1991 Volkswagen Passat
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1991 Volkswagen Passat is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1,295 on record.
1991 Volkswagen Passat at a glance
Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1991 Volkswagen Passat recalls 1
THE VENTURI TUBE LOCATED IN THE THROTTLE VALVE HOUSING CAN BECOME LOOSE AND FALL AGAINST THE THROTTLE PLATE.
Fix: REPLACE THE PRESS-FIT VENTURI TUBE WITH A THREAD TYPE TUBE.
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 Passat common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1991 Volkswagen Passat MPG & running costs
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 Passat costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
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.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1991 Volkswagen Passat — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
Manufacturer service bulletins 17
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be free. Showing the 10 most recent of 17.
The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
Bulletin SM 33-2019 · Equipment · Mar 2019This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
Bulletin SM 44-2017 EN · Equipment · Jun 2017VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide
Bulletin VHW-17-11 · Equipment · Jun 2017This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests.
Bulletin 1-2017 Update · Equipment · Feb 2017Update model year applicability to include 2017.
Bulletin V691601 2010479 · Equipment · Oct 2016Airbag Issues.
Bulletin Airbag · Air Bags · Jan 2016This 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.
Bulletin Elsa 6-29-15 · Equipment · Jun 2015This 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, up…
Bulletin Elsa 6-22-15 · Equipment · Jun 2015Assembly Instructions: Installation of original remote start feature accessory, Volkswagen Passat.
Bulletin 561 065 760 A as · Electrical System · Aug 2014Passat 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
Bulletin PDI - PASSAT TEC · Equipment · Jul 2013Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the PASSAT. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 1
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1991 Volkswagen Passat. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, 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, in…
Transport Canada #2002239 · Dec 2002Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Volkswagen Passat
The Volkswagen Passat is a nameplate of large family cars (D-segment) manufactured and marketed by the German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen since 1973 and also marketed variously as the Dasher, Santana, Quantum, Magotan, Corsar and Carat — in saloon, estate, and hatchback body styles. With sales of 34 million units worldwide, the Passat is the fourth best-selling automobile of all time.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
1991 Volkswagen Passat vehicles on record
Other Volkswagen Passat model years
1991 Volkswagen Passat — frequently asked questions
Does the 1991 Volkswagen Passat have any safety recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1991 Volkswagen Passat. 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 Passat?
Across all 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, visibility, fuel system.
What gas mileage does the 1991 Volkswagen Passat get?
The 1991 Volkswagen Passat has a U.S. EPA estimate of 21 mpg combined (18 city / 27 highway).
Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.