The 1991 Volkswagen Golf has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 434,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the visibility. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC93V1290001993-08-0276,000 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
DIMINISHED BRAKING CAN RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PREHEATING TUBE SUPPORT BRACKET TO ENSURE PROPER POSITIONING RELATIVE TO THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
1
Total complaints11
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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”
“Windshield wiper control switch fell off due to weak material. Mjs”
“Heater core failed pouring hot coolant into passenger side floor and steam pouring through vents.”
“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”
“Alternator/air conditioner belts replaced. *aw”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA93008 Opened 1993-03-03 · closed 1993-09-17
DETACHMENT OF BUMPER COVER
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE92089 Opened 1992-12-17 · closed 1993-03-03
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1991 Volkswagen Golf as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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