The 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 387,500 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
EQUIPMENT93V1750001993-10-2929,500 affected
Defect
THE PLASTIC MATERIAL OF THE CENTER AIR FLOW DUCT, WHICH IS FASTENED BY TWO MOUNTING SCREWS TO THE CEILING OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, CAN CRACK AND EVENTUALLY BREAK.
Consequence
IF THE PLASTIC BREAKS WHERE IT IS HELD AT THE TWOMOUNTING SCREWS, THE CENTER AIR FLOW DUCT CAN SEPARATE FROM ITS SUPPORTS ANDCAUSE INJURY TO THE PASSENGERS SITTING IN THE CENTER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT PLATE AT THE CONNECTIONS OF BOTH THE CENTER AND REAR AIR FLOW DUCTS.
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
1fires
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
2
TIRES
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
Total complaints9
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1988 volkswagen vanagon (n/a) equipped with kumho radial 857 tires, size: 185/75r14c. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the rear passenger tire tread became detached, causing a blow out. The vehicle was towed to a local tire shop where the mechanic advised that…”
“My hankook ra08 195r14c tire side wall blew out as I was traveling south bound on I-110 at approx. 65 mph. There was no indication that the event was to happen as the tire did not seem deflated when I get into the vehicle in the morning. I took a picture of the blewout tire, and I still have the…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 volkswagen vanagon. The vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign id number: 93v175000 (equipment:electrical:air conditioner) and was repaired. After the repair the contact was driving approximately 35 mph when he drove over a bump in the road and the air conditioning unit…”
“Same as mentioned in manufacturer's recall 6836 affecting air conditioner:hose:duct:air. *ak”
“Engine problems.”
“Engine fire totally destroyed vehicle. *ak”
“Vehicle fire, originating under the dash. Vehicle was totaled. *ak”
“Only in heavy rain down pour the engine loses power. Tt”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA91026 Opened 1991-06-04 · closed 1992-01-27
SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE93043 Opened 1993-05-05 · closed 1993-10-29
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 Vanagon as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.