1991 Volkswagen Jetta Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Visibility718.9%
- Driver assistance513.5%
- Engine513.5%
- Electrical410.8%
- Seat belts38.1%
- Body & structure25.4%
- Brakes25.4%
- Steering25.4%
- Transmission25.4%
- Fuel system12.7%
- Suspension12.7%
- Tires & wheels12.7%
- Other / unspecified12.7%
- Interior & seats12.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
THE FUEL THROTTLE LINKAGE WOULD KEEP POPPING OFF. IT WAS REPLACED AT LEAST 4 DIFFERENT TIMES. EACH TIME IT HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND WOULD LAST APPROXIMATELY 3-7 DAYS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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 EXPENSIVE, AND I FEEL THAT VW AMERICA IS LIABLE TO FIX THEIR DEFECT. I HAVE TRIED GETTING HELP FROM THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL A NEW OR REVISED RECALL IS ISSUED. PLEASE HELP! MY VEHICLE VIN: [XXX]. *NM UPDATED 07/26/2012 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
GATES 7280 BELT SPECED FOR APLICATION ALTERNATOR FOR JETTA W/AC BELT TO LONG AND TO LARGE WEARS OUT ALMOST IMEDIATLY AND DERAILES AND HAS DERAILED OTHER BELT WITH IT. IT IS TO LONG AND TO LARGE ITS CORDS ARE VISIBLE ABOVE THE THE DRIVE PULLEY!!!. *AK
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
THE REAR PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE FROM THE OUTSIDE DUE TO THE METAL PART INSIDE THE DOOR BEING CRACKED, THEREFORE THE CONSUMER CANNOT OPEN THE DOORS FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
ABS BRAKES; ABS PUMP IS GENERATING TOO MUCH CURRENT BLOWING CIRCUITS/FUSES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
STEERING WHEEL LOCKUP, HIT STEERING COLUMN VERY HARD, OR TURN KEY VERY HARD. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILED.
TRANSMISSION SEAL FAILED. *SKD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
ACCELERATOR CABLE DISCONNECTED FROM THE GAS PEDAL WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON CITY STREET. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AS CAR DIED. DANGEROUS SITUATION!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
LEFT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF DUE TO WHEEL BEARING BEING COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE REPORT) *DSH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 ##
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 ##
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR DOOR LATCHES FAILED. *AW
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .