RoadVitals

1991 Volkswagen Passat

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
24
Latest Aug 28, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Sep 15, 1992
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 24 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Volkswagen Passat, most frequently naming the engine, visibility and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 14 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine621.4%
  • Visibility621.4%
  • Fuel system517.9%
  • Brakes310.7%
  • Seat belts310.7%
  • Electrical27.1%
  • Powertrain (other)13.6%
  • Transmission13.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
92V131000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Sep 15, 1992
12,650 units potentially affected
The defect: THE VENTURI TUBE LOCATED IN THE THROTTLE VALVE HOUSING CAN BECOME LOOSE AND FALL AGAINST THE THROTTLE PLATE.
The risk: 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.
The remedy: REPLACE THE PRESS-FIT VENTURI TUBE WITH A THREAD TYPE TUBE.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 24
Engine
Filed Aug 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.

NHTSA ID
10036771
Incident
Aug 22, 2003
Mileage
180,995 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 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

NHTSA ID
10004320
Incident
Jan 9, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Nov 14, 2000

FUEL INJECTIN SYSTEM: ACCUMULATOR ( DELIVERY SYSTEM) WAS LEAKING GAS TO POINT IT WAS POURING OUT. GAS FUMES WERE STRONG FROM IN & OUTSIDE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO MOTOR GARAGE WHICH HAD SEEN A COMMON PROBLEM POSSIBLY DUE TO ROAD SALT ON STREET ADDED TO CORROSION. *AK FUMES POSSIBLY COULD HAVE IGNITED WHEN STOPPING AND COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS. *YH

NHTSA ID
874912
Incident
Jul 25, 2000
Engine
Filed Jun 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 protected] OR CALL ME AT 403-212-1034 THANK YOU LEN.*AK

NHTSA ID
723561
Incident
Jul 5, 1999
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 3, 2000

ODOMETER MILLAGE IS TURNED BACK. YH

NHTSA ID
552058
Engine
Filed Apr 18, 2000
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING, VEHCLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BURNED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
860488
Incident
Apr 6, 2000
EngineFuel system
Filed Mar 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

NHTSA ID
720421
Incident
Oct 1, 1999
Fuel system
Filed Apr 7, 1999

HAD SMELLED GAS FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE. DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS LEAKING ONTO THE AIR CONDITIONER CLUTCH, WHICH WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE REGULATOR BODY (PLASTIC) HAD DELAMINATED FROM THE BRASS CORE AND WA SLEAKING HEAVILY. *AK

NHTSA ID
836576
Incident
Mar 29, 1999

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SM 33-2019

EQUIPMENT

The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.

SM 44-2017 EN

EQUIPMENT

This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.

VHW-17-11

EQUIPMENT

VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide

1-2017 Update

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests.

V691601 2010479

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Update model year applicability to include 2017.

Airbag

AIR BAGS

Airbag Issues.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Passat by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025000—
2024000—
2023000—
2022110043.3
2021181050.0
2020153052.1
2019121030.5
2018454060.4
20171097057.0
20161065053.0
20152437053.4
201459310359.4
20137489360.1
201248311360.1
2011160253.8
20101634354.9
20091464157.8
20081684047.4
20072627152.9
20065767153.3
20051484361.4
20042794362.2
20036347667.2
20026364963.1
20014304760.2
20005075762.0
19996646858.6
19983315658.1
1997701245.7
19961421448.2
1995931246.2
1994251243.2
1993683364.3
1992391042.3
1991Viewing241037.0
1990342050.1
1989010—
1988010—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.