1991 Volkswagen Passat: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 30 complaints
30
Total Complaints
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
Top Issue
0
Crash Reports

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
3
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
2
POWER TRAIN
2
SEAT BELTS
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
1

Severity Assessment

0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"FRONT/REAR POWER WINDOWS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING WINDOWS TO FALL DOWN. *SKD"
"SHOCK OCCURS TO ANYONE TOUCHING BODY OF CAR, DUE TO POSSIBLE ELECTRIC SHORT."
"FAN SWITCH IS BURNING OUT ON DEFROSTER/HEATER, MELTING THE SELECTOR FACE. TT"

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28