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1991 Volkswagen Golf

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 Golf.

Transmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1991 Volkswagen Golf sits at the quieter end of a model line whose complaint history now stretches from 1990 through 2023, having logged just 11 total owner complaints and 3 recalls — a figure that contrasts sharply with the nameplate's 2017 peak of 187 complaints. Mechanically, this model year pairs a 3-speed automatic transmission with EPA fuel economy of 21 city, 26 highway, and 23 combined mpg, and its service schedule calls for 3.7 quarts of engine oil in 20W-40, 20W-50, or 20W-20 API grades. The leading complaint area for the year was visibility, though even that registered as a minor issue against the 1-complaint low the model would later reach in 2008. For researchers tracking the Golf's reliability arc, 1991 emerges as one of the most favorable data points in the modern record.

Model year2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 1994 1993 1992 1991

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.7 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type20W-40 / 20W-50 / 20W-20 APIOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy21/26/23 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 3-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	157.9 in
Overall width	65.4 in
Overall height	55.9 in
Wheelbase	97.2 in
Curb weight	2194 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)	60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	21 / 26 / 23 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Golf of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.10 sec — 1994 LE 3-door Hatchback

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1994	LE 3-door Hatchback 2.0L I-4	9.10 sec	17.00 sec	115 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.7 qt of 20W-40 / 20W-50 / 20W-20 API engine oil, GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil	GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.7 Pints
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	API · 20W-40 · 20W-50 · 20W-20
Engine Oil Capacity	3.7 qt
Engine Oil	API · 20W-40 · 20W-50 · 20W-20
Engine Oil Capacity	3.7 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi.

At 7,500 mi	Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Door Stop (lubricate)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Oxygen Sensor (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1991 Volkswagen Golf sits in the middle of its Mk2 generation, where federal complaint data shows a modest peak of 11 complaints compared to 10 in 1990 and 6 in 1992. Recalls and investigations trended downward across these three years, from 5 to 3 to 2 and from 3 to 2 to 0, respectively, suggesting that early issues were being resolved. However, technical service bulletins (TSBs) spiked to 14 in 1991 from just 2 the year before, indicating that the manufacturer issued a notable number of service advisories—though the data does not specify root causes. The top complaint areas for 1991 were visibility (4) and electrical system (3), with one crash-related complaint and no fires reported. Overall, the 1991 model year appears to be a relatively stable choice within the generation, but a pre-purchase inspection should verify that any TSB-related items have been addressed.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90’91’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’23

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 11 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Visibility4

Electrical System3

Vehicle Speed Control1

Fuel System, Gasoline1

Structure1

Engine & Engine Cooling1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E018000Service Brakes, HydraulicReported 01/03/2006

CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, P/N 171.611.107B, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1975-1985 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RABBIT; 1985-1992 VW GOLF; AND 1980-1992 VW JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD OCCUR… Remedy: FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE BRAKE HOSES WITH COMPLIANT BRAKE HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREIGN PARTS…

92V058000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 14/04/1992

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. Remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 14 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
SM 33-2019	2019-03-27	Equipment	The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria…
SM 44-2017 EN	2017-06-28	Equipment	This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the…
VHW-17-11	2017-06-22	Equipment	VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide
1-2017 Update	2017-02-01	Equipment	This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest…
V691601 2010479	2016-10-31	Equipment	Update model year applicability to include 2017.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Golf. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 3.7 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1991 Golf take?

3.7 qt of ABOVE 68 degrees F: 40W API SL, 32 degrees F TO 86 degrees F: 30W API SL, ABOVE 14 degrees F: 20W-40, 20W-50 API SL, 14 degrees F TO 50 degrees F: 20W-20 API SL, BELOW 25 degrees F: 10W API (STARBU, per the factory manual.

Does the 1991 Golf have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Golf get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined mpg.