Owners have filed 30 complaints
about the 1991 Volkswagen Passat with NHTSA between 1995 and 2003.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1991 Volkswagen Passat
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
723.3%
Engine & Cooling
620.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 180,995 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
516.7%
Seat Belts
310.0%
Brakes
310.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
310.0%
Electrical System
26.7%
Equipment & Accessories
13.3%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
1991 Volkswagen Passat 4-DR.
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When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 1995peak 3Aug 2003
Recalls on the 1991 Volkswagen Passat
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20022393,900 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles equipped with seat heating units, the front seat back heaters may supply concentrated heat in a localized area of the seat back or produce excessive heat that could not be reduced by operating the seat heater controls except by switching off the controls completely. The concentrated heat could singe the fabric at the lower backrest and, in some instances, injure the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will affect repairs.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Molina Acres, MOFire
ENGINE 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.
NHTSA complaint #860488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 180,995 milesEAU Claire, WI
ENGINE 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.
NHTSA complaint #10036771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bedford, MA
ELECTRICAL 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
NHTSA complaint #10004320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, WI
FUEL 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.
NHTSA complaint #874912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Calgary Alberta, AL
ENGINE 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.
NHTSA complaint #723561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelph, PA
POWER TRAIN
ODOMETER MILLAGE IS TURNED BACK. YH
NHTSA complaint #552058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelph, PA
POWER TRAIN
ODOMETER MILLAGE IS TURNED BACK. YH
NHTSA complaint #552058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Molina Acres, MOFire
ENGINE 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.
NHTSA complaint #860488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Irwin, PA
FUEL 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.
NHTSA complaint #720421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Irwin, PA
ENGINE 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.
NHTSA complaint #720421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuequerque, NM
FUEL 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.
NHTSA complaint #836576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuquerque, NM
FUEL 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.
NHTSA complaint #705293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Syracuse, NY
FUEL 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.
NHTSA complaint #824809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aurora, CO
SEAT 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.
NHTSA complaint #701342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
VISIBILITY: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.
NHTSA complaint #700682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ventura, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING BELT BROKE CAUSING DAMAGE TO VALVES ON TWO OCCASIONS.
NHTSA complaint #539513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ventura, CA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER CONTROLS FAILED THREE TIMES, A/C FAN FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #539513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilmington, NC
SERVICE 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.
NHTSA complaint #824198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilmington, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER CYLINDER HAS AN INTERNAL HYDRAULIC LEAK WHICH MAY LEAD TO A BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #536716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilmington, NC
SERVICE 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.
NHTSA complaint #824019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.