1991 Volkswagen Vanagon Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 135,280miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 17 mpgcombined, 2.1L 4-cyl RWD · 16 city / 18 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and equipment (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 135,280 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 9 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 cooling3 33%
- Electrical system2 22%
- Equipment2 22%
- Tires2 22%
Example complaints
Equipment: “The contact owns a 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 93v175000 (equipment:electrical:air conditioner) and was repaired. After the repair the contact was driving approximately 35 MPH when he drove over a bump in the road and the air conditioning unit detached from the ceiling of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 189,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10464700, filed 2012-07, 189,000 milesTires: “My hankook ra08 195r14c tire side wall blew out as I was traveling south bound on I-110 at approx. 65 MPH. There was no indication that the event was to happen as the tire did not seem deflated when I get into the vehicle in the morning. I took a picture of the blewout tire, and I still have the tire, and I suspect it was the case of a manufacture defect based on the clean tears on the side wall of the tire.”
NHTSA complaint #10478233, filed 2012-10, 135,280 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 110,615 and 189,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanagon Syncro 4WD | 2.1L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 14 | 15 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Vanagon/Camper 2WD | 2.1L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 16 | 18 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Vanagon/Camper 2WD | 2.1L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 15 | 16 | 15 | $4,450 |
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
- 93V175000Oct 29, 1993Equipment › Appliance › Air conditionerCovers: Volkswagen Vanagon 1986–1991
The plastic material of the center air flow duct, which is fastened by two mounting screws to the ceiling of the passenger compartment, can crack and eventually break.
- 92V058000Apr 14, 1992Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Volkswagen Vanagon 1990–1991, Jetta 1988–1992, Golf 1988–1992 +5 more
The fuel hose attached to the fuel distribution rail on the engine may shrink beyond the clamp force of the fuel hose clamps, allowing fuel to leak.
Recall details for the 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE93043Overhead a/c separationClosed · May 5, 1993
- EA91026Sliding door latch failureClosed · Jun 4, 1991
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. 9 on record; the latest 9 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…
- 10026848Aug 28, 2008Engine cooling, Body and structure. Volkswagen: exhaust heat shield, replacement guidelines. Heat shields are to be inspected after completion o any type of repair to the underbody (exhaust system transmission, etc.), and if damaged…
Other model years of the Volkswagen Vanagon
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 9 | 135,280 | 2 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 13 | — | 2 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 13 | 68,000 | 7 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 8 | 175,000 | 4 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
All Volkswagen Vanagon model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon get?
The EPA rates the 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon (Vanagon/Camper 2WD, 2.1L 4-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 16 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 135,280 miles and the middle half falls between 110,615 and 189,000 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. 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.