Model year guide

1991 Volkswagen GOLF

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1991 Volkswagen GOLF is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 275 on record.

1991 Volkswagen GOLF at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints11
Combined23–25 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1991 Volkswagen GOLF recalls 3

Service Brakes, Hydraulic NHTSA Campaign #06E018000 · manufacturer #171.611.701B · 01/03/2006

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."

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, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #93V129000 · 02/08/1993

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PREHEATING TUBE SUPPORT BRACKET TO ENSURE PROPER POSITIONING RELATIVE TO THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #92V058000 · 14/04/1992

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.

Fix: REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 7 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1991 Volkswagen GOLF common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

1991 Volkswagen GOLF MPG & running costs

Combined23–25 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway28 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,800
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume87 cu ft
Cargo volume18 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$2,000 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1991 Volkswagen GOLF costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,000
Fuel only$14,000
Per mile$0.19

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1991 Volkswagen GOLF vehicles on record

1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW080588 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW092828 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW354945 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1HZNW043979 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW675887 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW655256 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZNW167734 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW448504 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW413811 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW425595 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW391962 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW416459 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW815059 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW689545 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW033530 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1HZNW043992 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW485681 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW456068 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW203924 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW802156 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW212135 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW492087 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW181055 1991 Volkswagen GOLFWVWZZZ1GZMW622903

Other Volkswagen GOLF model years

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1991 Volkswagen GOLF — frequently asked questions

Does the 1991 Volkswagen GOLF have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1991 Volkswagen GOLF. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1991 Volkswagen GOLF?

Across all 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are visibility, electrical system, vehicle speed control.

What gas mileage does the 1991 Volkswagen GOLF get?

The 1991 Volkswagen GOLF has U.S. EPA estimates of 23–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.