Model year record

1991 Volkswagen Cabrio recalls & problems

The 1991 Volkswagen Cabrio has 3 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (5 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints7filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionMay 1, 1992

Front › Control arm

Recall 92V064000890 vehicles

Problem: THE TRACK CONTROL ARMS USED TO SUPPORT THE FRONT WHEELS WERE IMPROPERLY WELDED IN THE AREA OF THE FLEXIBLE BUSHING MOUNTING HOLE. THIS CAUSES A GRADUAL OPENING OF THE MOUNTING HOLE AND LOOSENING OF THE BUSHING.
Risk: THE ENLARGED OPENING OF THE MOUNTING HOLE RESULTS INFRONT WHEEL MISALIGNMENT CAUSING STEERING PULL WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR ANACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS WHERE NECESSARY.

Fuel system, gasolineApr 14, 1992

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 92V058000358,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Fix: REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.

Vehicle speed controlSep 11, 1991

Vehicle speed control

Recall 91V16200011,300 vehicles

Problem: THE CENTER OF THE WATER SEPARATOR PANEL LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BETWEEN ENGINE AND FIREWALL COULD BEND IN THE EVENT SOMEONE LEANS ON IT DURING ENGINE MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS OR CHECKING OF FLUID LEVELS. A BENT PANEL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE FREE MOVEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE.
Risk: INTERFERENCE WITH THE FREE MOVEMENT OF THE ACCELERATORLINKAGE COULD RESULT IN UNWANTED ACCELERATION WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: INSTALL REINFORCEMENT BRACKET TO SECURE SEPARATOR PANEL.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly	5	0	0	1	—
Fuel/propulsion system	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 (NA) VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO. WHILE FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL, THE CONTACT NOTICED LEAKS FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 91V201000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Jun 1, 2016 · 87,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIOLET (NA). THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE SEAM OF THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 91V201000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Jul 7, 2015
Fuel system, gasoline1 injury
HORRIBLE GAS SMELL COMING FROM REAR DRIVERS SIDE, CONFIRMED GAS TANK IS LEAKING AT THE SEAM. HAVE GOTTEN TERRIBLY SICK WITH STOMACH PAIN AND TERRIBLE HEADACHES FROM THE SMELL AND AFRAID VEHICLE IS GOING TO BLOW UP. *TR
Aug 10, 2008 · 80,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
1991 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIOLET FUEL TANK LEAKING FROM SPOT-WELDED SEAM. VW AGREED TO REPLACE TANK FOR FREE, BUT ONLY AFTER MANY CALLS TO THEIR PRODUCT COMPLIANCE DEPT OVER SEVERAL WEEKS. VW MECHANICS CLAIM THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT, BUT NO RECALL EXISTS.*AK
Aug 8, 2002 · 126,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
GAS STARTING LEAKING AT THE SEAM OF THE TANK. THIS CAN CAUSE THE AUTOMOBILE TO EXPLODE. *AK
Apr 15, 2000
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
SEAM SPLIT ON FUEL TANK ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK OUT. REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN 91V16200 IDENTICAL FAILURE. MFG REFUSES TO HONOR THIS VEHICLE FOR THE REFERENCED CAMPAIGN.
Aug 1, 1999
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
GAS TANK IS LEAKING AT SEAM, CAN SMELL GASOLINE COMING INTO ENGINE, FIRE HAZARD. *AK
Jun 24, 1996

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.