1991 Volkswagen Passat
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Volkswagen › Passat › 1991
These records cover every 1991 Volkswagen Passat. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1991 Volkswagen Passat. Newest first.
The venturi tube located in the throttle valve housing can become loose and fall against the throttle plate.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The venturi tube can partially block the throttle plateand prevent it from returning to its full idle position, resulting in unwantedengine speed when the vehicle IS placed in a forward or reverse gear.
Remedy
Replace the press-fit venturi tube with a thread type tube.
Owner complaints
24 complaints1 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- 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.
- 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
- 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. *yh
- 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…
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
- Power train
Odometer millage IS turned back. Yh
- 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. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling · 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. *ak
- 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. *ak
- 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…
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
- 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. *ak
- 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. *ak
- 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.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
Timing belt broke causing damage to valves on two occasions.
- 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. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Master cylinder has an internal hydraulic leak which may lead to a brake failure.
- 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. *ak
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element
Interior heating core broke, causing smoke to fill the car while driving. Also, heater fan motor switch failed.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor
The vehicle's timing chain broke, causing vehicle to stall and extensive damage to vehicle.
- Seat belts
Motorized seat belts failed, opened while driving and stayed open. *ak
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element
Was driving and smoke came out of the ventilation switch . Please describe . *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Vehicle can be put into gear from park without key in ignition due to lack of interlock system. *Dsh
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
The driver and passenger side seat retractors sometimes don't work . tt
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element
Fan switch IS burning out on defroster/heater, melting the selector face. tt
- Electrical system · Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Shock occurs to anyone touching body of car, due to possible electric short.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10213836Airbag Issues.
- 10159010The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10157383VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide
- 10155644This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
- 10128105This 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 suggestions.
- 10128104This 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 bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, updates, and suggestions.
- 10128055This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests.
- 10126785Update model year applicability to include 2017.
- 10125848Passat Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections: A checklist to insure a customer receives a wonderful delivery of a vehicle that looks, feels, and meets the expectations of a new vehicle that he/she has purchased
- 10125762Passat Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections: A checklist to insure a customer receives a wonderful delivery of a vehicle that looks, feels, and meets the expectations of a new vehicle that he/she has purchased
- 10124454Assembly Instructions: Installation of original remote start feature accessory, Volkswagen Passat.
- 10026848Volkswagen: 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, replaced.
- 53613Information obtaining the fluid capacity chart.
- 53604Conditions with engine intermittently will not start.
Every Volkswagen Passat model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.