Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 3 of 7 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
7 reports
87,000 miles · Jun 3, 2016
Fuel/propulsion 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 MIL…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10872359
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2016
Fuel/propulsion 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 F…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #10823106
80,000 miles · Aug 12, 2008
Fuel System, GasolineInjury
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
NHTSA ODI #10237911
126,000 miles · Jun 10, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
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
NHTSA ODI #10021326
Mileage unknown · May 18, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
GAS STARTING LEAKING AT THE SEAM OF THE TANK. THIS CAN CAUSE THE AUTOMOBILE TO EXPLODE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #862132
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
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.
NHTSA ODI #710713
Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 1996
Fuel System, Gasoline
GAS TANK IS LEAKING AT SEAM, CAN SMELL GASOLINE COMING INTO ENGINE, FIRE HAZARD. *AK
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 & remedy
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.
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1991 Volkswagen Cabrio Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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