1991 Volkswagen Passat Problems
- Complaints
- 24filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 180,995miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 18 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Volkswagen Passat (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 1991 Volkswagen Passat. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 6 complaints (25% of the total), followed by visibility (6) and fuel system (5). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 180,995 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 12 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling6 25%
- Fuel system5 21%
- Brakes3 13%
- Seat belts3 13%
- Electrical system2 8.3%
- Equipment1 4.2%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #720421, filed 2000-03Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The power windows in the 1991 Passat suddenly died. There is still electrical power to the mechanism inside the door, but the track/guide or whatever makes the window slide up smoothly is broken. Currently they are stuck in the up,sealed position because if they go down, they dont go back up completely. The car has sustained some water damage from when they could not be put up.”
NHTSA complaint #700682, filed 1998-11Fuel system: “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. Fumes possibly could have ignited when stopping and could have been dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #874912, filed 2000-11Brakes: “Consumer drove on highway during normal road conditions in stop and go traffic. Suddenly ABS sensor light came on. Cosumer lost brakes. Three hours later, the sensor light went out again and brakes returned. After 6 month similar condition reoccurred. Dealer notified.”
NHTSA complaint #824019, filed 1998-06Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 180,995 and 180,995 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1991 Volkswagen Passat. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passat · sedan | not rated | 2 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1991 Volkswagen Passat version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passat FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Passat FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Passat Wagon FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Passat Wagon FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 92V131000Sep 15, 1992Vehicle speed controlCovers: Volkswagen Passat 1990–1992, GTI 1990–1992, Jetta 1991–1992 +1 more
The venturi tube located in the throttle valve housing can become loose and fall against the throttle plate.
Recall details for the 1991 Volkswagen Passat → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 12 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10159010Mar 27, 2019Equipment. The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10155644Jun 28, 2017Equipment. This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
- 10157383Jun 22, 2017Equipment. VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide
- 10128055Feb 1, 2017Equipment. This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests.
- 10126785Oct 31, 2016Equipment. Update model year applicability to include 2017.
- 10213836Jan 22, 2016Air bags. Airbag Issues.
- 10128105Jun 29, 2015Equipment. This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, technical bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, updates, and…
- 10128104Jun 22, 2015Equipment. This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, ElsaPro infomedia icons grayed out, workshop equipment tool storage application, technical…
- 10124454Aug 1, 2014Electrical system. Assembly Instructions: Installation of original remote start feature accessory, Volkswagen Passat.
- 10125762Jul 17, 2013Equipment. Passat Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections: A checklist to insure a customer receives a wonderful delivery of a vehicle that looks, feels, and meets the…
Other model years of the Volkswagen Passat
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 13 | 90 | 0 | 4 | 28 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 20 | 27,232 | 1 | 4–5 | 28 | — | Rising |
| 2020 | 18 | 4,500 | 3 | 5 | 27 | — | Rising |
| 2019 | 12 | 3,500 | 1 | 5 | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 46 | 35,000 | 4 | 5 | 29 | 20 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2017 | 110 | 32,000 | 7 | 5 | 27 | 54 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 106 | 34,000 | 5 | 5 | 29 | 45 · Typical | Stable |
| 2015 | 243 | 47,386 | 7 | 5 | 28 | 77 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 594 | 49,220 | 10 | 5 | 26 | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2013 | 749 | 51,000 | 9 | 5 | 25 | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2012 | 484 | 58,000 | 11 | 5 | 25 | 98 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 16 | 85,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2010 | 163 | 71,000 | 4 | — | 25 | 38 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 146 | 79,826 | 4 | — | 23 | 36 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 168 | 90,000 | 4 | — | 22 | 25 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 262 | 71,000 | 7 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 576 | 64,000 | 7 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 148 | 71,000 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 279 | 69,800 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 628 | 59,000 | 6 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 636 | 48,973 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 430 | 60,000 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 507 | 69,250 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 664 | 75,000 | 5 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 331 | 80,000 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 37 | 100,300 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 40 | 84,200 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 93 | 130,853 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 25 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 68 | 107,387 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 39 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 24 | 180,995 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 34 | 146,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Volkswagen Passat model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1991 Volkswagen Passat have?
NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 1991 Volkswagen Passat as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Volkswagen Passat is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 6 complaints (25% of the total), followed by visibility with 6.
Has the 1991 Volkswagen Passat been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1991 Volkswagen Passat get?
The EPA rates the 1991 Volkswagen Passat (Passat, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1991 Volkswagen Passat reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 180,995 miles and the middle half falls between 180,995 and 180,995 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.