONED IN MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 6836 AFFECTING AIR CONDITIONER:HOSE:DUCT:AIR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8015936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 966095 · 1995-05-31 (May 31, 1995)
ONLY IN HEAVY RAIN DOWN POUR THE ENGINE LOSES POWER. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 966095 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗93V175000 · Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
Reported: 1993-10-29 (October 29, 1993)
THE PLASTIC MATERIAL OF THE CENTER AIR FLOW DUCT, WHICH IS FASTENED BY TWO MOUNTING SCREWS TO THE CEILING OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, CAN CRACK AND EVENTUALLY BREAK.
Consequence: IF THE PLASTIC BREAKS WHERE IT IS HELD AT THE TWOMOUNTING SCREWS, THE CENTER AIR FLOW DUCT CAN SEPARATE FROM ITS SUPPORTS ANDCAUSE INJURY TO THE PASSENGERS SITTING IN THE CENTER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT PLATE AT THE CONNECTIONS OF BOTH THE CENTER AND REAR AIR FLOW DUCTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗