Total Complaints
30 filings
Volkswagen Passat · model year
1991 Volkswagen Passat
30 NHTSA complaints. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
- Complaints
- 30
- Recalls
- 0
The verdict
The 1991 Volkswagen Passat posts top-quartile complaint standing among its own model-year siblings.
- Top 15%
- fewest complaints, own model years
- 0
- recall campaigns
The 1991VolkswagenPassat carries 30 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 1991 Passat is visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:windshield:electrical heating element with 3 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (3) and fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system (3). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.
NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 1991 Passat, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
30
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
1991 Volkswagen Passat
PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.
NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 3 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | 3 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20030828ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
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.
Mileage: 180,995
20030121ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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
20001114FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION 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. *AK FUMES POSSIBLY COULD HAVE IGNITED WHEN STOPPING AND COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS. *YH
20000623ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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 SPOKE1@LOOK.CA OR CALL ME AT 403-212-1034 THANK YOU LEN.*AK
20000522POWER TRAIN
ODOMETER MILLAGE IS TURNED BACK. YH
20000515POWER TRAIN
ODOMETER MILLAGE IS TURNED BACK. YH
20000418FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING, VEHCLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BURNED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
20000321ENGINE AND 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. *AK
20000321FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
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
19990407FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
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
19990405FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE REGULATOR MOUNTED ON FUEL DISTRIBUTOR STRUCTURALLY FAILED. COMPOSITE BODY DELAMINATED FROM BRASS CORE, CAUSING STEADY FUEL LEAK WHENEVER IGNITION KEY IS ON AND ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP IS POWERED. LEAKING GASOLINE DROPS DIRECTLY ON THE ELECTRIC CLUTCH ON THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. THIS IS A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD, ESPECIALLY IF THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS TURNED ON. AN ELECTRIC SPARK OR THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE ELECTRIC COMPRESSOR CLUTCH COULD IGNITE THE LEAKING GASOLINE. *AK
19990217FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
THE FUEL PUMP SITS IN A PLASTIC CONTAINER AND THE CONTAINER CRACKED, SUSPECTS THAT IT WAS CAUSED FROM VIBRATION. HOWEVER THE FUEL LEAKS OUT AND LEAKS APPROXIMATELY SIX INCHES FROM THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL. THIS PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF SOMEONE WALKS BY WITH A CIGARETTE OR MATCH, THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWO TIMES, DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
19990112SEAT BELTS
THE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT CONTROL MODULE WILL DRAIN THE CARS BATTERY IN A MATTER OF HOURS. TO USE THE CAR THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MUST BE DISABLED. IT IS UNCLEAR IF THE BELTS EVEN WORK MANUALLY UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. *AK
19981117VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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.
19981005ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING BELT BROKE CAUSING DAMAGE TO VALVES ON TWO OCCASIONS.
19981005EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER CONTROLS FAILED THREE TIMES, A/C FAN FAILED.
19980611SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, SUDDENLY THE ABS LIGHT SENSOR CAME ON AND VEHICLE LOST BRAKES FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS. ABS SENOR LIGHT WENT OUT, AND ABS SYSTEM RESTORED BRAKES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
19980608SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER CYLINDER HAS AN INTERNAL HYDRAULIC LEAK WHICH MAY LEAD TO A BRAKE FAILURE.
19980605SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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. *AK
19980418VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
INTERIOR HEATING CORE BROKE, CAUSING SMOKE TO FILL THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, HEATER FAN MOTOR SWITCH FAILED.
Compare 1991VolkswagenPassat to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA24004Engineering AnalysisOpen
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
RQ24010Recall QueryClosed
Inadvertent Door Opening
RQ23007Recall QueryClosed
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
PE23017Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
EQ22001EQClosed
LGES High Voltage Battery Failures
Vehicle Safety Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1991 Volkswagen Passat have?▼
The 1991 Volkswagen Passat has 30 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Volkswagen Passat?▼
The most-complained component for the 1991 Volkswagen Passat is VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
Is the 1991 Volkswagen Passat safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 1991 Volkswagen Passat; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.