1991 Volkswagen Cabrio recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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.
What could happen: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The fix: REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1991 CABRIO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 92V058000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: 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.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL LINES. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
2. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. 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.
What could happen: THE ENLARGED OPENING OF THE MOUNTING HOLE RESULTS INFRONT WHEEL MISALIGNMENT CAUSING STEERING PULL WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR ANACCIDENT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS WHERE NECESSARY.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1991 CABRIO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 92V064000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
Summary: 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.
Consequence: THE ENLARGED OPENING OF THE MOUNTING HOLE RESULTS INFRONT WHEEL MISALIGNMENT CAUSING STEERING PULL WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR ANACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS WHERE NECESSARY.
Notes: SYSTEM: SUSPENSION.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
3. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. 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.
What could happen: INTERFERENCE WITH THE FREE MOVEMENT OF THE ACCELERATORLINKAGE COULD RESULT IN UNWANTED ACCELERATION WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: INSTALL REINFORCEMENT BRACKET TO SECURE SEPARATOR PANEL.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1991 CABRIO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 91V162000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: 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.
Consequence: INTERFERENCE WITH THE FREE MOVEMENT OF THE ACCELERATORLINKAGE COULD RESULT IN UNWANTED ACCELERATION WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL REINFORCEMENT BRACKET TO SECURE SEPARATOR PANEL.
Notes: SYSTEM: THROTTLE LINKAGE.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1991 Volkswagen Cabrio owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (7), Gasoline (5), Equipment (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
06/03/2016 · Fuel 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.
01/29/2016 · Fuel 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.
08/12/2008 · Fuel system
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
06/10/2003 · Fuel system
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
05/18/2000 · Fuel system
GAS STARTING LEAKING AT THE SEAM OF THE TANK. THIS CAN CAUSE THE AUTOMOBILE TO EXPLODE. *AK
08/30/1999 · Fuel system
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.
07/23/1996 · Fuel system
GAS TANK IS LEAKING AT SEAM, CAN SMELL GASOLINE COMING INTO ENGINE, FIRE HAZARD. *AK
09/22/1994 · Equipment
AIR CONDITIONING FAILURE, CAUSING HOT AIR TO BLOW OUT OF THE SIDE VENTS INSTEAD OF COOL AIR. *SKD