Model year record

1991 Volkswagen Golf recalls & problems

The 1991 Volkswagen Golf has 3 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is visibility (4 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints8filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicMar 1, 2006

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 06E018000266 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, P/N 171.611.107B, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1975-1985 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RABBIT; 1985-1992 VW GOLF; AND 1980-1992 VW JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD OCCUR WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
Risk: BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE BRAKE HOSES WITH COMPLIANT BRAKE HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS AT 305-885-8646 EXT. 11.

Service brakes, hydraulicAug 2, 1993

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 93V12900076,000 vehicles

Problem: AN ENGINE PREHEATING TUBE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SUPPORTED DUE TO A MISSING SUPPORT BRACKET, CAUSING THE PREHEATING TUBE TO CHAFE AGAINST THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE. THIS CAN DAMAGE THE HYDRAULIC LINE, CAUSING BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE AND DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT.
Risk: DIMINISHED BRAKING CAN RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PREHEATING TUBE SUPPORT BRACKET TO ENSURE PROPER POSITIONING RELATIVE TO THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE.

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.

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	Injuries	Typical mileage*
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core; Windshield wiper/washer › Switch/wiring	4	0	2	—
Electrical systemIgnition; Starter assembly	3	1	1	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys	1	0	0	—
StructureBody › Bumpers	1	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	1	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Vehicle speed control
WHILE DRIVING IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER THE ACCELERATOR STUCK OPEN. ( IN RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I FOUND VOLKSWAGEN RECALLED CARS IN CANADA FOR THIS PROBLEM. RECALL TR (CANADA ONLY). ) THIS HAPPENED THIS WINTER -- BELOW 10*F . IT IS AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN TRAFFIC. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND TURN THE CAR OFF -- PUSHING THE CLUTCH IN CAUSED HIGH REV'S. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IDLE WHEN IT WAS BELOW 20*F PUSHING THE CLUTCH IN AT A STOP LIGH WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO QUIT. REPLACING THE IDLE STABILIZER VALVE HELPED THIS ISSUE -- AFTER THE ISV I REMOVED FROM THE CAR SAT INSIDE FOR SEVERAL DAYS I PICKED IT UP TO MOVE IT AND A CLEAR LIQUID RAN OUT WHICH LOOKED A LOT…
Feb 14, 2002
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core1 injury
TOP SECTION OF HEATER CORE CRACKED OPEN WHILE ENGINE AT IDLE SPEED ALLOWING VERY HOT COOLANT TO ENTER THE COCKPIT DRIVER AND PASS. SIDE AT THE FOOT LEVEL. AFTER EMAILING OTHER VW OWNERS GOLF, JETTA, GTI, PASSAT THEY HAVE REPORTED SAME PROBLEMS DUE TO FACT THAT VWOA USES THE SAME PART ON THESE CARS. ALSO FOUND A SAFETY RECALL W/ WWW.ALLDATA.COM WITH TSB # CMPGSD ISSUED MAY 1992 RE: HEATER CORE.
Aug 31, 2000
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL CAMPAIGN SK IN NOVEMBER 1999 DATED AUGUST 1993, HOWEVER NOT ABLE TO RECEIVE REPAIR DUE TO LACK OF KITS AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. (92V-058) *MJS
Nov 1, 1999
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Switch/wiring
WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL SWITCH FELL OFF DUE TO WEAK MATERIAL. MJS
Feb 9, 1999
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
HEATER CORE FAILED POURING HOT COOLANT INTO PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR AND STEAM POURING THROUGH VENTS.
Aug 28, 1998
Structure › Body › Bumpers
WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY THE FRONT BUMPER FELL OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THE BUMPER IS BEING HELD ON BY BUNGEE CORDS AT THIS TIME. *AK
Apr 14, 1998
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
ALTERNATOR/AIR CONDITIONER BELTS REPLACED. *AW
May 17, 1995
Electrical system › IgnitionCrash1 injury
DRIVING VEHICLE AT SPEED 40 MPH, HAD COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER, IMPACT 3:00 POSITION. TT
May 6, 1995

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

NHTSA defect investigations

DETACHMENT OF BUMPER COVERClosed
There is no summary currently available
EA93008 · opened Mar 3, 1993 · closed Sep 17, 1993
DETACHMENT OF BUMPER COVERClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE92089 · opened Dec 17, 1992 · closed Mar 3, 1993