1991 Volkswagen Jetta Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 16%of 31 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,782miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta, 16% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,782 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10257764, filed 2009-02, 81,565 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10139701, filed 2005-10, 160,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10026848Aug 28, 2008Volkswagen: exhaust heat shield, replacement guidelines. Heat shields are to be inspected after completion o any type of repair to the underbody (exhaust system transmission…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 6 | 2% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 8 | 2% |
| 2011 | 25 | 4% |
| 2010 | 71 | 8% |
| 2009 | 72 | 8% |
| 2008 | 7 | 4% |
| 2007 | 9 | 4% |
| 2006 | 54 | 9% |
| 2005 | 41 | 17% |
| 2004 | 37 | 16% |
| 2003 | 45 | 10% |
| 2002 | 104 | 15% |
| 2001 | 109 | 16% |
| 2000 | 121 | 28% |
| 1999 | 78 | 22% |
| 1998 | 15 | 8% |
| 1997 | 11 | 20% |
| 1996 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 26 | 12% |
| 1994 | 20 | 17% |
| 1992 | 6 | 20% |
| 1991 | 5 | 16% |
| 1990 | 7 | 32% |
| 1989 | 2 | 7% |
| 1987 | 3 | 17% |
| 1985 | 2 | 15% |
Other parts of the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology