1991 Volkswagen JETTA problems and owner complaints
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.
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.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 12.5% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 12.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.2% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 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 725508 · 2000-07-16 (July 16, 2000)
VW BULLETIN 139202 I LOST ALL MY BELTS ON THE HIGHWAY AND LOST POWER STEERING CAUSE BELTS FLUNG INTO THE V NOTCH OF OTHER BELTS NO INJURIES.NO BELTS WILL LAST ON THIS VEHICLE DUE EITHER TO POOR GEOMETRY OF THE ALTERNATOR BELT OR TO MUCH HOSREPOWER DRAW FROM THE ALTERNATOR. THE ALTERNATOR BELT HAS GONE 10 TIMES IN THE 20000 MILES SINCE PURCHASE.I FELT THIS WAS A NUISANCE PROBLEM UNTIL I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND NOW I FEAR THIS CAR WILL KILL ME. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 725508 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8022595 · 2002-11-12 (November 12, 2002)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 8022595 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 ↗